Rustomjee Group Quantity Surveyor Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

As a Quantity Surveyor in real estate and infrastructure, you prepare cost estimates, bills of quantities, and tender documents, then track project costs from design to handover. Day to day you measure work on site, certify contractor bills, evaluate variations, and help the team stay within budget. At fast-growing developers like Rustomjee Group, you often work across residential towers, commercial projects, and infrastructure packages.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between a bill of quantities and a bill of materials?

   Explain that a BOQ lists measured quantities of work items with descriptions and units for tendering, while a bill of materials lists raw materials and components needed for construction, often without rates.

2. 2

   How do you prepare a rate analysis for a concrete item?

   Cover material quantities (cement, sand, aggregate, water), labour, plant, wastage, overheads, and profit, and mention using standard CPWD or IS coefficients.

3. 3

   What are the different types of contracts you may encounter in real estate?

   Mention lump sum, item rate, percentage rate, cost plus, and EPC contracts, and briefly state when each is used and who carries the risk.

4. 4

   What is the difference between nominal mix and design mix concrete, and how does it affect cost?

   Nominal mix uses fixed proportions for small works, while design mix is tested for strength and durability, often reducing cement content and cost on large projects.

Practical Scenarios and Site Application

1. 5

   A contractor claims extra payment for additional excavation due to rock encountered on site. How would you verify and process this variation?

   Describe checking the contract clauses, site records, joint measurement, rate derivation, and approval from the project manager before certifying the variation.

2. 6

   How would you handle a situation where actual consumption of steel is higher than the BOQ quantity?

   Explain investigating causes like wastage, design changes, or cutting patterns, comparing with approved bar bending schedules, and reporting findings with corrective actions.

3. 7

   You are asked to certify a running account bill, but some measurements are missing. What do you do?

   State that you would not certify incomplete work, request joint measurement, verify previous bills, and follow the contract payment terms before releasing any amount.

4. 8

   How do you ensure cost control on a residential tower project from foundation to finishing?

   Mention preparing a cost plan, monitoring commitments, tracking variations, comparing actual vs budget, and using earned value or S-curve reports.

Behavioural and Situational Questions

1. 9

   Tell me about a time you had to meet a tight deadline during your studies or internship.

   Use the STAR method, highlight planning, prioritisation, and the result, and connect it to how you would handle tender deadlines or monthly billing cycles.

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you disagreed with a senior's cost estimate. How did you handle it?

   Show respect, data-based reasoning, willingness to recheck your own work, and a focus on the project's best interest rather than winning the argument.

3. 11

   How would you handle pressure from a contractor to approve a bill quickly?

   Emphasise following process, verifying measurements and rates, communicating transparently, and escalating if needed without compromising accuracy or ethics.

HR and Company Fit

1. 12

   Why do you want to work as a quantity surveyor in real estate and infrastructure rather than in contracting?

   Talk about interest in cost planning, developer-side decision making, exposure to multiple projects, and long-term career growth in cost management.

2. 13

   What do you know about Rustomjee Group and its projects?

   Mention it is a Mumbai-based developer with residential and commercial projects, and show you have looked at recent launches or ongoing infrastructure work, without claiming inside knowledge.

3. 14

   Where do you see yourself in three years as a quantity surveyor?

   Show ambition to gain expertise in estimation, contracts, and cost control, and possibly pursue certifications like MRICS or NICMAR, while contributing to the employer's growth.

4. 15

   Are you comfortable working on site and travelling between project locations?

   Answer honestly and positively, mentioning willingness to learn site measurement, coordinate with contractors, and adapt to project needs.