Sustainable Quantity Surveying: Reducing Costs & Carbon in Construction

At DQS Consulting, sustainability is more than a buzzword — it's built into everything we do. As pressure grows for the construction industry to reduce emissions and deliver low-carbon buildings, quantity surveyors have a crucial role to play. Through smarter cost planning, life cycle analysis, and early-stage collaboration, we help our clients build greener without compromising on performance or budget.

Why Sustainability Matters in Quantity Surveying

A graphical image of buildings and the planet in green representing sustainable construction

The built environment is responsible for around 39% of global carbon emissions, with materials, construction processes, and building operation all contributing to the challenge. As quantity surveyors, we’re in a unique position to help reduce this impact — by influencing decisions on materials, methods, and maintenance right from the outset.

Whether it’s evaluating low-carbon alternatives, advising on sustainable procurement, or conducting life cycle costing, our job is to bring long-term thinking to short-term decisions.

How We Deliver Sustainable Quantity Surveying at DQS

1. Life Cycle Costing (LCC)

We don’t just look at upfront costs — we consider the entire life of a building. From maintenance and energy use to disposal, LCC helps clients understand the true cost of sustainability.

2. Embodied Carbon Assessments

We advise on how to reduce the carbon impact of materials and construction processes. This supports better design decisions and often leads to lower long-term costs.

3. Sustainable Value Engineering

We work with clients to substitute traditional materials or systems with lower-impact alternatives, without affecting performance or quality.

4. Early-Stage Design Input

We ensure all regulatory and legal obligations are met, minimising the risk of non-compliance penalties.

5. Responsible Procurement Advice

We support sourcing strategies that prioritise local, ethical, and low-carbon suppliers, while still meeting programme and cost requirements.

Discover more

We offer a comprehensive range of quantity surveying services, helping us push the boundaries of sustainability in construction.

Working with Industry Standards

We regularly support clients working towards industry-leading sustainability certifications and frameworks, including:

BREEAM – Sustainability performance across the built environment
LEED – Global standard for green building certification
Passivhaus – Ultra-low energy buildings with reduced operational emissions
Net Zero Carbon Building Standards – Reducing both embodied and operational carbon

Our role is to cost and support these ambitions, ensuring clients can make informed decisions that align with their goals.

Let’s Build a Greener Future Together

If you're looking for a quantity surveyor who understands both carbon and cost, you're in the right place. Get in touch to talk about how we can support your next sustainable project.

Related Insights

Here, you'll find a wide range of blogs and articles covering key topics in the QS field, from cost management and sustainability to industry trends and best practices. Our goal is to educate, inform, and support professionals and clients alike, empowering you with the knowledge to navigate your projects confidently and efficiently.