what is a senior quantity surveyor?
As a senior quantity surveyor, you use your extensive knowledge in building contracts negotiations to manage the expenses of building projects. Your job involves finding the best suppliers and contractors for projects based on the budgets and building requirements. You also work with architects to identify resources and materials necessary for a construction project. The role puts you in control of project budgets, and you need to account for all the expenses. It also means you monitor a project from the start to the end to ensure the construction crew sticks to the budget.
Senior quantity surveyors are involved in quantifying and budgeting costs of building works like housing developments, shopping malls and civil engineering schemes like airport runways or roads. While the projects vary, the principles used in quantifying costs are the same. The specific responsibilities of senior quantity surveyors depend on the organisation and scope of the job. For instance, consultancy construction companies require a senior quantity surveyor to oversee the preparation of front-end design work and budget projections for new projects. Academic institutions also need senior quantity surveyors for research, training and specialised consultancy. You usually oversee one major project or several overlapping projects simultaneously. Hence, you need multitasking and organisational skills to succeed in the role.
Would working in construction as a senior quantity surveyor suit your multitasking skills and love for numbers? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a senior quantity surveyor role.
senior quantity surveyor salary
According to ONS, a senior quantity surveyor in the UK earns £60,000 per year. The lower rate of pay is £52,500 annually for senior quantity surveyors with minimal skills and experience. When you have many years of experience, your salary increases to around £90,000 per year. You enjoy numerous benefits, including paid holidays, medical and life insurance, transport and housing allowances. You also receive higher hourly rates for working overtime and annual company bonuses.
what factors affect the salary of a senior quantity surveyor?
As a senior quantity surveyor, your salary depends on your experience level and academic qualifications. If you have five years of experience, your compensation package is lower than someone with ten years of experience. That is because they bring additional expertise and transferrable skills to the company. A master's graduate with chartered status also earns more due to their high level of expertise.
Your location and employer can influence your salary. For instance, working in large cities like London attracts a higher salary due to the high cost of living, while smaller towns pay less due to the low demand for senior quantity surveyors. Large multinational companies also pay more due to the unlimited resources, while small construction companies cannot afford to pay high salaries.
types of senior quantity surveyors
The types of senior quantity surveyors depend on who they work for. Some senior quantity surveyors work for contractors, while others work for consultancy firms.
- contractor's quantity surveyor: as a senior quantity surveyor working for a contractor, you focus on controlling costs during construction. You prepare budget projections and assist contractors in acquiring the best suppliers for materials. You also manage expenses during construction and develop cost-effective ways of completing projects.
- client's quantity surveyor: as a senior quantity surveyor working for a consultancy firm, you advise your client on the project scope and costs. You help them negotiate contracts with contractors and acquire building permissions. You also review front-end designs and develop ways to minimise costs.
working as a senior quantity surveyor
Are you looking forward to a career as a senior quantity surveyor? Discover the duties, work environment and work schedule expected in the role.
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senior quantity surveyor job description
Some of the tasks of a quantity surveyor include:
- providing commercial support: as a senior quantity surveyor, you provide commercial support to engineers and project managers by guiding the preparation of budgets, invoices and general commercial input to projects. You monitor the costs of projects by reviewing monthly financial forecasts against the actual costs. You can also recommend adjustments for variations in costs and future expenses.
- managing a team of junior quantity surveyors: as a senior quantity surveyor, you are in charge of many projects. That means you have to delegate tasks to junior quantity surveyors. You guide them on the cost estimation process or preparation of contracts and review reports. You also conduct training and development for junior quantity surveyors.
- reporting to clients and management: as a senior quantity surveyor, you report directly to clients and managers. Your job is to advise a client on the potential of a site after conducting a feasibility study. You present the valuation reports and cost estimation and determine what the client can afford. When the project commences, you inform the client of any budgets deviations and seek supplementary budget approval.
- tendering and negotiating contracts: a senior quantity surveyor plays a key role in procurement. You estimate the target costs and budget prices. You also prepare lump sum bids and compile enquiry documents for competitive bidding. When you get a favourable bid, you prepare tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities. Sometimes, you have to negotiate contracts to fit a client's budget.
- ensuring compliance with building regulations: a senior quantity surveyor advises clients or contractors on compliance issues and commercial risks associated with their projects. You also procure the necessary building permits to ensure the construction works comply with building regulations.
