Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DESIGN
BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
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Professional Ethics
TABLE OF CONTENT
1.0 Profession and Occupation
1.1 Definition of Occupation and Profession 4
1.2 Key Differences between Occupation and Profession 5
1.2.1 Code of Conduct 5
1.2.2 Training 5
1.2.3 Regulated by Statute 5
1.2.4 Higher Education 6
1.2.5 Basis of Pay 6
1.2.6 Degree of Independence 6
1.2.7 Status 6
1.3 Are Quantity Surveying, Construction Management and
Contracting considered as a profession?
1.3.1 Quantity Surveying 7
1.3.2 Construction Management 8
1.3.3 Contracting 8
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4.0 References 25 - 26
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Many thinks that the term “occupation” and “profession” can be used interchangeably, but in
fact there is a slight difference between them.
Occupation refers to the kind of activity undertaken by a person for monetary compensation.
It is divided into the following categories:
Profession is an activity which requires specialized training and a high degree of knowledge
in a specific field. It is normally obtained through studies at university, specialized training
or internship. A profession can become an occupation when a person is paid for his
particular knowledge and skills.
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2.Training X ✔
3.Regulated by statute X ✔
4.Higher Education X ✔
1.2.2 Training
Training is not compulsory for occupation, whereas, profession requires training for
specialization in a particular field. Once a compulsory academic training is completed, a
specialized training is needed. It provides an opportunity for constant growth in the
profession. Experience and extra courses can add levels of skill and knowledge of a
professional.
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1.2.7 Status
Normally, Professionals have higher status in the society and are respected by others
compare to the occupation.
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Quantity Surveying can be considered as a profession. QS are able to prepare Bills of Quantities
that give out the pricing, quantities and materials required on a project. They also forecast the
material cost of a building even before it is built. Tender documents, contracts and other
documentation can only be prepared by QS who has extensive knowledge in this profession.
QS also helps contractors to prepare interim valuation which is a detailed documentation that
serves to receive payment before the work is done. Besides, QS is governed by professional
bodies such as RICS and RISM in Malaysia that govern and regulates the professional Quantity
Surveyors. Other than that, QS has to follow the code of conduct such as statutory duty, ethical
conduct, professional conduct etc. Some quantity surveyors are also trained in cost control
techniques to ensure projects are carried out in a certain way to save money and to ensure cost
certainty whereas some quantity surveyors are specialized in contracts management.
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Construction management can control the project’s time, cost, quality and safety record.
Construction management is compatible with all project delivery systems which includes the
design-bid-build, design-build, etc.
A construction manager (CM) will ensure that the scope of work is skillfully adhered to and the
project is successfully delivered for all types of project, no matter large, small, international or
domestic.
Construction Manager, a profession which collaborates with and provides the oversight to the
owner, architect, general contractor etc. to complete the project on time, within budget and to
reach the client’s expected standard of quality. They do not perform the actual construction tasks
but act as advisors for the owner, overseeing the construction contracts. The CM is paid by
assuring that the project progresses smoothly and achieves the client’s business objectives.
1.3.3 Contracting
In my opinion, Contracting is also a profession. General contracting is a supervisory work that is
performed by the General Contractor (GC). They are responsible in managing and building a
project that is designed. They oversee the important renovation and building projects. Besides,
they also manage and hire subcontractors and other labours in the construction projects.
GC acts as the supervisor of the entire project where he ensures that the subcontractors are doing
their job and are being paid for their job correctly and in a timely manner. The General
Contractor is the main person that contacts with the client.
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This provision is essential because it explains on the conduct a registered QS must have within
the industry. The QS professionals have obligation to act in the interest of the general public, to
do their work as guided by the code of Professional conduct that decided by the board. For
instance, a registered QS did his work with honesty, this create a bond of trust within QS and
client. This benefits to our profession as it will uphold the dignity, standing, recognition and
reputation of the QS profession.
As a Registered Quantity Surveyor should not cause wilful act which is committed and knowing
that such act would cause injury to another Registered Quantity Surveyor. Any statement that is
made either in writing or orally will affect the reputation and prospect of business of a registered
person. Registered Quantity Surveyor shall adhere ethnical principles and standards to display
the highest standards of professional excellence. For instance, if a statement that indicate a
registered person did something dishonest, this action will hurt their reputation. The employer
will also hesitant whether to employ them.
