quantity surveyor

what is a quantity surveyor?

Quantity surveyors are often referred to as construction cost consultants since they manage project finances and maintain contractual relationships. A construction quantity surveyor will report on the financial aspect of a project, ensuring value for money and cost optimisation throughout the construction process.

Aside from focusing on cost, quantity surveyors also make sure that construction plans are of high quality, that all appropriate legislation is followed, and that the construction site doesn't have any safety violations.

what does a quantity surveyor do?

Professional responsibilities include preparing construction plans to ensure high-quality work and managing a project's budget, including contracts for large construction projects such as buildings and infrastructure. The role also involves visiting the construction site regularly to ensure that workers observe safety measures.

A quantity surveyor will liaise with architects and civil engineers on-site to develop building plans that remain within the budget but also maintain the required standards. It is the job of the quantity surveyor to notify the stakeholders about the progress of a project and whether it requires a supplementary budget. Quantity surveyors also play a vital role in making developments as sustainable, reusable and low-energy as possible.

If you have great financial management skills, know how to find the best deals and love to travel, then a career in quantity surveying could be ideally suited to you. Our guide will explain everything that you need to know, including the skills needed for the role, the types of duties involved and how to become a quantity surveyor.

Check out these testimonials from quantity surveyors and read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a quantity surveyor role.

quantity surveyor jobs

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how much does a quantity surveyor earn?

According to the National Careers Service, the average annual salary for a quantity surveyor at the start of their career in the UK is £25,000. Experienced surveyors with high educational qualifications can earn more than £80,000 a year. Apart from the basic wages, quantity surveyors also receive numerous benefits as part of the compensation package.

Some companies provide transport allowance or fuel allowance due to the frequent travelling involved in the role. Health insurance is also often included due to the safety risks in construction sites. Other benefits can include bonuses or overtime pay.

how to increase your quantity surveyor salary

The salary that you earn as a quantity surveyor depends on multiple factors. Your experience and academic qualifications determine whether you will earn an entry-level salary or top wages in the industry. Improving your capabilities or verifying your skills through certification increases your pay.

The company size also determines the amount that your employer is willing to pay. For example, large companies handle big projects with huge budgets; hence they pay higher salaries due to the complexity of the work. The location also dictates your pay bracket due to the cost of living, with urban areas offering better compensation packages.

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types of quantity surveyor

Quantity surveyors can be categorised into types, depending on the employer. Some include:

client's quantity surveyor: a consultant or client's quantity surveyor will assist a client to accomplish projects within their predetermined budget. That means creating an economic plan and regularly updating clients on the project progress.
contractor's quantity surveyor: when a contractor employs a quantity surveyor, the job is to prepare cost estimates and manage the construction budget for them. That involves coming up with cost-effective ideas and ensuring safety at the construction site.
project quantity surveyor: the role of a project quantity surveyor is to regulate project costs, carry out a tender appraisal and review a project when it ends.

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working as a quantity surveyor

If you’re wondering why you should become a quantity surveyor, we’ve put together an in-depth guide to some of the duties you could be tasked with on a day-to-day basis, so that you can see for yourself whether this rewarding career could be suited to your goals.

quantity surveyor job description
Specific duties and responsibilities of a quantity surveyor depend on the employer and the type of project, but some typical responsibilities include:
- estimating material costs: your primary responsibility as a cost consultant is to determine the types of materials required for construction and provide an accurate estimate of the costs. You will also advise your clients or the contractor on cost-effective materials for a project.
- examining structural drawings: quantity surveyors need to study construction blueprints and estimate a project's cost. Sometimes, you will work with architects to come up with economic construction plans.
- negotiating contracts: to maintain the construction budget, quantity surveyors need to negotiate contracts for clients. If you are working for contractors, you also need to find suppliers offering the best deals for materials.
- maintaining documentation and tracking costs: another aspect of your job is to track finances from the beginning of a project to the end. Hence, you need proper cost documentation, from budgets to purchase receipts and negotiated contracts.
- managing projects: during construction, it is your job to manage resources to ensure projects stay within their budgets. You should also conduct regular assessments and review changes to construction plans that could affect costs.
- analysing project finances: as a quantity surveyor, responsibilities involve reviewing your client’s finances and their impact on the construction project. You should create a financial forecast that helps your clients to determine if they can afford to finance a construction project.
Quantity surveyors interact with a lot of colleagues. You will usually be part of a team of architects and electrical and mechanical engineers, the technical coordinator’s role and other construction cost controller profiles, such as estimators.
work environment

