Traditional quantity surveying is changing. Previously, the industry relied on manual processes, including manual measurements, calculations, and paper-based documentation, and had limited opportunities for collaboration.

However, technological advancements are now helping to evolve the industry; the likes of AI, cloud-based platforms, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are all shaping and promising to enhance quantity surveying.

Digital transformation can help automate complex tasks, enhance quantity takeoff, improve communication and integration, and improve accuracy, efficiency and sustainability in cost management and project delivery.

At Novus Resolve, we keep up to date with the latest technological advancements and ensure we stay ahead of the curve by understanding how innovation impacts the construction and dispute resolution landscape.

Keep reading to learn more about the role of AI and technology in modern quantity surveying and how it’s changing the industry.

What role is AI playing in modern quantity surveying? AI is transforming quantity surveying in various areas, including planning, design, construction and maintenance. It’s also helping to improve efficiency and sustainability in construction and quantity surveying.

One area AI is simplifying is quantity takeoffs (QTO).

In recent years, the process shifted to software-based tools before progressing to AI. In conventional quantity surveying, surveyors had to manually measure and itemise all materials, components, and labour required for a construction project. This was a time-consuming task, but with the introduction of AI, much of it can now be automated.

By automating QTO estimates, surveyors can enhance their accuracy and establish a stronger foundation for budgeting and planning. Common AI tools for QTO include CostX, Bluebeam and Kreo.

Quantity surveying is also changing thanks to AI and predictive analytics. Predictive analytics is helping enhance risk assessments, cost estimation and time management.

By using AI in this way, quantity surveyors can review historical data to predict potential risks, determine if cost overruns might occur, and, as a result, optimise the use of resources during the construction project.

Overall, predictive analytics leads to reduced project delays, accurate cost predictions and increased project efficiency.

Another area AI is improving is contract analysis. Before AI, quantity surveyors and commercial managers needed to invest a significant amount of time and effort reviewing contracts. They had to go through the contracts with a fine-tooth comb and identify potential risks, flag inconsistencies and ensure compliance.

However, thanks to AI, analysing contracts and tender management are two processes that are now streamlined. AI can automate tasks, analyse large volumes of contract data, identify discrepancies and generate accurate reports.

AI can enhance the speed, accuracy, and insight available during these processes, allowing surveyors to focus on more important tasks, such as strategic decision-making.

However, it's not just AI that's shaping the industry; other types of technology are also having a significant impact. For example, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital transformation tool that’s changing how construction projects are designed, priced and delivered across the UK.

BIM is much more than just another 3D modelling tool; it offers real-time collaboration, provides data-driven decision making and ensures smarter workflows. It can also be integrated with AI to capture and manage information throughout the project life cycle.

Cost tracking is also much easier now than 20 years ago, thanks to integrated software in quantity surveying, which enables seamless cost tracking.

This technology enables surveyors to easily determine estimations, track takeoffs and identify actual costs, all in one place. With a streamlined approach like this, accuracy is enhanced, and projects and their associated costs are better managed.

Alongside BIM and integrated software, quantity surveyors are also benefiting from the use of ‘digital twins’ and real-time performance insights. These technological advancements improve accuracy, efficiency and cost management.

A ‘digital twin’ is a virtual replica of physical assets, such as buildings or infrastructure, which can simulate and analyse the real asset, thus enabling real-time optimisation and allowing surveyors to monitor costs in real-time.

More traditional quantity surveying was, for the most part, a solitary project; however, with the latest technological advancements, such as cloud technology, the opportunity for collaboration is more prominent and feasible.

With cloud-based platforms, such as Procore and Aconex, surveyors can more easily share documents, track projects and communicate effortlessly with one another. In turn, this enhances accessibility and real-time data exchange, while also minimising errors, streamlining workflows, and improving overall project management.

What’s more, cloud-based platforms are also increasing transparency in terms of costs and schedules. Thanks to the ability to track and forecast finances in real-time, project budgets are met, and early warning signs of potential overruns can be easily identified.

Another powerful tech tool that is helping quantity surveyors is search software. With the likes of Lookeen indexing and OCR software, surveyors can quickly and accurately index files and emails, ensuring they can easily locate specific documents and files.

It helps to speed up data retrieval and ensures regulatory compliance by making data easier to locate and preserve.

With integrated AI capabilities, Lookeen can also quickly summarise documents, detect errors and contradictions, and provide visual timelines, enabling rapid identification of relevant documents and files.

For all the numerous benefits of adopting new technology in quantity surveying, several challenges and ethical considerations are worth considering. For example, data privacy is a big concern for many (across all sectors).

Due to AI-powered tools using sensitive client data, there’s potential for data breaches and unauthorised access.

Another challenge worth noting is that implementing new technologies could lead to an over-reliance on them. It could mean that there’s a lack of human judgment, and eventually, the skills of a quantity surveyor are lost.

Additionally, there is a skills gap when it comes to traditional quantity surveyors adapting to new systems. It takes a significant amount of learning and time to acquire the skills necessary to implement and utilise new technologies.

Finally, another consideration that is often overlooked is how AI interprets contracts and how this can affect the risk/reward analysis of commercial managers.

For example, AI might identify a contract as risky due to a certain onerous clause, but the contractor has a little current workload and needs the cash flow – would AI consider this? Does the risk of the onerous clause outweigh the benefits of maintaining cash flow?

At Novus Resolve, we fully understand the challenges and ethical considerations of adopting new technologies in our business and are bridging the gap between innovation and regulation.

As quantity surveyors, we employ robust security measures and ensure compliance with privacy regulations, such as GDPR. We also maintain a healthy balance between technology use and human interaction; we’d never give AI the final say. Instead, we use our expertise, industry knowledge, and years of experience to inform our decisions.

As mentioned, at Novus Resolve, we stay ahead of the curve by integrating technology that enhances our construction consulting and dispute resolution services, while never compromising on quality or our clients’ privacy.

Some of the tools we use include:

• Lookeen with AI integration which rapidly indexes files, enables location of specific text or phrases within documents, emails, etc. and summarises several documents at a time to greatly improve research efficiency.
• Power BI to analyse large pools of data and provide trend insights and dashboards with dynamic visualisations.
• MS Excel – still vital for custom calculations, comparisons, and reports, especially when integrated with VB/macros, which facilitate rapid and custom data handling.

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