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This clause is one of the essential clauses as Registered Quantity Surveyor plays a key role in
administering the contracts and may be chosen as contract administrator. It is significant that
Registered Quantity Surveyor has to act fairly and unbiased in the process of managing and
construing the contracts eternally with the provisions of the contract. Additionally, Registered
Quantity Surveyor shall not be bias and prejudice in decision making when they face the arising
questions in the contract. Thus, this clause will eventually assist the Registered Quantity
Surveyor to settle the matter which will prevent disputes occurs and ensure the progress of
project proceed effectively.
There are restrictions on entering professional partnership which includes deliberately be a part
of obtaining the Board approval to practice as a Consulting QS Practice. On the other words,
involve in granting practice is unlawful. The Board can withdraw an approval granted from any
company if QS assists or hide the existence of a fact. Other than that, Registered QS must not
involve himself or herself from allowing or inflicting any firm or relevance authority to practice
as a Consulting QS firm before getting approved by the Board, or by the means of the usage of
the name of the authority of the Board.
This provision state that one quality surveyor shall respect others by not perform work extending
over another quantity surveyor as a consulting quantity surveying who had appointed by client.
For instance, one should not intentionally or unintentionally intervene another quantity
surveyor’s work by providing his point of view to the same client on the same project except on
the consent of that quantity surveyor. The reason is it may create unnecessary troubles such as
bring tension to other quantity surveyor, affect the relationship between each other, or even cause
the delay of project. Therefore, this provision is crucial as it highlighted not to interfere or take
over the practice of another.
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Provision 35 stated that quantity surveyor should not provide his professional capacity to the
client and contractor at the same time, on the same project unless he got the instruction from the
client to do so. This is because the interest from both parties are different, hence it is very
important for the quantity surveyor to keep the client’s information private and confidential in
order to protect his rights.
Under provision 35A, if a qualified quantity surveyor gets wrong, anyone can file a complaint in
Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM). The complaint shall be made in written form by
providing personal details of the complainant, the facts of complaint with supporting evidences,
signature of the complainant and information of counsel (optional) in order for BQSM to take
legal action. If there is missing of information, the complaint will be rejected by the Registrar.
As stated under provision 35B, the complaint will be lodged with the Registrar. Once the
Registrar receive the complaint, he will stamp the date of its receipt on the document and
determine whether to accept or reject the complaint. If the complaint is accepted, the complaint
will be sent to the Board for its action, in contrast, if the complaint is rejected, Registrar will
inform the complainant through letter of rejection.
If the Registered Quantity Surveyor or the Complainant neglects to attend the hearing before the
Disciplinary Committee at a point when a complaint is lodged against the QS or the firm and the
hearing date is settled, the said committee may continue to further investigate the complaint in
the case of the absences of the Quantity Surveyor or complainant on condition that the notice of
hearing has been devotedly served to both parties involved. The investigations shall proceed
without telling either party and from subsequently, base an assurance and request.
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The services that specified in the Schedule shall be provided by the consulting Quantity
Surveyor. Due to the practice of consulting QS profession in the relation to the project, they shall
perform all acts and matters which are usually performed by the QS. For example, they should
calculate and estimate the material, plant and labour cost in a project. The roles of QS are to
control and manage the finances of any construction project, giving advice on procurement
method, working to keep the project within the budget to ensure the construction cost does not
exceed the total amount that has been estimated.
To be a professional consulting QS, he or she shall not reveal any confidential information that
have been obtained or communicated while carrying out the work, duties and obligation under
the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement. Without the written approval of the Government,
the QS shall not use the previous information that have been obtained or communicated from the
past project. This will maintain the reputation of the QS and even gain the client’s trust and
confidence.
In addition, consulting QS shall avoid attempting to supplant another registered QS who has
already been appointed by an employer or client directly or indirectly. He also shall prevent his
subsidiary or associate participating in any activities that are related to the project other than the
specified professional services unless the government has agreed in writing. According to
BQSM, Clauses 34 (aa) states that a consulting quantity surveyor shall not reduce or undercut
fees in order to secure an appointment.
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4.0 REFERENCES
• Difference Between Occupation and Profession (with Comparison Chart).
Alex- Asmaa- Imodu. Retrieved from: https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-
occupation-and-profession.html
• Olivia (2012, January 08). Difference Between Profession and Occupation. Retrieved from:
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-profession-and-vs-occupation/
• What Are The Functions Of A Consultant Quantity Surveyor? Available from: https://www.project-
resource.co.uk/blog/2016/01/what-are-the-functions-of-a-consultant-quantity-surveyor
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• The Work and Skills Base of the Quantity Surveyor. Available from:
https://arrow.dit.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=beschreoth
• Emma Tyrell (20 April 2002). Pursuing a complaint against your surveyor. Retrieved from:
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2002/apr/20/property.homebuying1 [Accessed: 18
November 2018]
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