Why it pays to interview a quantity surveyor
A quantity surveyor can be invaluable on a renovation, new build, or major repair job. They help you understand what a project should cost, assess builders’ quotes, track variations, and manage budgets so you can make better decisions before work starts and while it’s underway.
In New Zealand, where labour and material costs can move quickly and council requirements vary by region, a good quantity surveyor can save you money and stress. But not every QS offers the same level of service. Before you hire one, ask clear questions so you know exactly what you’re paying for, how they work, and whether they’re the right fit for your job.
Start with the basics: are they the right type of quantity surveyor?
Quantity surveying covers a few different kinds of work. Some QSs specialise in residential estimating and cost planning, while others focus on commercial projects, dispute resolution, feasibility studies, or construction claims.
Ask:
- What type of projects do you usually work on? - Do you specialise in new builds, renovations, insurance work, or cost planning? - Have you worked on projects similar to mine in size, style and location? - Do you mainly work for homeowners, builders, developers, or insurers?
Why this matters: a QS who mostly works on large commercial jobs may be excellent technically, but not necessarily the best fit for a family renovation in Wellington, a villa reclad in Auckland, or a new build in a smaller regional centre.
Ask about qualifications, membership and professional standing
In New Zealand, quantity surveyors are not a licensed trade in the same way as electricians or plumbers. That means you need to look at qualifications, professional memberships and practical experience rather than a government licence.
Useful questions include:
- What qualifications do you hold? - Are you a member of a recognised professional body, such as the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)? - How long have you been working as a quantity surveyor? - Will the person I meet be the person doing the work, or will it be delegated? - Have you dealt with disputes, variations or contract administration before?
If you’re relying on their numbers for finance, tender comparison or a dispute, membership of a professional body and relevant experience can be a good sign of competence and accountability.
Clarify exactly what services are included
“Quantity surveyor” can mean different things on different jobs. Some provide a one-off estimate; others offer a full cost plan, progress claims, variation reviews and final account reconciliation.
Ask them to spell out their scope:
- Will you prepare a feasibility estimate or detailed cost plan? - Do you check builders’ quotes against drawings and specifications? - Will you review progress claims during the build? - Can you assess and price variations as the job changes? - Do you prepare final accounts at the end of the project? - Will you attend site meetings if needed? - Do you provide advice on procurement or contract selection?
Get the scope in writing. A cheap quote for “QS services” can become expensive if it excludes the exact work you need.
Ask how they will price the job
QS fees can be charged in different ways: fixed fee, hourly rate, percentage of project value, or a combination. Make sure you know what the fee includes and what costs extra.
Questions to ask:
- How do you charge for your services? - Is your fee fixed, hourly, or based on project value? - What is included in that fee? - What would be billed as an extra? - Are site visits, phone calls, reports, and revisions included? - Do you charge for travel, printing or additional meetings? - Will I receive an estimate of total fees before you start?
A simple fee table can help you compare quotes:
| Fee question | What to check | |---|---| | Fixed fee | Best for clearly defined work, but confirm what happens if the scope changes | | Hourly rate | Ask for an estimate of total hours and likely extras | | Percentage fee | Useful on larger jobs, but ask what project value it is based on | | Additional charges | Check for travel, admin, urgent work and extra reports |
Always ask for a written proposal. If the scope changes — for example, if the council requires design revisions or your builder prices extra work — you want to know how that affects the fee.
Find out what information they need from you
A good QS will ask for plans, specifications and a clear brief. If they are vague about what they need, that can lead to a poor estimate.
Ask:
- What documents do you need from me to prepare an accurate estimate? - Do you work from concept drawings, consent plans, or final construction drawings? - Do you want specifications, engineer’s details, geotechnical reports, or product selections? - How much does the estimate improve once the design is more complete? - What assumptions will you make if some details are still undecided?
This is especially important in New Zealand, where site conditions, transport costs, timber pricing, and access issues can vary a lot between regions. A rough estimate based on incomplete plans is useful, but it should not be treated as a fixed build price.
Check their experience with local councils, consents and NZ compliance issues
A quantity surveyor is not the person who grants consent, but they should understand how local council processes and compliance requirements affect cost and timing.
Ask:
- Have you worked with projects that needed a building consent? - Do you understand how consent conditions can affect the budget? - Are you familiar with common NZ compliance issues such as fire safety, insulation, weathertightness and accessibility requirements where relevant? - Have you worked on projects that involved engineers, architects, designers or other consultants?
