Book excerpt: The modern quantity surveyor (QS) plays a central role in the management of construction projects, although the exact nature of the role depends on who employs the QS. The Professional Quantity Surveyor engaged by the client and the Contractor's Quantity Surveyor have different roles to play in any construction project, with the contractor's QS role extending beyond measurement to the day-to-day running of building projects, estimating, contract administration and construction planning, as well as commercial, cost and project management. This book aims to provide readers with a practical guide into quantity surveying from a main contractor's perspective. Readers will acquire an understanding of the skills and competencies required by the contractor’s quantity surveyor. Following a brief introduction, the book's early chapters cover measurement methodology and the contractor's business, with the rest of the chapters discussing commercial and contractual management of a construction project, including day-to-day running from commencement through to completion, in a highly practical way.