BIM and Quantity Surveying - Practical Guide for Quantity Surveyors

In this review of BIM and Quantity Surveying the bottom line is clear: this is a practical, project-focused guide for quantity surveyors and students who need to understand how Building Information Modelling changes everyday cost, tendering and appraisal work. It assumes readers want actionable direction rather than theory and delivers case studies and workflow advice that show how to integrate BIM into quantity surveying tasks on live projects. For practitioners preparing for BIM compliance, this book is a concise, useful reference.

Key Features

• Practical focus: Case studies illustrate how firms have embedded quantity surveying responsibilities such as cost estimating into BIM-enabled projects.
• Role guidance: Explains how BIM redefines stakeholder roles so quantity surveyors can prepare for new responsibilities on collaborative projects.
• Process integration: Describes how routine tasks like tendering and development appraisal work within BIM workflows for clearer decision making.
• Student-friendly: Written to help students and new practitioners understand the real-world implications of BIM for their career preparation.
• Project management implications: Covers how BIM affects project management duties and coordination with other disciplines.

Who It's For

Quantity surveyors already working on building projects who need to adapt their estimating, tendering and appraisal processes to BIM will find practical guidance and relevant case studies. The book is also aimed at students and early-career professionals seeking a realistic primer on how BIM changes commercial and contractual practice.

Those looking for an in-depth technical manual on BIM authoring software or an exhaustive specification for model data exchange should look elsewhere; this title concentrates on the surveying and commercial implications rather than software tutorials.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear case studies show how established firms have applied BIM to cost estimating in real projects.
• Useful for practitioners preparing for BIM compliance and evolving contractual roles.
• Accessible language makes it suitable for students as well as experienced surveyors.

Cons

• Does not serve as a step-by-step software guide for specific BIM tools, focusing instead on process and roles.

Specifications

Title	BIM and Quantity Surveying
Authors	Steve Pittard, Peter Sell
Subject focus	Building Information Modelling for quantity surveying
Key topics	Cost estimating, tendering, development appraisal, project management
Audience	Quantity surveyors, students, practitioners
Approach	Case studies and practical guidance

Our Verdict

For quantity surveyors and students who must adapt to BIM, this book is a sensible, value-focused guide that connects traditional commercial duties to BIM workflows. It avoids software minutiae and instead gives practical examples and role guidance that help readers prepare for BIM-compliant projects and improved collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book teach BIM software?
Answer. No, it focuses on the implications of BIM for quantity surveying practice rather than step-by-step software instruction.

Is it suitable for students?
Answer. Yes, it is written to help students understand how BIM affects estimating, tendering and appraisal in real projects.

Will it help with contract and project management changes?
Answer. Yes, the book outlines project management and role changes related to BIM so practitioners can prepare for collaborative workflows.