Quantity Surveyor Job Description in the GCC: Roles, Requirements & Responsibilities

Quantity Surveyor Role Overview

Quantity surveyors in the GCC region are essential professionals within one of the world's most active construction markets. The Gulf states are executing infrastructure and real estate mega-projects at an extraordinary scale — Saudi Arabia's NEOM (estimated USD 500 billion), Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport expansion, Qatar's Lusail City development, Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island cultural district, and Kuwait's Silk City. These projects, alongside continuous commercial and residential development, create relentless demand for qualified quantity surveyors who can manage construction costs effectively.

The GCC construction market was valued at over USD 350 billion in 2025 and continues to grow, driven by government-funded infrastructure (metro systems, airports, seaports), real estate development (Emaar, Aldar, DAMAC, Dar Al Arkan), hospitality construction (thousands of new hotel rooms for Saudi Arabia's tourism targets), and energy sector projects (ADNOC's capacity expansion, QatarEnergy's LNG facilities). This volume of construction activity makes the GCC the single largest market for quantity surveying professionals outside of China.

Quantity surveyors in the Gulf work across three primary settings: client-side (developer or government entity), contractor-side (main contractors like Arabtec, Al Habtoor, Saudi Binladin Group, Al Bawani), and consultant-side (cost consultancies like AECOM, Currie & Brown, Faithful+Gould, Turner & Townsend, Rider Levett Bucknall). Each setting offers different responsibilities, career trajectories, and compensation structures, but all require deep knowledge of construction cost management within the GCC's unique project delivery and contractual environment.

As of 2026, the GCC employs an estimated 80,000 quantity surveyors and cost professionals, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia representing approximately 80% of demand. The profession draws heavily from the UK, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Egypt, and Jordan, reflecting the UK-influenced contractual frameworks (FIDIC contracts are standard) that underpin GCC construction.

Key Responsibilities

A quantity surveyor in the GCC manages the financial aspects of construction projects from feasibility through completion and final account:

Pre-Contract / Cost Planning

• Prepare cost estimates and feasibility studies for proposed developments. In the GCC, this includes understanding local material costs, labour rates (which vary significantly between UAE and Saudi Arabia), and the impact of extreme climate on construction methodology and costs (summer working restrictions, concrete cooling requirements).
• Develop bills of quantities (BOQ) using standard methods of measurement — typically NRM2 (UK), POMI (Middle East adapted), or CESMM4 for civil engineering works. Accurate measurement and BOQ preparation is a core QS competency, and GCC projects can have BOQs running to thousands of pages.
• Conduct market research on material and subcontractor pricing specific to the GCC market. Material costs fluctuate significantly in the region due to import dependency (the GCC imports most construction materials), shipping costs, and customs duties.
• Prepare tender documents and evaluate contractor bids including pricing analysis, qualifications review, and recommendation reports. GCC tendering processes often involve pre-qualification, technical and commercial evaluation stages, and negotiations with shortlisted contractors.

Contract Administration

• Administer construction contracts — FIDIC (Red Book, Yellow Book, Silver Book) contracts are the dominant contractual framework in the GCC. Quantity surveyors must have thorough knowledge of FIDIC provisions, particularly regarding variations, extensions of time, and claims management.
• Prepare and assess interim payment certificates (IPCs) by measuring work completed on-site against the contract BOQ. Monthly valuations on large GCC projects can involve certifying works worth tens of millions of dirhams, requiring meticulous measurement and documentation.
• Manage variations and change orders — construction projects in the GCC frequently experience design changes, scope additions, and client-driven modifications. The QS must value variations accurately, negotiate fair prices with contractors, and maintain a comprehensive variation register.
• Process and evaluate contractor claims for additional time and cost, including delay and disruption claims, acceleration claims, and loss and expense claims. GCC construction disputes are common given the complexity and scale of projects, and QS professionals play a central role in claims assessment and settlement.

Cost Control & Reporting

• Monitor project expenditure against budget through monthly cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and anticipated final cost projections. GCC developers and government clients expect detailed cost reporting with variance analysis and risk-adjusted forecasts.
• Prepare cost-to-complete analyses identifying potential overruns early and recommending corrective actions. On multi-billion-dirham projects, even small percentage overruns translate to significant sums requiring executive attention.
• Manage subcontractor accounts including payment applications, retention releases, defects liability period monitoring, and final account settlement. Large GCC projects may involve 50-100+ subcontractor packages requiring individual financial management.
• Produce final accounts at project completion, reconciling all measured works, variations, claims, and adjustments to arrive at a final agreed project cost. GCC final account negotiations can take 1-2 years on complex projects.

