Quantity surveyor
Quantity surveyors oversee construction projects, managing risks, controlling costs and making sure work is completed on time.
- Starter salary£26,000 a year
- Experienced£70,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a quantity surveyor, you could:
- find out a client's needs and check if the plans are feasible
- work out quantities and costs of materials, time and labour for tenders
- negotiate contracts and work schedules
- advise on legal matters, including commercial risks and disputes
- monitor costs through each stage of a construction project
- report on finances and prepare accounts for payment
- keep up to date with developments in construction methods
- make sure health and safety and building regulations are followed
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a client's business or on a construction site.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of building and construction
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a quantity surveyor
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
University
You could do a quantity surveying degree or a postgraduate conversion course accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors .
Related degree subjects include:
- construction
- structural or civil engineering
- building surveying
- maths
- geography
- economics
- land studies
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, with a quantity surveying business or construction company. Apprenticeships include:
- Construction Quantity Surveyor
- Chartered Surveyor
These take between 3 and 5 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a learning provider.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start work as a surveying technician or surveying assistant with a company, and study part time to become a quantity surveyor.
Other routes
You could get a postgraduate surveying qualification through a graduate trainee scheme with a company, or through distance learning with the University of the Built Environment .
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior quantity surveyor or move into senior project management, supply chain management, consultancy work or self-employment.
You could specialise in areas like planning, risk assessment or contract disputes.
You could also apply for chartered surveyor status , to have your skills and expertise recognised, and to improve your career prospects.
Registration
- you can register with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to become a chartered surveyor through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) scheme
Guides for this industry
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