It’s also worth remembering that some work is regulated outside QS practice:
- Electrical work is regulated by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). - Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are restricted work under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). - Building work may require a building consent from your local council, depending on the scope.
A competent QS should factor these realities into their budget and programme, not ignore them.
Ask about cost accuracy and what drives variation
No QS can guarantee an exact final cost on a project that is still being designed. What they can do is explain the assumptions behind their numbers and how accurate they expect the estimate to be.
Ask:
- How accurate is this estimate likely to be at this stage? - What are the biggest cost risks in my project? - Which parts of the build usually cause budget blowouts? - How do you allow for unknowns or provisional sums? - How do you handle inflation or price escalation if the build is delayed? - What happens if the design changes after you’ve priced it?
This is a crucial question in New Zealand’s current market, where prices for labour and materials can shift and tradies can be booked out months ahead, especially in busy seasons.
Ask how they compare and review builders’ quotes
If you’re getting multiple quotes from builders, a QS can help you compare “apples with apples”. But not all QSs do this in the same way.
Ask:
- Will you review and compare multiple builders’ quotes for me? - Will you identify missing items, allowances or exclusions? - Do you check whether the quotes match the plans and specifications? - Can you explain whether a quote is realistic or unusually low? - Will you help me understand provisional sums and prime cost items?
A very low quote can look attractive, but it may hide missing work, underpriced allowances or future variations. A QS can help you spot those risks before you sign a contract.
Check timelines and availability
Timing matters. If your project is tied to school holidays, weather windows, moving dates or finance approval, you need to know when the QS can actually deliver.
Ask:
- When can you start? - How long will the estimate or report take? - How many revisions are included? - How quickly do you usually respond to questions? - Are you available for updates during the build if needed? - Do you work to a formal programme or timeline?
In New Zealand, weather can also affect timing. Exterior work often slows over winter, and wet conditions can affect site works, foundations and access. A good QS should be realistic about this when discussing cost and programme.
Ask about insurance, liability and professional protection
Don’t assume the QS is covered for every scenario. Ask what insurance they carry and what protections are in place if something goes wrong.
Questions to ask:
- Do you hold professional indemnity insurance? - Do you have public liability insurance? - What is covered, and what are the limits? - Are there any exclusions I should know about? - If there is an error in your estimate, how is that handled?
Insurance won’t guarantee a perfect result, but it does show the business takes professional risk seriously.
Ask for references and recent examples
References are one of the most useful checks you can make. You want to hear from people who used the QS for a project like yours, not just long-ago clients.
Ask:
- Can you provide references from recent residential clients? - Have you worked on projects similar to mine in the last 12 months? - Can I see a sample report or estimate, with personal details removed? - Do you have a portfolio or case studies I can review?
When you speak to references, ask whether the QS was easy to deal with, accurate, responsive and able to explain costs in plain language.
Ask what happens if the project changes or there’s a dispute
Renovations and builds often change. Unexpected site conditions, design revisions and council requests can all affect cost. It helps to know how the QS handles change.
Ask:
- How do you document variations? - Will you update the budget as the job progresses? - Can you help if there’s a disagreement with the builder over costs? - Do you provide support with claims or dispute resolution? - How do you keep a record of changes?
If your job is likely to involve contract administration or contested costs, you want a QS who is calm, organised and willing to document everything carefully.
Red flags to watch for before you hire
Be cautious if a quantity surveyor:
- won’t put their scope or fee in writing - promises a “guaranteed” final cost without seeing proper documents - is vague about qualifications or experience - has no references or sample work - adds lots of hidden extras after the fact - cannot explain provisional sums, exclusions or assumptions clearly - seems unfamiliar with NZ consent or compliance basics
A professional QS should be willing to answer questions clearly and provide documentation upfront.
Your pre-hire checklist
Before signing anything, make sure you have:
- a written scope of work - a clear fee structure in NZD - a list of exclusions and assumptions - an estimated delivery timeframe - evidence of professional indemnity insurance - recent references - confirmation of qualifications or professional membership where relevant - details of how variations and extra charges will be handled
Final tip: compare more than price
When hiring a quantity surveyor, the cheapest quote is not always the best value. Look at experience, communication, local knowledge, and the level of detail they provide. For a renovation or new build in New Zealand, a good QS should help you make better decisions, avoid expensive surprises and keep your project financially on track.
Take the time to ask the right questions before you hire. It can make a real difference to your budget, your stress levels and the overall success of the job.