Are you interested in a building surveyor job but are not sure of the opportunities that exist within the profession? What specifically does a building surveyor get up to on a day–to-day basis? Let’s take a closer look.

Building surveyor jobs.

A surveyor values, costs and measures the built infrastructure of the environment’s physical assets, from small home extensions to massive multimillion-pound construction developments.

Many specialisms exist within the sector.

Building surveyors specifically advise on the development, design and restoration of buildings new and old. This involves a wide range of specialisms within building surveying, from the focus on helping owners redevelop and restore listed buildings, to advising on the construction of new retail, leisure or office complexes.

This will sometimes entail working on architecturally or historically important buildings, helping to maintain them for the next generation, as well as working on the design and development of new cutting-edge constructions, such as the Shard in London.

Surveyors are sometimes called upon to appear as expert witnesses in court cases where regulations have been broken, and at enquiries where opinions differ as to how to best restore or develop a site. Some will work directly for construction companies, some for specialist surveying firms, and others for a wide variety of companies that require niche-surveying knowledge, such as insurers or local authorities.

On a day-to-day basis, a Building Surveyor’s role is likely to include:

Surveyors split their time between working on site and in an office.
Tracking construction projects to ensure they are meeting milestones and keeping to budget.
Developing proposals asking contractors to tender for work.
Inspecting existing buildings and writing reports on their current state of repair, and making proposals for rectifying defects and any proposed redevelopments.
Working with Quantity Surveyors to help determine costs for proposed works.
Creating specific designs for clients, complete with outline costings and timeframes.
Meeting with clients and other stakeholders, such as local residents, to discuss planned projects and determining suitable amendments that can be made to accommodate any objections.
Collaborating with clients to help secure planning permission for proposed works.
Advising on property law and relevant legislation and building regulations, including ensuring they keep up to date with changing guidelines and rules.
Driving around sites in progress to keep an eye on developments and be prepared to trouble-shoot solutions if problems occur during the build process.
Advising on health and safety aspects of building development as well as eco-friendly requirements.

Building Surveyors enter the profession with a relevant degree, in a subject such as building engineering, civil engineering, construction or surveying, and then commence their work related training. Most Building Surveyors choose to become Chartered Surveyors by taking membership of RICS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, either by completing an accredited undergraduate degree or other postgraduate qualification and then working in the industry for two years, or through employment experience based routes.

It is worth considering seeking a degree course that allows a sandwich year to be taken. Manchester Metropolitan University is just one institution that offers sandwich years working in the industry. Potential employers view this valuable year of practical experience favourably. It looks very good on a CV and an employment agency would regard it as a strong selling point for a candidate seeking a building surveyor job.

There are also opportunities for 16 - 24 year olds to enter for unqualified apprenticeship places, thereby establishing a route into the career for all who are interested.

categories

topic