In practice, a quantity surveyor is a person who calculates the amount of materials needed for building work, and how much they will cost
The Quantity Surveyors in insurance are only involved in property damage losses and only where liability is not an issue, as confirmed by a company’s internal adjusters, in which case they can quantify the claims on behalf of the insurer.
Their appointment is normally in writing with a copy to the claimant and though they have a professional fee schedule, the fee applicable per case will be agreed upon at the time of appointment depending on the agreed scope of work.
The insurer will normally have a maximum number of quantity surveyors on their panel whom they can also recommend to their external adjusters in case they need their services.