Best Quantity Surveyors in the UAE

The best quantity surveyors in the UAE help developers, investors, contractors and government organisations control construction costs from the earliest feasibility study through project completion.

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A quantity surveyor advises on project budgets, procurement, tendering, construction contracts, payment applications, variations and final accounts. Their role is to help the client understand what a project should cost, where financial risks may arise and whether the completed work represents value for money.

The UAE’s construction market includes private villas, luxury hotels, residential towers, shopping centres, industrial facilities, data centres, airports and major infrastructure programmes. Each project requires a different approach to measurement, benchmarking and commercial management.

A quantity surveyor working on a small residential development may prepare an elemental estimate and bill of quantities. A consultancy working on a large master plan may manage multiple contracts, infrastructure packages, procurement programmes and long-term cost reporting.

The strongest firms do more than calculate quantities. They evaluate design options, identify cost risks, recommend procurement strategies, analyse tenders and help clients manage changes throughout construction.

This guide presents established quantity-surveying and cost-consultancy firms operating in the UAE. It includes international practices, long-established regional consultancies and specialist independent firms.

The companies are not ranked strictly from best to worst. The most suitable consultancy depends on the project’s sector, scale, procurement method, location, budget and required level of commercial support.

Clients should verify the qualifications of the proposed team, professional-indemnity insurance, recent UAE experience and exact scope before making an appointment.

1. Quantity Surveying Industry in the UAE

Quantity surveying supports the financial and contractual management of construction projects.

The service can begin before a site is purchased and continue until every contract, variation and final account has been settled.

Feasibility cost estimates

A feasibility estimate helps a developer determine whether a proposed project is financially practical.

The quantity surveyor may consider:

Site conditions
Building area
Intended quality
Structural system
Mechanical and electrical requirements
Infrastructure
External works
Professional fees
Authority charges
Inflation
Design contingencies
Construction risks

Early estimates are usually based on limited design information. The surveyor must therefore explain the assumptions, exclusions and level of accuracy.

Cost planning

Cost planning develops the project budget as the design becomes more detailed.

The quantity surveyor may divide the budget into elements such as:

Substructure
Structural frame
Building envelope
Internal finishes
Mechanical systems
Electrical systems
Vertical transportation
External works
Utilities
Landscaping
Specialist equipment

The cost plan enables the design team to see whether each part of the proposed building remains within its allocated allowance.

Value engineering

Value engineering examines whether the project’s required performance can be achieved more efficiently.

It should not be confused with simply choosing the cheapest materials.

A professional value-engineering exercise considers:

Capital cost
Operating cost
Maintenance
Durability
Energy use
Constructability
Replacement cycles
Programme effects
User experience

Bills of quantities

A bill of quantities describes and measures the construction work included in a tender.

It gives bidding contractors a common basis for pricing and can later assist with valuations, variations and final accounts.

The document may include:

Preliminaries
Measured building work
Mechanical work
Electrical work
External works
Provisional sums
Prime-cost allowances
Pricing schedules

Procurement advice

The quantity surveyor can help the client select an appropriate method for appointing designers and contractors.

Possible approaches include:

Traditional procurement
Design and build
Construction management
Management contracting
Framework agreements
Package-based procurement
Public-private partnerships

The correct method depends on the client’s priorities regarding time, cost certainty, design control and risk allocation.

Tender management

During tendering, the quantity surveyor may:

Prepare tender documents
Issue commercial clarifications
Review submitted prices
Identify exclusions
Correct arithmetic errors
Compare bids
Interview tenderers
Prepare a tender report
Recommend a preferred bidder

The lowest submitted price is not always the best offer. A low bid may exclude essential work or rely on unrealistic assumptions.

Post-contract cost management

After construction begins, the quantity surveyor monitors expenditure and reports the likely final cost.

Post-contract services may include:

Interim-payment assessments
Variation evaluations
Cost reporting
Forecasting
Contractual correspondence
Claims assessment
Cash-flow monitoring
Final-account negotiation

2. Best Quantity Surveyors in the UAE

The following firms provide documented quantity-surveying, cost-management or commercial-advisory services in the UAE.