As a quantity surveyor, you spend most of your day working in the office, creating budgets and reviewing contracts. If you work for a contractor, your office could be a temporary setup at the construction site. However, if you work for a consultancy firm, your office is likely to be on the company's premises.

Quantity surveyors also work on construction sites to monitor the use of resources and materials. That means that you could be exposed to extreme weather conditions and other health-and-safety hazards.
work schedule

Becoming a quantity surveyor is usually a full-time position, and you can work between 37 to 40 hours a week. Based on the project complexity and pressure to meet deadlines, you will likely work some evenings and weekends.

Finding a part-time position as a quantity surveyor is rare, although some consultancy firms offer part-time opportunities. Venturing into self-employment is also an option, but you need to work in a company to gain experience before becoming a private quantity surveyor. The job also requires a lot of travelling from the office to construction sites, as well as client meetings.
job outlook
A quantity surveyor job is rewarding since you play a significant part in cost-optimisation throughout a project. You can build your career steadily from an entry-level position up to the position of senior quantity surveyor.
- When you complete the charter training and meet qualification requirements, you will become a chartered quantity surveyor. With top-level experience, it is possible to move into a senior project manager position or become a supply chain manager. Some quantity surveyors also specialise in risk assessment and planning.

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How to become a quantity surveyor

If you’re wondering how to become a quantity surveyor, you’ll find numerous paths to establishing your career, but you will need to have some form of official degree or other qualification.

qualifications needed to be a quantity surveyor

university degree: to become a quantity surveyor, you could get an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate conversion. Some of the degree subjects to consider are construction, civil engineering, quantity surveying and economics. The course or the training provider should also be accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The entry requirements for most undergraduate degrees are two or three A Levels, while a postgraduate course requires a degree.
surveying apprenticeship: you can become a quantity surveyor by taking an advanced surveying technician apprenticeship or a chartered surveyor degree apprenticeship. For the advanced apprenticeship, you need five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, while the degree apprenticeship requires four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4.
charter: as a graduate, you can work towards gaining a charter from RICS by completing your Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and an on-the-job training scheme. This will enable you to become a trained, industry-recognised professional with expert knowledge and a high standard of quantity surveyor skills. In turn, this can lead to an increase in salary.
The length of time that this takes to achieve depends on your experience. When you have over five years' experience, you will complete the assessment in 12 months. However, if your work experience is below five years, the APC will take 24 months.

what are the important quantity surveyor skills?

Apart from strong numeracy skills and financial management abilities, you’ll need a wide range of soft skills and competencies to succeed as a quantity surveyor:

analytical ability: your daily job will involve analysing budgets, expenses, contracts and blueprints, and a good set of analytical skills will help you to achieve your goals. These skills will also allow you to take an elaborate approach to processes and pay attention to minor details. Expertise in using analytical tools like Excel also comes in handy.
communication skills: as a quantity surveyor, you need proficient communication abilities to explain the impact of costs to clients and contractors. Written communication also helps you in preparing various documents such as contracts and budgets.
negotiation skills: since you need to get the best deals for construction and materials, negotiation skills are essentials. Aside from negotiating contracts, sometimes you’ll need to convince the construction crew to use the plans that you recommend, to ensure that the budget is maintained.
computer skills: most of the budgets you prepare, as we all as cost estimation, are done digitally, which means that you’ll need to have good computing skills. You might also need to have expertise in computerised drawing.

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