Cost planning specialists for capital city residential and mixed use projects.
15 firms listed for Wellington. Also see: Residential QS, Commercial QS, Insurance QS.
Get quotes in Wellington — free, no obligation.
Wellington's construction market is shaped by its seismic risk profile, compact urban geography, and concentration of government, commercial, and civic projects. Quantity surveyors working in the capital need a strong grasp of structural cost premiums, earthquake-resilient design uplift, and the consent environment unique to Wellington's terrain.
The CBD and inner-city suburbs command premium construction rates driven by access constraints, tight floor plates, and the complexity of building on steep sites or over existing structures. QS practices here regularly work on seismic strengthening, apartment retrofits, office fitouts, and council-procurement projects.
Wellington's 15 listed QS firms range from single-operator practices focused on residential work to multi-project consultancies supporting government and commercial clients. Matching firm depth to project scale matters — a boutique residential QS and an infrastructure-experienced practice have very different cost databases and service models.
Wellington is home to a high concentration of government-procured construction and has a well-established professional QS sector with strong NZIQS representation. Seismic compliance work, earthquake-prone building remediation, and mixed-use urban development are key project categories. Labour costs and specialist subcontractor availability can affect schedules and budget in ways specific to the capital.
Ranked by Google rating weighted by number of reviews.
Elemental Quantity Surveyors offers quantity surveying expertise to Wellington developers, builders, and property owners, with a focus on transparent budgeting and cost control.
Wellington House Surveys provides professional quantity surveying and cost management services for clients in Wellington and the surrounding region.
Based in Wellington, Fair & Square Building Services Limited delivers cost planning, estimating, and commercial advisory services across residential and commercial construction projects.
CM - New Zealand Limited offers quantity surveying expertise to Wellington developers, builders, and property owners, with a focus on transparent budgeting and cost control.
Ninety3 Limited supports Wellington construction projects with professional quantity surveying, cost estimates, and procurement guidance.
Filter by service, sort by rating or review volume, or search by firm name.
Showing 15 of 15 firms.
5.0(23 Google reviews · Exceptional)
Elemental Quantity Surveyors offers quantity surveying expertise to Wellington developers, builders, and property owners, with a focus on transparent budgeting and cost control.
View Profile5.0(21 Google reviews · Exceptional)
Wellington House Surveys provides professional quantity surveying and cost management services for clients in Wellington and the surrounding region.
Phone: 027 222 4328
Services: Quantity surveying, Cost planning
5.0(19 Google reviews · Exceptional)
Based in Wellington, Fair & Square Building Services Limited delivers cost planning, estimating, and commercial advisory services across residential and commercial construction projects.
View Profile4.9(10 Google reviews · Exceptional)
CM - New Zealand Limited offers quantity surveying expertise to Wellington developers, builders, and property owners, with a focus on transparent budgeting and cost control.
View Profile5.0(6 Google reviews · Exceptional)
Ninety3 Limited supports Wellington construction projects with professional quantity surveying, cost estimates, and procurement guidance.
View Profile5.0(3 Google reviews · Exceptional)
Robertson Surveying Ltd is a Wellington quantity surveying practice supporting residential and commercial clients with estimating, cost planning, and contract services.
View Profile4.5(2 Google reviews · Excellent)
Kensway Consultants Ltd is a Wellington quantity surveying practice supporting residential and commercial clients with estimating, cost planning, and contract services.
View Profile4.5(2 Google reviews · Excellent)
AdamsonShaw supports Wellington construction projects with professional quantity surveying, cost estimates, and procurement guidance.
View Profile5.0(1 Google reviews · Exceptional)
Workshop Quantity Surveyors supports Wellington construction projects with professional quantity surveying, cost estimates, and procurement guidance.
View Profile5.0(1 Google reviews · Exceptional)
Rider Levett Bucknall provides professional quantity surveying and cost management services for clients in Wellington and the surrounding region.
Phone: 04 384 9198
Website: rlb.com/en/offices/oceania/new-zealand/wellington/?geolocation=americas
Services: Quantity surveying, Cost planning
Operating from Wellington, RLB Quantity Surveyors helps property developers and homeowners manage construction costs through expert quantity surveying services.
Services: Quantity surveying
Operating from Wellington, Monastra Qs Consultants Ltd helps property developers and homeowners manage construction costs through expert quantity surveying services.
Phone: 04 381 3314
Services: Quantity surveying
Wellington-based Ortus International specialises in construction cost management, helping clients plan, procure, and deliver projects on budget.
View ProfileServing the Wellington market, WT (Wellington) provides independent cost advisory and quantity surveying services for new builds and renovations.
View ProfileServing the Wellington market, Quintons Limited provides independent cost advisory and quantity surveying services for new builds and renovations.
View ProfileQS fees in Wellington reflect the city's project complexity and consultant market. Typical ranges for independent QS services are:
| Service | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Residential new build cost plan (up to $1.5M) | $1,500 - $4,000 |
| Seismic strengthening cost assessment | $2,000 - $8,000 |
| Commercial fitout QS (full service) | $3,000 - $10,000 |
| Full project QS engagement (% of construction cost) | 0.75% - 2.5% |
| Government project tender review | $2,000 - $6,000 |
Wellington QS practices often carry premium rates for seismic expertise and government-sector procurement experience. Confirm that fee proposals include all deliverables, not just the initial cost plan.
Appointing the right Wellington QS means assessing seismic knowledge, project-type fit, and procurement experience alongside standard cost planning capability:
For earthquake-prone building work or seismic upgrades, confirm the QS has specific experience with structural remediation cost modelling — this is specialist knowledge, not standard residential QS practice.
Government-procured projects in Wellington often require procurement-specific reporting. Check that the firm understands government contract frameworks and can produce the required output formats.
Wellington's compact CBD and hilly terrain create site-specific access and logistics costs. A QS with local project history will carry more accurate allowances for these factors.
Check whether the firm has active relationships with Wellington-based specialist subcontractors — this helps calibrate pricing in a market where specialist availability is often the binding constraint.
Ask for references from projects of similar scale and type. Wellington is a small professional market and firm reputation carries real weight.
Yes, in most categories. Wellington's terrain, seismic requirements, and labour market typically add 5-15% to construction costs compared to New Zealand-wide averages. A local QS with current market data is essential to set a realistic budget before design development begins.
Not always. Seismic assessment and remediation cost planning often requires specific structural engineering input alongside QS services. Confirm whether the firm you are considering works closely with structural engineers and has delivered seismic remediation cost plans on comparable buildings.
Fixed-fee proposals based on project value and scope are common. For government projects, QS services may be tendered as part of a broader consultancy package. For private residential work, fixed-fee cost plans are the norm. Percentage fees apply more often on larger commercial and civic projects.
Yes. Reinstatement cost assessments (RCAs) for insurance purposes are a recognised QS service and are particularly relevant in Wellington given the city's earthquake exposure. Confirm the firm has RCA experience and understands the difference between replacement value and market value.
Bills of quantities are most commonly required on larger commercial, government, and multi-unit residential projects where competitive tendering demands an itemised scope. For smaller residential projects, a cost plan and specification are usually sufficient. Your QS can advise on the appropriate documentation level for your project.
Use these guides to understand construction costs before meeting your QS shortlist.