Risk & Value Management

• Conduct value engineering exercises to optimize project costs without compromising quality or functionality. Value engineering is particularly important in the GCC where client expectations for quality are high but cost consciousness has increased following market corrections.
• Assess and manage financial risks including currency fluctuation risk (materials priced in USD, EUR, or CNY with contracts in AED or SAR), inflation risk over multi-year project durations, and supply chain disruption risks.
• Support dispute resolution processes including mediation, adjudication, and arbitration. The GCC has established arbitration centres — DIAC (Dubai International Arbitration Centre), SCCA (Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration) — and quantity surveyors frequently serve as expert witnesses or quantum assessors in construction disputes.

Required Qualifications

Education

A bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, Construction Management, or Civil Engineering is the standard requirement. UK-accredited programmes (RICS-accredited degrees) are particularly valued in the GCC given the British-influenced contractual and measurement frameworks used throughout the region. Graduates from UK universities, Sri Lankan institutions (University of Moratuwa), Indian construction management programmes, and Australian quantity surveying programmes form the largest talent pools in GCC QS departments.

A master's degree in Construction Project Management, Construction Law, or a related discipline is preferred for senior positions and provides a pathway to chartered status.

Professional Qualifications

• MRICS (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors): The most valued professional qualification for quantity surveyors in the GCC. RICS membership is often listed as a requirement or strong preference in job postings, particularly at consultancies and client-side roles. The APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) pathway typically takes 2 years of structured training.
• AAIQS / MAIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors): Recognized and valued, particularly at Australian-headquartered consultancies operating in the GCC.
• MCIOB (Chartered Institute of Building): Valued for construction management-focused QS roles.
• PQS (Professional Quantity Surveyor) — various national bodies: Sri Lankan IQSSL, Indian IIQS, and similar national qualifications are recognized alongside international certifications.

Technical Skills

• Cost estimation software: CostX (dominant in GCC consultancies for 2D/3D measurement and estimating), Buildsoft Cubit, QSPlus, and Bluebeam Revu for digital takeoff. Proficiency in at least one dedicated measurement/estimating platform is expected.
• Contract knowledge: Deep understanding of FIDIC contracts (Red Book 1999 and 2017 editions), as well as bespoke amendments commonly used by GCC developers. Knowledge of NEC contracts (growing in use for government projects) is an additional advantage.
• BIM (Building Information Modelling): 5D BIM for cost management is increasingly expected. Understanding of Revit, Navisworks, and BIM extraction tools for quantity takeoff represents a growing skill requirement.
• Microsoft Excel: Advanced proficiency for cost planning, cash flow modelling, and reporting. Excel remains the universal QS tool across all GCC organizations.
• ERP systems: Oracle Primavera (for integration with project scheduling), SAP (for enterprise cost management), and Aconex/Oracle Construction Cloud for document management.

Experience Levels & Salary Ranges

• Graduate QS (0-2 years): Measurement, BOQ preparation, basic valuations. Typical salary: AED 7,000-12,000/month.
• Quantity Surveyor (3-5 years): Independent interim valuations, variation management, cost reporting. Typical salary: AED 12,000-20,000/month.
• Senior Quantity Surveyor (5-10 years): Project cost leadership, claims management, team supervision. Typical salary: AED 20,000-32,000/month.
• Associate Director / Commercial Manager (10-15 years): Multi-project oversight, client relationships, business development. Typical salary: AED 32,000-50,000/month.
• Director / Head of Cost Management (15+ years): Strategic leadership, practice management. Typical salary: AED 50,000-75,000+/month.

Preferred Qualifications

These qualifications provide a competitive edge in the GCC quantity surveying market:

• MRICS chartership: The single most impactful career accelerator for QS professionals in the GCC. RICS members earn 20-35% salary premiums over non-chartered surveyors at equivalent experience levels.
• FIDIC contract specialization: Formal training in FIDIC contract administration (FIDIC-accredited courses) demonstrates contractual expertise critical for GCC practice.
• Claims and dispute resolution experience: Construction disputes are prevalent in the GCC. QS professionals with claims preparation, expert witness, or arbitration support experience are highly valued, particularly at consultancies with dispute resolution practices.
• Arabic language skills: Valuable for reading Arabic-language contracts, government correspondence, and communicating with Arabic-speaking subcontractors and suppliers. Government client projects particularly benefit from Arabic proficiency.
• Sector specialization: Deep experience in high-value sectors — oil and gas facilities, healthcare construction, transportation infrastructure, or high-rise towers — commands premium rates in the GCC.

