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All Job CategoriesQuantity surveyor
Quantity surveyor
Quantity surveyors oversee construction projects, managing risks and controlling costs.
Average salary (a year)
£25000
Starter
£80000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
occasionally
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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.
Useful degree subjects include
construction, structural or civil engineering, maths, geography, economics, land studies
construction, structural or civil engineering, 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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could take a surveying technician advanced apprenticeship, followed by further training on the job, or a chartered surveyor or construction quantity surveyor degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start work as a surveying technician or surveying assistant, 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 College of Estate Management.
More Information
Registrations
you can register with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors to become a chartered surveyor through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) scheme
Further Information
You can find out more about becoming a quantity surveyor from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and
Go Construct.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
Maths knowledge
To be thorough and pay attention to detail
Analytical thinking skills
Knowledge of engineering science and technology
Persistence and determination
Knowledge of building and construction
The ability to use your initiative
Thinking and reasoning skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Day to day tasks
In your day-to-day tasks you could
find out a client's needs and assess 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 risks and disputes, monitor sub-contractors and stages of construction, report on costs and prepare accounts for payment, keep up to date with construction methods and materials, follow health and safety and building regulations
find out a client's needs and assess 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 risks and disputes, monitor sub-contractors and stages of construction, report on costs and prepare accounts for payment, keep up to date with construction methods and materials, follow health and safety and building regulations
Working environment
You could work at a client's business or in an office.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
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.
Another option is to move into lecturing at a university or college.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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