Quantity Surveying & Estimation
Measure quantities, prepare BOQs and cost estimates, and support tendering and cost control on construction projects.
35% theory · 65% practical
- For: Civil DAE holders and engineering graduates; Site supervisors and draftsmen
- You'll produce: Quantity take-off
- Duration3–4 months
- Modules8 modules
- Learning modeOnline · Hybrid · Self-paced online
- EligibilityDAE civil or a civil engineering background preferred
- AssessmentEstimation capstone + practical test
- Next batchDates coming soon
On Campus and Hybrid: Our Centres for This Training
Centres for this training are being confirmed. Ask a counsellor for the nearest one.
Online: available in all 44 cities
- Abbottabad
- Astore
- Bahawalpur
- Bannu
- Chilas
- Chitral
- Dera Ghazi Khan
- Dera Ismail Khan
- Faisalabad
- Gilgit
- Gujranwala
- Gujrat
- Gwadar
- Hyderabad
- Islamabad
- Jhang
- Karachi
- Khuzdar
- Khyber Agency
- Kohat
- Kotli
- Lahore
- Larkana
- Mardan
- Mirpur
- Mirpur Khas
- Multan
- Muzaffarabad
- Nasirabad
- Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazirabad)
- Peshawar
- Quetta
- Rahim Yar Khan
- Rawalakot
- Rawalpindi
- Sahiwal
- Sargodha
- Sheikhupura
- Sialkot
- Skardu
- Sukkur
- Swat (Mingora)
- Turbat
- Zhob
Show training fee
- Online (live classes)PKR 40,000or 3 × PKR 13,334
- HybridPKR 45,000or 3 × PKR 15,000
- Online, self-pacedPKR 20,000one-time
About This Training
ZEF's Quantity Surveying & Estimation training is a practical programme of 3–4 months covering measurement, bills of quantities, rate analysis, cost estimation, tender documents, variations and cost control. You finish with an estimation capstone for a real-style building.
Why 3 to 4 months? Every batch covers the same modules, practical work and assessments. Full-time weekday batches finish in about 3 months; part-time evening or weekend batches, and learners who need extra practice before the final assessment, take up to 4 months.
Benchmarked against NAVTTC’s Quantity Surveyor curriculum approach and the RICS quantity surveying technical competencies (measurement, estimating, procurement and contract practice).
Training Outline
- 8 modules
- 8 hands-on tasks
1Construction Basics and Drawings4 topics
Topics
- Building elements and materials
- Reading architectural and structural drawings
- Specifications
- Units
You Will Be Able To
- Read drawings and specifications for measurement
Hands-on
- Interpret a drawing set and list work items
2Measurement4 topics
Topics
- Standard methods of measurement
- Measuring substructure and superstructure
- Finishes
- Services
You Will Be Able To
- Measure building work to a standard method
Hands-on
- Measure a single-storey house
3Bills of Quantities4 topics
Topics
- BOQ structure
- Item descriptions
- Taking off
- Excel BOQ templates
You Will Be Able To
- Prepare a clear bill of quantities
Hands-on
- Prepare a BOQ for the measured house
4Rate Analysis4 topics
Topics
- Labour, material and plant rates
- Wastage
- Overheads and profit
- Pakistan market rates
You Will Be Able To
- Build up unit rates from first principles
Hands-on
- Analyse rates for concrete, brickwork and plaster
5Cost Estimation3 topics
Topics
- Preliminary and detailed estimates
- Estimating software
- Cost plans
You Will Be Able To
- Estimate project costs at different stages
Hands-on
- Prepare a detailed estimate
6Tender Documents4 topics
Topics
- Procurement routes
- Tender documents
- Bid evaluation
- PEC and FIDIC basics
You Will Be Able To
- Prepare and evaluate tender documents
Hands-on
- Evaluate three sample bids
7Variations and Valuations4 topics
Topics
- Interim valuations
- Variations and claims
- Measurement on site
- Payment certificates
You Will Be Able To
- Value work done and price variations
Hands-on
- Prepare an interim payment valuation
8Cost Control and Capstone4 topics
Topics
- Cost reports
- Cash flow
- Final accounts
- Portfolio
You Will Be Able To
- Track and report project costs
Hands-on
- Capstone: estimate, BOQ and cost report for a project
Who It's for and Eligibility
Who It's For
- Civil DAE holders and engineering graduates
- Site supervisors and draftsmen
- Staff in contractors' and consultants' offices
- Anyone aiming for QS or estimator roles in Pakistan or the Gulf
Eligibility
- DAE civil or a civil engineering background preferred
- Ability to read construction drawings
- Good Excel skills
Your Path Through This Training
- LearnMeasurement rules, BOQ structure and rate analysis
- PracticeTake-offs and estimates from real drawings
- ProveAn estimation capstone and timed test
- PreparePortfolio, CV and QS interview practice
- ProgressJunior QS, estimator and cost control roles
What You'll Produce
Quantity Take-Off
Measured quantities from a set of building drawings.
Rate Analysis and BOQ
A priced bill of quantities with rate breakdowns.
Capstone: Tender Estimate
A complete estimate with assumptions, exclusions and a cost plan.