Work Environment & Benefits

Quantity surveying positions in the GCC offer competitive compensation packages:

• Base salary plus annual bonus (1-3 months at consultancies, often project-completion-linked at contractors)
• Housing allowance (AED 4,000-12,000/month depending on seniority and employer type; contractor-side roles may include site camp accommodation for remote projects)
• Annual flight tickets for employee and dependents
• Health insurance covering employee and family
• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays
• End-of-service gratuity as per labour law
• Professional body fee coverage — many employers pay RICS membership fees and APC support costs
• Company vehicle or transport allowance for site-based roles

Work environments vary: consultant-side QS professionals split time between office and site visits; contractor-side QS staff are often site-based with longer hours and exposure to construction environments; client-side roles are typically office-based with regular project site visits. The standard work week is Sunday to Thursday. During critical project phases (tender submissions, final account negotiations), extended working hours are common.

How to Stand Out as a Candidate

The GCC quantity surveying market is competitive. To differentiate yourself:

• Pursue MRICS chartership: If you are not yet chartered, begin the APC process. It is the single most impactful investment in your GCC QS career, opening doors to senior positions and significantly increasing your earning potential.
• Develop FIDIC expertise: Take FIDIC-accredited courses and seek roles involving contract administration. FIDIC knowledge is non-negotiable for GCC practice.
• Learn BIM/5D skills: As the GCC increasingly mandates BIM on government projects (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar), QS professionals with 5D BIM capability are ahead of the curve.
• Quantify project experience: "Managed cost control on a USD 800M mixed-use development" or "Settled final accounts totalling AED 2.3 billion across 5 projects" demonstrates scale and capability.
• Network through RICS events: RICS Middle East hosts conferences, CPD events, and networking sessions. The RICS GCC network is active and provides direct access to hiring managers at major consultancies and developers.

Sample Quantity Surveyor Job Description Template

Use this template to understand what GCC construction employers are looking for when recruiting quantity surveyors:

Position: Quantity Surveyor / Cost Manager

Department: Commercial / Cost Management
Reports to: Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager / Associate Director
Location: [City], [Country]
Employment Type: Full-time (project-based or permanent)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor to join our [consultancy/contracting/client] team working on [project type — e.g., mixed-use development, infrastructure, hospitality] projects in [City/Country]. You will be responsible for cost management from [pre-contract/post-contract] through to final account on projects valued at AED [X] million to [Y] billion.

What You'll Do

• Prepare cost estimates, bills of quantities, and tender documentation
• Conduct interim valuations and prepare payment certificates
• Manage variations, assess contractor claims, and maintain cost registers
• Prepare monthly cost reports with anticipated final cost projections
• Administer FIDIC contracts and ensure contractual compliance
• Conduct value engineering exercises and advise on cost optimization
• Manage subcontractor accounts and final account settlements
• Support dispute resolution processes and prepare quantum assessments

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, or related discipline
• [X]+ years of quantity surveying experience, with minimum 2 years in the GCC
• MRICS or working towards chartership (strongly preferred)
• Thorough knowledge of FIDIC contracts (Red Book and Yellow Book)
• Proficiency in CostX, Bluebeam, or equivalent measurement software
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for cost modelling and reporting
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail

Nice to Have

• Experience with 5D BIM and digital quantity takeoff
• Claims and dispute resolution experience
• Arabic language proficiency
• Specific sector experience (oil & gas, healthcare, transportation)
• NEC contract knowledge

What We Offer

• Competitive salary + annual performance bonus
• Housing allowance
• Annual flight tickets for employee and family
• Health insurance for family
• 30 days annual leave
• RICS membership fee and APC support
• Professional development and CPD funding

Tailoring Your Resume to Quantity Surveyor Job Descriptions

When applying for QS roles in the GCC, your resume must demonstrate both technical competency and project scale experience:

1. Lead with professional qualifications: Place "MRICS" or "BSc(Hons) Quantity Surveying, working towards MRICS" immediately after your name. In the GCC QS market, chartered status is the primary credential that hiring managers scan for. If you hold MRICS, it should be the most visible element on your resume.
2. Specify project values and types: "Quantity Surveyor — USD 1.2B mixed-use tower, 80 storeys, FIDIC Yellow Book" immediately establishes your experience level. GCC employers think in terms of project scale, and vague descriptions like "commercial building projects" lack impact.
3. Detail contract experience: "Administered FIDIC Red Book 1999, managed 120 variations totalling AED 85M, settled 3 EOT claims" demonstrates contractual competency far more effectively than listing "FIDIC experience" as a skill.
4. List measurement software specifically: "CostX — 5 years, 2D/3D measurement, 15+ project BOQs prepared" or "Bluebeam Revu — daily use for digital takeoff and markup" gives employers confidence in your tool proficiency.
5. Highlight claims experience: If you have prepared or assessed construction claims, detail this prominently. "Prepared contractor's delay and disruption claim valued at AED 45M — settled at AED 32M through negotiation" demonstrates high-value commercial capability that GCC employers actively seek.