Site Quantity Surveyor (Project QS)
Luxury Development – 15 Units
Location: Chelmsford
Contract: Full-time, Fixed Term (18–24 months)
Reporting to: Development Director
Project Overview
High-quality self-build development of 15 new-build luxury lakehouses (£1.5m+ GDV per unit), constructed in phased, rolling sequence with multiple trade subcontract packages. Developer acting as self-builder. Mixed contract forms to suit package complexity (JCT and simplified trade contracts).
Role Summary
The Site Quantity Surveyor is the commercial lead for the project, responsible for full-cycle cost management, procurement, and subcontract administration across all trade packages. The role combines strong site presence with office-based commercial control, ensuring delivery within budget, to programme, and to the required quality.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial & Cost Management
Overall responsibility for budget control, cost reporting, and cashflow forecasting
Maintain live cost plan, committed cost tracker, and forecast final accounts
Identify cost risks, overspends, and value engineering opportunities
Weekly budget and package transfer reporting to Development Director and funder
Procurement & Tendering
Break project into trade packages and prepare tender documentation
Produce scopes, BoQs / schedules, tender instructions and programmes
Manage tender process, RFIs, addenda and bid returns
Tender analysis, comparison, and recommendation reporting
Negotiate scope, price, and programme
Prepare CSAs and assemble subcontract agreements
Let packages on rolling basis aligned with phasing
Contract Administration
Select appropriate contract form per package (JCT or simplified trade)
Issue and manage contractual notices
Maintain complete audit trail of contracts, variations, and correspondence
Manage extensions of time, claims, and commercial risk
Valuations & Payments
Monthly site measurement and valuation of completed works
Verify subcontractor applications against progress
Maintain detailed valuation spreadsheets (claims, adjustments, disputes, recommendation)
Issue Payment Notices / Pay Less Notices in line with legislation
Coordinate with finance for timely payment
Variations & Instructions
Capture, log, and price all variations and site instructions
Negotiate costs prior to instruction wherever possible
Maintain variation logs per package
Weekly Early Warnings and instruction status reporting
Site Interface
Regular site walks to verify progress
Attend site and coordination meetings
Work closely with Site Managers and Site Coordinator
Ensure commercial alignment with programme and sequencing
Final Accounts
Prepare and agree final accounts for each package
Reconcile contract sum, variations, PS adjustments, and deductions
Issue Final Payment Certificates
Manage retention release
Produce overall project final account report
Experience & Profile
5+ years’ Quantity Surveying experience
Strong residential / housing project background preferred
Proven experience managing multiple trade packages
Strong knowledge of JCT and subcontract administration
Excellent commercial, analytical, and negotiation skills
Highly organised, proactive, and comfortable in site-based role
Strong communicator with professional approach to dispute resolution