"Why conciliation skills are so important for quantity surveyors?"

Quantity surveying is a profession that requires a wide range of skills, including technical knowledge, project management, and financial acumen. However, one skill that is often overlooked but equally important is conciliation. Conciliation is the process of resolving conflicts or disputes through negotiation and compromise. In this blog post, we will explore why conciliation skills are so important for quantity surveyors.

One of the primary roles of a quantity surveyor is to manage the cost, time and quality of a construction project. This often involves working with a wide range of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients. Each stakeholder has their own interests and priorities, and it is the quantity surveyor's job to ensure that these are taken into account and that the project is completed on time and within budget. However, this can often lead to conflicts and disputes, which is where conciliation skills come in.

Conciliation skills are essential for quantity surveyors because they allow them to effectively manage and resolve conflicts. A skilled conciliator can identify the underlying causes of a dispute and find a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved. This not only helps to resolve the dispute quickly but also helps to maintain good relationships between all stakeholders. This is particularly important for quantity surveyors, as they often have to work closely with the same stakeholders on multiple projects.

In addition, conciliation skills are also important for quantity surveyors when negotiating contracts. A skilled conciliator can effectively negotiate terms and conditions that are fair and reasonable for both parties. This can help to reduce the risk of disputes arising later on in the project and ensure that all parties are satisfied with the outcome. Another key benefit of conciliation skills is that they can help to avoid costly disputes. Disputes can be time-consuming and costly to resolve, and they can also lead to delays in the completion of a project. A skilled conciliator can help to resolve disputes quickly and efficiently, which can help to keep costs down and avoid delays.

Finally, conciliation skills are also important for quantity surveyors in terms of reputation management. In today's competitive construction industry, reputation is everything. A quantity surveyor with strong conciliation skills is more likely to be able to resolve disputes quickly and efficiently, which can help to maintain a good reputation. In conclusion, conciliation skills are essential for quantity surveyors. They help to manage and resolve conflicts, negotiate fair and reasonable contracts, avoid costly disputes, and maintain a good reputation. Quantity surveyors who possess strong conciliation skills are more likely to be successful in their profession and to be respected by their peers.