A Day in Tiong Seng as a Quantity Surveyor

Building with Precision

Kai Li was drawn to the field of Quantity Surveying because of her deep interest in how construction projects are managed. Not only the physical work that takes place on site, but also the planning, budgeting, and coordination that happen behind the scenes. With a natural passion for numbers, problem-solving, and efficiency, she discovered that the role of a Quantity Surveyor allows her to contribute meaningfully to the success of projects, ensuring they are delivered within budget and to the highest standards.

The Role of a Quantity Surveyor

At Tiong Seng, Kai Li plays a pivotal role in managing the financial and contractual aspects of construction projects. She ensures cost efficiency, compliance, and smooth project execution, while balancing technical expertise with financial oversight. One of her key responsibilities is certifying subcontractor payment claims, safeguarding against discrepancies and overclaims to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Her role spans a wide range of duties. They range from reviewing contract documents and construction drawings for alignment with project specifications, to evaluating and managing variation orders (VOs), coordinating with site teams, and engaging subcontractors to resolve commercial matters. Beyond daily operations, she also contributes to the company’s long-term success through project cost monitoring, cash flow forecasting, and contractual compliance. By managing budgets diligently and ensuring accountability, Kai Li strengthens both project outcomes and stakeholder confidence.

A Typical Day

A typical day for Kai Li begins with a site progress meeting alongside consultants, the site team, and the contracts team. These meetings provide a platform to review ongoing progress, address issues affecting schedule or quality, and work collaboratively to find practical solutions. Over lunch, she often takes the opportunity to connect with colleagues from the site team in a more informal setting, strengthening rapport and encouraging open communication.

Her afternoons are usually spent in the site office, where she discusses ongoing activities, resolves outstanding issues, and plans for upcoming work sequences. This includes conducting on-site inspections to verify progress and quality, as well as meeting subcontractors to review scope, clarify technical or logistical challenges, and ensure alignment with project timelines.

Overcoming Challenges

One of the most challenging experiences in her career involved managing a complex variation order that spanned multiple trades and included discrepancies in scope and completed works. To resolve the issue, she meticulously reviewed contract details, collaborated closely with the site and design teams, and maintained open communication with subcontractors to reach a fair and practical resolution. The experience underscored the importance of teamwork, clear communication, and thorough documentation. These are qualities she considers critical to ensuring smooth project execution.

Career Motivation and Reflection

Kai Li chose to join Tiong Seng because of its strong reputation for quality and innovation, and its ability to deliver challenging, impactful projects. What has kept her at the company is the supportive work environment, opportunities for growth, and the recognition given to the contributions she makes.

For her, the most rewarding part of being a Quantity Surveyor is witnessing a project evolve from drawings into a completed building. Knowing that her efforts in managing costs and contracts play a vital role in keeping projects on track gives her a strong sense of accomplishment.

To aspiring Quantity Surveyors, she offers this advice: remain curious, committed to learning, and open to collaboration. Communication and numerical skills are essential, but practical exposure, through internships or site visits, is equally valuable in understanding how projects truly operate.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Kai Li is excited about the industry’s shift towards digitalisation and sustainability. With tools such as BIM and digital cost management systems, project management is becoming more efficient and precise. At the same time, the growing emphasis on green buildings and sustainable design highlights that construction today is not just about meeting present needs, but also about shaping a more responsible future.

Join Tiong Seng

At Tiong Seng, we are always looking for individuals who share our passion for building, innovation, and teamwork. Our projects are not just structures, they are opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference. If you are curious, determined, and driven to leave a lasting impact, there is a place for you here.

Explore your possibilities. Build your future. Join Tiong Seng.