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work environment
A senior quantity surveyor works in the construction and civil engineering industries. You work either for a construction consultancy firm or for a contractor in charge of complex building projects. You also work for public and private sector companies dealing with infrastructure projects. Your work setting varies depending on the organisation and your employer. When you work for a consultancy, you spend most of your time negotiating contracts and attending meetings in an office environment. You rarely visit the work sites since junior quantity surveyors prepare comprehensive reports on progress.
When you work for a contractor, your office is on-site since you have to work closely with the construction crew to manage the costs. You work in all weather conditions in outdoor environments and are exposed to noise and dust from construction activities.
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who are your colleagues?
As a senior quantity surveyor working in the construction industry, your colleagues include quantity surveyors, civil engineers, contractors and project managers. You may also work with cost estimators and contracts managers, as well as other specialists that could include procurement managers, lawyers and accountants.
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work schedule
The work schedule of a senior quantity surveyor depends on the nature of the work. For instance, if you work in the office, you are likely to work the traditional business hours, 9 am to 5 pm. Office-based quantity surveyors typically work 40 hours a week, but late evening work may crop up when you have a looming deadline and high workload. When you work on-site, your workday starts a little earlier and may end in the evening, depending on the weather and project type. If you have to work alongside the construction crew, sometimes you work late at night or during holidays. Most infrastructure projects are done at night or during public holidays to avoid disrupting normal work routines.
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job outlook
When you are a senior quantity surveyor, your extensive knowledge and experience give you many opportunities for career progression. For instance, you can gain a charter and become a chartered quantity surveyor. You may also transition to management roles like project or construction management. Some senior quantity surveyors become directors of operations in construction companies. When you are chartered, you can open a consultancy firm.
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advantages of finding a senior quantity surveyor job through randstad
Finding your senior quantity surveyor job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a senior quantity surveyor is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
A senior quantity surveyor needs the following academic qualifications:
- university degree: you start your journey to a senior quantity surveyor role with a degree approved by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Relevant subjects include construction, civil engineering, maths and building studies. You can also do a postgraduate conversion from other roles.
- apprenticeship: you can also begin with a surveying technician advanced apprenticeship that involves on-the-job training. When you complete the apprenticeship, you should pursue other courses to qualify for a senior position in quantity surveying.
- work experience: to become a senior quantity surveyor, you need extensive work experience and a certification in construction skills management. You also need five years of experience in a junior quantity surveyor role.
skills and competencies
Skills and competencies of senior quantity surveyors include:
- aptitude for maths: as a senior quantity surveyor, you need numerical prowess to guide other surveyors through cost estimation processes. Mathematical knowledge is essential during the budgeting and tendering process.
- negotiation skills: as a senior quantity surveyor, you negotiate contracts on behalf of your client. Hence, you need good negotiation skills to get the best value for money and good contracts for your clients.
- analytical skills: a senior quantity surveyor reviews projected and actual financial reports. You need to analyse the reports and recommend ways to prevent deviations from budgets. Analytical skills help you analyse the reports and contractual terms.
- leadership skills: as a senior quantity surveyor, you need exceptional leadership skills to guide other quantity surveyors. You also need to motivate and inspire construction workers.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a senior quantity surveyor
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how much does a senior quantity surveyor make?
Senior quantity surveyors earn an average of £60,000 per year. With higher qualifications and experience, you can earn over £75,000 annually.
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what skills do senior quantity surveyors need?
A senior quantity surveyor needs knowledge of the construction process to understand building plans and schematics. They also need negotiation skills to get the best deals for their clients.
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how long does it take to be a senior quantity surveyor?
You start as a graduate quantity surveyor when you complete your degree programme before becoming an assistant quantity surveyor. You can become a senior quantity surveyor when you have five years of experience.
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how is a quantity surveyor paid?
The salary of a quantity surveyor depends on the experience and qualifications. For instance, a junior quantity surveyor earns lower than chartered surveyors.
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are quantity surveyors in demand in the UK?
Yes. Quantity surveyors are in demand in the UK due to the low supply of professional quantity surveyors.
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how do I apply for a senior quantity surveyor vacancy?
Applying for a senior quantity surveyor job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