1. Turner & Townsend

Turner & Townsend is a global professional-services company specialising in programme management, project management and cost and commercial management.

Overview

The firm operates in the UAE across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural-resources projects.

Its UAE capabilities include cost and commercial management, project and programme management, sustainability, technology and data-led advisory services.

Quantity-surveying services

Turner & Townsend’s services include:

Feasibility estimates
Cost planning
Cost benchmarking
Procurement advice
Tender management
Contract administration
Commercial management
Project controls
Risk management
Change control
Final-account support

The company says its cost and commercial-management teams help clients plan, manage and control expenditure at every project stage while protecting their financial interests. It also maintains an extensive global cost dataset for benchmarking and project decision-making.

UAE market intelligence

Turner & Townsend publishes UAE construction-market intelligence covering cost conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Its 2025 analysis compared preliminaries, overheads and profit levels between the two Emirates, illustrating the firm’s continuing involvement in UAE construction-cost research.

UAE project activity

In 2025, the firm announced an appointment to provide project and cost-management services for du’s first hyperscale data-centre development in the UAE.

Why choose Turner & Townsend

The firm may be particularly suitable for large or complex programmes requiring detailed governance, commercial reporting, benchmarking and project controls.

Best for

Turner & Townsend may be considered for:

Major real estate developments
Data centres
Infrastructure programmes
Energy projects
Commercial management
Programme-level cost controls

2. AECOM

AECOM is an international infrastructure consulting company providing engineering, design, programme-management and cost-management services.

Overview

AECOM works across transportation, buildings, water, environmental and energy projects.

Its multidisciplinary structure allows quantity-surveying services to be coordinated with design, engineering and construction-management teams.

Quantity-surveying services

AECOM’s cost-management capabilities include:

Preliminary estimates
Cost planning
Benchmarking
Value management
Procurement advice
Tender analysis
Contract management
Change management
Cost reporting
Risk analysis
Life-cycle costing

AECOM describes its cost-management service as providing specialist support throughout the project life cycle to reduce risk, improve value and achieve positive project outcomes.

Middle East cost data

The company produces a Middle East Property and Construction Handbook containing regional cost information and analysis of issues affecting the construction market.

Its 2026 MENA review reported continued construction activity supported by contracts awarded during 2025.

Why choose AECOM

AECOM may suit clients who need quantity surveying integrated with wider infrastructure, engineering, environmental or programme-management services.

Best for

AECOM may be considered for:

Major infrastructure
Government programmes
Transport projects
Large buildings
Cost benchmarking
Integrated design and cost advice

3. AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a global engineering and professional-services organisation with offices and project teams in the UAE.

Overview

The company works across transport, aviation, buildings, infrastructure, energy and government programmes.

Its Middle East quantity surveyors manage project costs, contracts, procurement, commercial risks and progress reporting.

Quantity-surveying services

AtkinsRéalis provides services including:

Pre-contract cost planning
Measurement
Bills of quantities
Procurement advice
Tender documentation
Tender analysis
Contract administration
Payment valuations
Variation assessment
Commercial reporting
Final accounts

UAE professional team

AtkinsRéalis has maintained project and programme-management operations in Abu Dhabi.

A recent Abu Dhabi recruitment notice sought an MRICS senior quantity surveyor to lead an established pre-contract and measurement team, demonstrating active professional cost-management capability in the Emirate.

Why choose AtkinsRéalis

The firm may be appropriate for clients requiring quantity surveying alongside engineering, programme-management, aviation or infrastructure expertise.

Best for

AtkinsRéalis may be considered for:

Airports
Transport projects
Major buildings
Government programmes
Pre-contract measurement
Commercial and contract management

4. DG Jones and Partners

DG Jones and Partners is a chartered quantity-surveying and construction consultancy with a long operating history in the UAE.

Overview

The firm’s Dubai office was established in 1967 and describes itself as the first chartered quantity-surveying practice established in Dubai.

The office serves Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and the Northern Emirates and has worked with public authorities, developers and professional consultants.