Tools and Equipment You'll Use
- Microsoft Excel
- AutoCAD for measurement
- Bluebeam or PDF measuring tools
- Standard method of measurement references
How You're Assessed
You prepare a take-off, BOQ and estimate for a building, and complete a timed measurement test. Assessors check accuracy, method and the logic of your assumptions. Your result is Competent or Not yet competent, with a chance to retake.
- Assessment 1After modules 1–3
- Assessment 2After modules 4–6
- Final assessmentAfter all 8 modules, for your certificate
Career Pathway
Roles in Pakistan
- Junior Quantity Surveyor
- Estimator
- Tender Assistant
- Cost Control Assistant
International
- GCC construction
- UK/EU QS support
- Remote estimating
Subject to employer, licensing, visa and qualification-recognition requirements.
Opportunities in Pakistan and Abroad
- 727,381Pakistanis registered for jobs abroad in 2024Source: BE&OE
- $38.3 billionsent home by overseas Pakistanis in 2024-25Source: State Bank of Pakistan
- $1.76 billionearned by Pakistani freelancers in 2025-26Source: State Bank of Pakistan
Where the Jobs Are
Live listings for “quantity surveyor”. Opens the job site.| Country | Demand | Find jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | See live listings | Rozee.pk LinkedIn Indeed |
| Saudi Arabia | 452,562Pakistani workers who went there in 2024 | Bayt LinkedIn Indeed |
| Oman | 81,587Pakistani workers who went there in 2024 | Bayt LinkedIn Indeed |
| United Arab Emirates | 64,130Pakistani workers who went there in 2024 | Bayt LinkedIn Indeed |
| Qatar | 40,818Pakistani workers who went there in 2024 | Bayt LinkedIn Indeed |
| Bahrain | 25,198Pakistani workers who went there in 2024 | Bayt LinkedIn Indeed |
| Worldwide (freelance and remote) | See live listings | Upwork Fiverr LinkedIn (remote) |
Overseas figures: all occupations, 2024, Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE). They show where Pakistani workers find jobs abroad, not vacancies for this training.
What People in This Field Earn
- Freelance, international clientsRs 2,780–20,850($10–75)per hour on Upwork: about $10–25 for beginners and $25–75 at intermediate levelSource: Upwork, hourly rates by skill and experience (2026)
Rupee amounts converted at Rs 278 per US dollar (open-market rate, end of September 2026).
What the Same Job Pays Abroad
Official pay figures for quantity surveyor and estimator roles in four countries that recruit skilled workers.
| Country and job | Pay (local) | ≈ US$ a year | ≈ Rs a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| USACost estimators | US$78,740 a year (median)US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 | ≈ US$ a year: $79k | ≈ Rs a month: Rs 1,824,000 |
| CanadaConstruction estimator | C$37.84 an hour (median)Job Bank, Government of Canada, 2023-2024 | ≈ US$ a year: $55k | ≈ Rs a month: Rs 1,280,000 |
| United KingdomQuantity surveyor | £26,000–£70,000 a yearUK National Careers Service, 2026 | ≈ US$ a year: $35k–93k | ≈ Rs a month: Rs 800,000–2,153,000 |
Employee pay before tax: medians, or starter-to-experienced ranges (UK). Hourly and weekly medians are shown for a full-time year (2,080 hours or 52 weeks). Converted at European Central Bank reference rates (6 Oct 2026) and Rs 278 per US dollar. Living costs abroad are much higher than in Pakistan. Working abroad is subject to employer, licensing, visa and qualification-recognition requirements.
Jobs in Each Country
Quantity surveyor and estimator: how many people do this job, openings, the outlook and the usual way in, from official labour statistics.
- USACost estimators
- People employed (2025)
- 226,400
- Openings a year
- 17,600
- Average pay a month
- US$6,560≈ Rs 1,824,000
- Outlook
- -3% (Decline), 2025–35
- Experience
- No prior work experience needed
- Usual entry
- Bachelor's degree
- CanadaConstruction estimator
- People employed (2023)
- 22,900
- Average pay a month
- C$6,560≈ Rs 1,280,000
- Outlook
- Moderate risk of shortage, 2024–2033
Counts are for the whole occupation in that country, not vacancies for ZEF students. Average pay is the official median (or the middle of the UK range) shown above, per month before tax.
Employers in This Field
Examples of organisations in Pakistan and abroad that employ people in this role. This is not a list of current vacancies: check each company’s careers page.
- NESPAKPakistan
- Descon EngineeringPakistan
- AECOMInternational
- WSPInternational
- JacobsInternational
- ArcadisInternational
- BechtelInternational
- Larsen & ToubroInternational
Company websites, checked October 2026.
These are published national figures and market benchmarks to help you plan, not a promise of a job or income. What you earn depends on your skills, experience, employer and city. Subject to employer, licensing, visa and qualification-recognition requirements.
Questions
Do I need an engineering degree?
No. Civil DAE holders, draftsmen and site staff often move into quantity surveying. You do need to read drawings and be comfortable with Excel and calculations.
Which measurement standards are used?
You learn the principles of standard methods of measurement used locally and in the Gulf, and how to state your assumptions clearly. Specific clients may use their own standards.
Is quantity surveying in demand abroad?
Gulf construction regularly recruits QS and estimation staff, subject to employer, qualification-recognition and visa requirements. Practical experience and a strong portfolio matter most.
Register Your Interest
Leave your details and a counsellor will call or WhatsApp you to answer questions, confirm fees and batch dates, and check this training fits your goals.