The Construction Industry in the Philippines and the Role of the Quantity Surveyor

Vocabulary flashcards covering key sectors of the construction industry in the Philippines, members of the building team, quantity surveying definitions, tools, and sustainability roles.

Construction Industry

The industry consisting of organizations and professionals involved in planning, designing, constructing, repairing, and maintaining buildings and infrastructure.

Residential Construction

A sector of the construction market covering buildings primarily used for housing, such as houses, subdivisions, condominiums, apartments, and townhouses.

Commercial Construction

A sector of the construction market comprised of buildings used for business and commercial activities, such as malls, offices, hotels, restaurants, and retail stores.

Industrial Construction

A sector of the construction market focused on facilities for manufacturing, production, storage, and processing, such as factories, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and industrial parks.

Infrastructure Construction

A sector focused on public and large-scale infrastructure supporting transportation and economic activity, including roads, bridges, railways, airports, ports, and flood-control projects.

Institutional Construction

A sector involving facilities serving education, healthcare, government, and public or community functions, such as schools, universities, hospitals, government buildings, and churches.

Utilities & Energy Construction

A sector covering energy, water, telecommunications, and other essential utility systems, including power plants, solar farms, transmission lines, water systems, and wastewater facilities.

Building Team

The group of professionals, organizations, and individuals who work together to plan, design, finance, construct, and complete a building project.

Client or Owner

The person, company, or organization that initiates and finances the project, defines project requirements, provides the budget, and makes major decisions.

Architect

The professional responsible for the overall architectural design, conceptual drawings, space planning, functionality, and regulatory compliance of a building.

Civil / Structural Engineer

The professional responsible for structural analysis, foundation design, structural drawings, selection of structural systems, and the overall safety and stability of a building.

Quantity Surveyor

The professional responsible for cost management, quantity take-offs, cost estimates, Bills of Quantities (BOQ), tender documentation, contract administration, and financial control across the project lifecycle.

Project Manager

The professional who coordinates overall project execution, monitoring time, cost, and quality to ensure the right work is done within agreed constraints.

Contractor

The entity responsible for physically constructing the project according to approved drawings, specifications, and contract agreements while managing site operations and subcontractors.

Subcontractor

Specialized contractors hired by the main/general contractor to perform specific portions of the work, such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or painting tasks.

Suppliers

Entities that provide materials, equipment, and products required for construction, directly affecting project cost and schedule through price, availability, and delivery.

Government Authorities / Regulatory Bodies

Agencies (such as LGU, DPWH, DHSUD, PRC, BFP, and EMB) that ensure construction projects comply with laws, regulations, permits, safety requirements, and professional standards.

Quantity Surveying

The discipline of managing and controlling costs and contracts across the project lifecycle from concept to final account.

PlanSwift

A digital takeoff software tool used by Quantity Surveyors for estimating and managing construction costs.

Candy

An estimating, planning, and project control software application used by Quantity Surveyors.

Waste Hierarchy (Quantity Surveyor's Role in Sustainability)

A 5-step waste management sequence: Eliminate waste, Reduce waste, Re-use items, Recover (recycle/compost/energy), and Dispose responsibly.