Quantity-surveying services

DG Jones and Partners provides services including:

Feasibility estimates
Cost planning
Bills of quantities
Tender documentation
Procurement advice
Contract administration
Interim valuations
Variation assessment
Cost reports
Claims support
Final accounts

The company also recruits and trains quantity surveyors through a professional-development programme leading toward MRICS qualification.

UAE experience

Its long UAE history may be valuable to clients requiring knowledge of local construction practices, tendering procedures and contract administration.

The firm also maintains operations serving Abu Dhabi and other parts of the country.

Why choose DG Jones and Partners

DG Jones may suit clients seeking a traditional chartered quantity-surveying practice with decades of local market experience.

Best for

DG Jones and Partners may be considered for:

Commercial buildings
Hotels
Residential developments
Government projects
Traditional quantity surveying
Contract administration

5. Omnium International

Omnium International is an independent project-management, cost-consultancy and quantity-surveying firm with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Overview

The firm has provided quantity-surveying, commercial-management and project-management services in the UAE since 1995.

In 2025, Omnium marked 30 years of operating in the country.

Quantity-surveying services

Omnium’s services include:

Feasibility studies
Cost planning
Cost consultancy
Bills of quantities
Procurement
Tendering
Contract administration
Commercial management
Claims advice
Final accounts
Project management

The firm describes itself as an independent consultancy serving major developers, employers and professional teams in the UAE and other markets.

Project and sector experience

Omnium works across:

Residential developments
Hotels
Commercial projects
Master plans
Infrastructure
Power and utilities
Specialist architecture
Fit-out work

Its documented work includes pre-contract and post-contract cost-consultancy services on the AlJurf master plan. The company also reports quantity-surveying work on major hospitality developments, including Atlantis The Royal in Dubai.

Why choose Omnium International

Omnium may appeal to clients looking for an independent specialist consultancy with established Dubai and Abu Dhabi teams.

Best for

Omnium International may be considered for:

Luxury hospitality
High-rise developments
Master plans
Mixed-use projects
Cost consultancy
Pre- and post-contract services

6. Rider Levett Bucknall

Rider Levett Bucknall, commonly known as RLB, is an international construction, property and management consultancy.

Overview

RLB provides quantity surveying, cost management, project management, building surveying and advisory services in the Middle East.

Its Abu Dhabi office was established in 2008 and has worked on projects including the Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Al Falah Community development.

Quantity-surveying services

RLB’s services include:

Cost planning
Cost benchmarking
Bills of quantities
Tender preparation
Procurement advice
Contract administration
Commercial management
Life-cycle costing
Claims advice
Project management

The company prepares detailed bills and schedules of quantities or rates to support consistent contractor tendering.

It also provides life-cycle costing to help clients assess both initial construction expenditure and longer-term operation and maintenance costs.

UAE leadership

RLB maintains dedicated cost-management leadership for its UAE operations, with senior chartered quantity surveyors responsible for cost planning, contract management and commercial advice.

Why choose RLB

RLB may be suitable for projects requiring detailed traditional quantity surveying combined with building, sustainability and project-management advice.

Best for

RLB may be considered for:

Museums and cultural buildings
Master-planned communities
Hotels
High-end developments
Life-cycle costing
Detailed tender documentation

7. Linesight

Linesight is a global construction consultancy specialising in cost management, project management, project controls and related advisory services.

Overview

The firm has a Dubai office serving projects across the UAE and wider Gulf market.

Its UAE operations include dedicated cost-management and quantity-surveying teams.

Quantity-surveying services

Linesight’s services include:

Cost management
Quantity surveying
Cost estimation
Benchmarking
Procurement support
Tender analysis
Commercial management
Project controls
Risk management
Contract management
Change control

Sector strengths

Linesight is widely associated with technically demanding and fast-moving sectors such as:

Data centres
Technology facilities
Life sciences
Commercial property
Infrastructure
Energy
Large capital programmes

Its specialist focus may be valuable where clients require highly detailed cost reporting and project controls.

Why choose Linesight

Linesight may suit clients delivering complex technical facilities that require close control of equipment costs, procurement schedules and changing project requirements.

