Commercial Managers, or quantity surveyors, are the financial managers of the civil engineering industry. They work alongside other professionals in preparing the documents on which projects are based, measuring the work completed on site and ensuring that the companies carrying out the construction are paid a fair price for it.

Their responsibilities include:

• Preparing documents including legal documents
• Evaluating prices received from various contractors and
  subcontractors to see who should be appointed to do the work
• Preparing estimates of the likely cost of the construction of a project
• Advising engineers on financial issues
• Measuring and costing the work carried out
• Valuing the contract as work proceeds
  

This profession also includes the following functions:
Estimating:
calculating the cost of a project
Procurement Engineering:
purchasing the materials and services needed
Planning:
programming the construction and ensuring that it is carried out
as specified
Project Management:
general management of the construction project
Construction Law: advising on the legal aspects of the construction
including settling claims and disputes.