There is sometimes confusion with the roles of quantity surveyors with building surveyors. Quantity surveyors have no real involvement in house purchases or surveys on them.
A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality.
Structural engineers are mainly involved with the analysis, design, planning, and research of structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants. Their work takes account aspects of safety, technical, economic and environmental concerns.
They undertake surveys on residential properties, but mainly only during the purchase phase as a result of a mortgage valuation raising potential major structural issues that may affect a mortgage offered on the property.