Best for

Linesight may be considered for:

Data centres
Technology projects
Industrial facilities
Life-sciences developments
Project controls
Cost and commercial management

8. Currie & Brown

Currie & Brown is an international asset-management and construction consultancy providing cost, project and advisory services.

Overview

The firm operates across the Middle East and supports public- and private-sector developments.

Its quantity-surveying and cost-management services can cover projects from early feasibility through construction and final account.

Quantity-surveying services

Currie & Brown’s relevant capabilities include:

Cost planning
Cost estimation
Benchmarking
Value engineering
Procurement advice
Tender management
Contract administration
Commercial reporting
Risk management
Life-cycle costing
Claims support

Why choose Currie & Brown

The firm may be suitable for projects that require conventional quantity surveying combined with asset-management, sustainability or programme-advisory expertise.

Clients should confirm which UAE office and project team will deliver the assignment.

Best for

Currie & Brown may be considered for:

Healthcare projects
Public-sector programmes
Commercial developments
Infrastructure
Asset-management advice
Life-cycle cost analysis

9. Stonehaven

Stonehaven is a UAE-based project-management and construction consultancy providing cost-management services.

Overview

The company supports projects from initial feasibility and budgeting through tendering, construction and completion.

Quantity-surveying services

Stonehaven’s services include:

Quantity take-offs
Feasibility estimates
Cost planning
Cost benchmarking
Tender documentation
Bid validation
Procurement support
Post-contract cost control
Commercial reporting
Project management

The consultancy states that its cost-management service helps clients maintain cost certainty from initial quantity take-offs and feasibility estimates through tender validation and construction.

Why choose Stonehaven

Stonehaven may suit clients seeking a UAE-based consultancy that combines quantity surveying with project and construction management.

Best for

Stonehaven may be considered for:

Development feasibility
Budget preparation
Tender evaluation
Post-contract monitoring
Commercial reporting
Project-management support

10. HQS Cost Management

HQS Cost Management is a specialist UAE consultancy providing quantity-surveying and commercial services.

Overview

The firm serves construction, civil-engineering, energy and oil-and-gas projects.

It provides services during both pre-contract and post-contract stages.

Quantity-surveying services

HQS services include:

Cost estimation
Budget development
Bills of quantities
Tender documents
Tender evaluation
Contract administration
Progress valuations
Variation assessment
Claims review
Final accounts

Why choose HQS Cost Management

HQS may be suitable for clients who prefer a specialist quantity-surveying practice rather than a large multidisciplinary consultancy.

Its services cover the commercial life cycle from initial estimates to final-account settlement.

Best for

HQS may be considered for:

Building projects
Civil engineering
Energy facilities
Bills of quantities
Payment valuations
Claims and final accounts

11. Ultimate Dimensions Cost and Quantity Surveying

Ultimate Dimensions Cost and Quantity Surveying, commonly known as UDCQS, is a specialist cost and commercial consultancy.

Overview

The firm provides services to public- and private-sector clients across project preparation, procurement and construction.

Quantity-surveying services

UDCQS offers:

Pre-tender estimates
Cost planning
Measurement
Bills of quantities
Tender administration
Contract administration
Post-contract cost management
Progress valuations
Commercial reporting
BIM-supported quantity take-offs

Why choose UDCQS

UDCQS may suit clients seeking a focused quantity-surveying provider for measurement, tender documentation and contract administration.

Best for

UDCQS may be considered for:

Pre-tender cost advice
Bills of quantities
Tender administration
Post-contract quantity surveying
BIM measurement
Contract management

3. Comparison of Leading UAE Quantity Surveyors

Different firms have different strengths.

Best for major programmes

Turner & Townsend, AECOM and AtkinsRéalis have multidisciplinary resources suited to complex government, infrastructure and real estate programmes.

Best for long-established UAE experience

DG Jones and Partners has operated in Dubai since 1967 and describes itself as the city’s first chartered quantity-surveying practice.

Best for independent specialist consultancy

Omnium International offers independent quantity-surveying, cost and commercial-management services through offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Best for traditional chartered quantity surveying

RLB and DG Jones are relevant to clients seeking detailed measurement, bills of quantities, procurement and contract administration.

