Construction cameras for quantity surveying

[edit] Importance of construction cameras to quantity surveyors

Construction projects that want to control cost, time and material often employ a quantity surveyor. The role of a quantity surveyor varies from one construction site to another but might cover; contracts, cost forecasting and cash flow, payments, valuations for the work done to date, and so on.

To facilitate theses tasks, it is important for contractors to work in tandem with quantity surveyors to capture as much data from their site as possible. Visual documentation can play an important role in establishing variations in costs on site, deliveries, disputes and waste management. Construction cameras can provide quantity surveyors with a tool that captures every moment of the construction process and can be used to support the required work.

[edit] Liability lawsuits

Disputes are common in construction projects. Construction cameras can ensure all site activities are visually documented. If claims arise the quantity surveyor can verify such claims by going back to the recorded clips of the said day and time to ascertain before raising/lowering the value for works done. Software available can scan an image and make a comparison to the current status against a past selected dates, which can help to verify any claims.

[edit] Extended valuation overview

One of the main functions of the contractor’s quantity surveyor is to ensure that payment for works done on site are timely and paid in full. For most contractors, interim valuations and certificates form their only source of income, from which they fund the whole of their building operation. In general, building contracts provide within their conditions regular and timely payments to the contractor. This includes the physical measurement of the work on the site and materials delivered. The valuation for interim certificates should be made as accurately as is reasonably possible, and the contractor is entitled under the terms of the contract to the full value of work executed on site, less a specified retention sum.

This particular QS role has had its own share of challenges following the ‘new norm’ of operating in the pandemic. Such a challenge as ensuring little to no human contact as per the covid-19 regulations affects physical measurement of the works on site. With installation of construction cameras, the QS is provided with an extended overview of the construction progress.

[edit] Time and materials

One of the key concerns of a developer is ensuring that the desired building is constructed within budget and on time, which involes monitoring and controlling costs and use of materials throughout the duration of a construction project. Installing a construction camera on site goes a long way to contribute to achieving this goal, along with supporting software. A QS ican potentially tell the quantity of earthworks done by a particular date, the type of vehicles that enter and exit the site and what material has been brought on site. This helps the QS to calculate the amount of material used so far and how much more may be needed as per the projections in the bill of quantities.

[edit] Budget tracking

A quantity surveyor might be in charge of the budget, cameras can provide h a systematic way of overseeing the project remotely and minimise risks as they arise. Hi quality cameras allow for digital zoom of up to 18-times alowing details checks and balances.

[edit] Monitoring progress

Variations and modifications of initial designs will affect the cost of the project. The QS ensures that the information provided by BIM is consistent with the design. Construction cameras can have BIM integration facilitating the ability to monitor consistency of design or ensure that any changes are reflected in all associated contract documents, and cost checks.

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