The evolution of the Quantity Surveyor Ct'd

Before 1666, masons, carpenters and other craftsmen were paid on a daily basis, but because of the large amount of labor needed to reconstruct the city after the fire, it was decided that each craftsmen be paid for the quantity of his trades work. This meant that instead of being paid a wage, the tradesmen were paid for the amount of masonry, carpentry or any other craft ship contained in the building. In essence one had to study the drawings and measure the quantity of work of each trade contained in the building and at the same time prepare an estimate for the total cost of the building. Hence, from that humble beginning, the Quantity Surveying profession evolved.