Best for data centres and technical facilities

Linesight and Turner & Townsend have dedicated experience and professional teams serving complex data-centre and technology developments.

Best for integrated engineering advice

AECOM and AtkinsRéalis can combine quantity surveying with engineering, project management and infrastructure expertise.

Best for locally based specialist support

Stonehaven, HQS and UDCQS may suit clients seeking smaller specialist teams for cost planning, tendering and contract administration.

4. Quantity-Surveying Services Available in the UAE

Preliminary cost estimates

A preliminary estimate gives the client an early indication of the likely construction cost.

It may be based on:

Gross floor area
Functional units
Similar completed projects
Elemental rates
Available concept drawings

Elemental cost plans

An elemental cost plan divides the budget into building components.

This allows the client and designers to see which parts of the project are above or below budget.

Bills of quantities

Bills of quantities provide a structured description and measurement of the work.

They can improve tender comparison because each contractor prices the same quantities and descriptions.

Tender analysis

A quantity surveyor examines each contractor’s submission for:

Price
Arithmetic accuracy
Qualifications
Exclusions
Provisional allowances
Programme assumptions
Alternative proposals
Commercial risks

Interim valuations

During construction, contractors normally submit periodic payment applications.

The quantity surveyor checks the work completed, materials delivered, approved variations and contractual deductions before recommending payment.

Variation assessment

A variation changes the original scope of work.

The quantity surveyor evaluates whether the change is valid and determines its cost using contract rates, agreed quotations or reasonable market evidence.

Cost reporting

A cost report may show:

Original contract value
Approved variations
Pending changes
Payments made
Forecast final cost
Remaining contingency
Commercial risks

Final accounts

The final account establishes the total amount payable under the construction contract.

It includes the original contract sum, variations, claims, adjustments and other contractual changes.

5. How to Choose a Quantity Surveyor in the UAE

Match the firm to the project

A consultancy experienced in villas and fit-outs may not be the best choice for an airport, data centre or major infrastructure programme.

Ask for projects with similar:

Construction value
Building type
Procurement method
Technical complexity
Location
Contract form

Review professional qualifications

Professional qualifications may include:

MRICS or FRICS
Chartered Institute of Building membership
Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering credentials
Relevant quantity-surveying degrees
Specialist contract qualifications

The proposed project director and senior quantity surveyors should have appropriate experience.

Examine UAE experience

Local experience is important because the consultant should understand:

UAE market rates
Regional procurement practices
Contractor pricing behaviour
Local authority requirements
Common contract forms
Inflation and supply-chain conditions

Define the appointment scope

The consultancy proposal should explain whether it includes:

Cost estimates
Cost plans
Bills of quantities
Tendering
Contract administration
Site visits
Monthly reports
Variation assessments
Claims advice
Final accounts

Confirm staffing

Ask who will actually work on the project.

A proposal may highlight senior directors, but most daily work could be completed by junior staff.

The client should understand:

Team structure
Staff availability
Senior oversight
Site attendance
Reporting responsibilities

Check independence

An independent quantity surveyor should provide objective commercial advice.

Any relationship with contractors, suppliers or other project participants should be disclosed.

Review professional insurance

Professional-indemnity insurance is important because clients may rely on the quantity surveyor’s advice when making significant financial decisions.

6. Questions to Ask Before Appointing a Quantity Surveyor

Have you completed comparable projects?

Request recent examples involving similar scale, sector and procurement arrangements.

Who will lead the assignment?

Ask for the qualifications and UAE experience of the proposed project director and senior quantity surveyors.

What is included in the fee?

Confirm whether the proposal includes:

Meetings
Site visits
Tendering
Variations
Cost reports
Claims reviews
Final accounts

Which measurement standard will be used?

The bill of quantities should follow an agreed standard or method of measurement.

How will you prepare cost benchmarks?

Ask whether benchmarking will be based on recent completed projects, live tender returns or published cost information.

How frequently will costs be reported?

