22 Jan 2026
Zhanellé Scholtz’s career focus has been on growing as a Quantity Surveyor, particularly in tendering and pre-construction planning. While working full-time, she’s also studying part-time to build her technical expertise. Alongside her professional development, Zhanellé is passionate about community and wellbeing initiatives.
At Fulton Hogan, she has led and supported projects such as Jammies for June for Middlemore Hospital and donating essentials to Under the Stars (a charity supporting homeless people), and coordinated donations for Homes of Hope, a charity that provides therapeutic foster care services. She also raised more than $1,000 by braving a skydive with Jump for Cancer. Zhanellé believes in the importance of helping others where she can, and is known for encouraging her colleagues to join in.
How do you work with engineers in your role?
I work closely with engineers when reviewing designs, assessing constructability and aligning cost estimates with technical solutions. Our collaboration ensures that the project scope, budget and methodology are realistic and achievable.
How does your work impact on engineers?
My work provides engineers with accurate cost and quantity data to inform their decisions. By aligning tender submissions with their designs, I help engineers focus on technical quality without losing sight of project affordability and client expectations.
How do engineering decisions impact on your work?
Engineering decisions directly influence project costs, materials and methodologies. A design change or technical specification can shift tender pricing and construction programming significantly, so adaptability is crucial in my role.
What are three observations you’d make after working with engineers?
- Engineers are incredibly detail-oriented, but also big-picture thinkers who balance innovation with practicality.
- They bring strong problem-solving skills, especially when unexpected challenges arise on a project.
- Collaboration improves outcomes – when engineers, surveyors and contractors work together, projects are delivered more efficiently and sustainably.
What do engineers all seem to do well?
Breaking down complex technical ideas into something practical and easy to understand, which makes collaboration across disciplines much smoother. Engineers are skilled at thinking ahead, considering not only how a project will be built, but how it will perform in the long term for communities and the environment.
What do you wish all engineers understood better about your role?
As a quantity surveyor, my role extends beyond numbers. I collaborate closely with engineers to align design decisions with the client’s vision and budget, providing cost and quantity insights that help turn concepts into reality. By working closely together from the start, engineers and quantity surveyors can avoid rework, keep projects within budget and ensure great ideas are delivered successfully.
This article was first published in the December 2025 issue of EG magazine.