Monthly reporting is common during construction, although complex programmes may require more frequent updates.

How will design changes be controlled?

The quantity surveyor should explain the approval and reporting process for proposed variations.

Can you support claims and disputes?

Some firms provide claims analysis, expert reports and dispute-resolution services, while others focus on routine cost management.

Do you carry professional-indemnity insurance?

Ask for evidence of coverage appropriate to the project value and service scope.

7. Warning Signs When Selecting a Quantity Surveyor

Clients should investigate further when a consultancy:

Provides an unusually low fee
Cannot show comparable projects
Has limited UAE experience
Does not identify the project team
Provides an unclear scope
Cannot explain its cost data
Offers no professional-indemnity evidence
Relies heavily on unverified assumptions
Has no variation-control process
Does not define its reporting format

The lowest consultancy fee may not provide the best overall value.

Weak cost advice can expose a project to budget overruns, incomplete tender documents, disputes and poorly controlled variations.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Who are some of the best quantity surveyors in the UAE?

Established firms include Turner & Townsend, AECOM, AtkinsRéalis, DG Jones and Partners, Omnium International, Rider Levett Bucknall, Linesight, Currie & Brown, Stonehaven, HQS and UDCQS.

The most suitable firm depends on the project’s size, sector and required services.

What does a quantity surveyor do?

A quantity surveyor estimates construction costs, prepares tender documents, evaluates bids, assesses payments, manages variations and agrees final accounts.

When should a quantity surveyor be appointed?

The quantity surveyor should ideally be appointed during the earliest planning or feasibility stage.

Early involvement allows the consultant to help establish a realistic budget before the design becomes difficult or expensive to change.

Does a quantity surveyor prepare bills of quantities?

Yes. Preparing bills of quantities is a traditional quantity-surveying service.

However, not every procurement method requires a full bill, so the exact deliverables should be agreed in the appointment.

Can a quantity surveyor reduce construction costs?

A quantity surveyor can identify savings, compare alternatives and improve financial control.

However, responsible cost management should preserve the required quality, safety and performance rather than simply selecting the cheapest option.

What is the difference between a quantity surveyor and a project manager?

A quantity surveyor focuses mainly on costs, procurement and contracts.

A project manager coordinates the wider programme, design team, approvals, stakeholders and delivery process.

Some consultancies offer both services.

What is the difference between pre-contract and post-contract quantity surveying?

Pre-contract services include estimates, cost plans, bills of quantities and tendering.

Post-contract services include payment assessments, variation control, cost reporting and final accounts.

How much does a quantity surveyor charge in the UAE?

Fees depend on:

Project value
Complexity
Service scope
Procurement method
Programme duration
Required staffing
Number of work packages
Site-attendance requirements

Consultants may charge a percentage, lump sum, monthly fee or hourly rate.

Is an MRICS quantity surveyor necessary?

MRICS status is not required for every routine assignment, but it demonstrates recognised professional training and competency.

For large, complex or disputed projects, chartered experience can be particularly valuable.

9. Conclusion

The best quantity surveyors in the UAE provide much more than measurements and bills of quantities.

They help clients establish realistic budgets, choose procurement methods, evaluate tenders, control variations and understand the likely final cost of construction.

Turner & Townsend, AECOM and AtkinsRéalis offer multidisciplinary resources suited to large infrastructure, real estate and government programmes.

DG Jones and Partners brings a long history of chartered quantity surveying in the UAE, while Omnium International provides independent cost, commercial and project-management services through its Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices.

Rider Levett Bucknall offers traditional quantity surveying, life-cycle costing and wider property advisory services. Linesight is particularly relevant to data centres and technically complex developments.

Currie & Brown combines cost management with asset and programme advisory work, while Stonehaven, HQS and UDCQS provide specialist UAE-based quantity-surveying services.

No single firm is the best option for every project.

Clients should compare consultancies according to sector experience, professional qualifications, UAE market knowledge, proposed staffing, reporting systems and professional-indemnity insurance.

A capable quantity surveyor can help protect the project budget, improve procurement decisions and reduce the risk of commercial disputes from feasibility through final completion.