About The Position

As a quantity surveyor you’ll manage all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Working either for the client or the contractor, in an office or on site, you’ll be involved in a project from the start.

You’ll seek to minimise the cost of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality. This includes ensuring statutory building regulations are met. You’ll prepare estimates and costs of the work and when the project is in progress, you’ll keep track of any variations to the contract that may affect costs and create reports to show profitability.

Alternative job titles include construction cost consultant and commercial manager.

Responsibilities

As a quantity surveyor, you’ll need to:

• prepare tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with the architect and/or the client
• undertake cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work
• assist in establishing a client’s requirements and undertake feasibility studies
• perform risk, value management and cost control
• advise on a procurement strategy
• identify, analyse and develop responses to commercial risks
• prepare and analyse costings for tenders
• allocate work to subcontractors
• provide advice on contractual claims
• analyse outcomes and write detailed progress reports
• value completed work and arrange payments
• maintain awareness of the different building contracts in current use
• understand the implications of health and safety regulations.

Once you’ve gained sufficient experience and specialist knowledge, you may also:

• offer advice on property taxation
• provide post-occupancy advice, facilities management services and life cycle costing advice
• assist clients in locating and accessing additional and alternative sources of funding
• enable clients to initiate construction projects
• advise on the maintenance costs of specific buildings.

Working hours

Working hours vary. If you work as a contractor on site, your working hours may be 7.30am to 6.00pm, while in private practice or in a local government department, your hours may fit the more standard 8.30am to 5.30pm. Occasional weekend work may be required.

What to expect

• The work is office based (which may be on a construction site) but also includes site visits, which can take up a whole day.
• Quantity surveying is a male-dominated profession, but the number of female recruits is growing in both private practice and the public sector.
• Self-employment/freelance work is frequently possible with experience.
• Travel within a working day is likely and may involve overnight stays depending on the location.
• Opportunities for overseas posts and for occasional overseas work or travel are available. This varies according to the type of employer and the location of the site and the client.

Qualifications

You can take a degree in quantity surveying, accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), but you do not have to have studied this subject to enter the profession.

If you have a degree in a different subject you can take a postgraduate conversion course, which is also accredited by RICS. The first degree can be in any subject but those which may provide relevant knowledge include:

• building or construction
• civil or structural engineering
• economics
• geography
• mathematics
• urban and land studies.

The RICS accredited postgraduate courses will enable graduates to work as quantity surveyors. A list of relevant courses is available at RICS Course.

The postgraduate course takes one year to complete full time and around two years part time. Some employers may take on graduates as ‘non-cognates’ (those with a degree that is not RICS accredited) and support and fund them through the postgraduate course.

Those without a degree may start in the industry as a technical surveyor (also known as surveying technicians), but to secure work as a quantity surveyor you’ll need to complete a degree (possibly through part-time study while working). If the degree is in a non-related subject, you’ll also need to complete a conversion course.

Further study is essential in order to gain chartership and membership of RICS. Relevant work experience, either on site or within an office, gives you a valuable start.

Skills

You’ll need to show:

• a practical and logical mind and a methodical way of thinking
• a creative and innovative approach to problem solving
• strong numeracy and financial management skills
• the ability to learn sophisticated design and costing IT packages
• the ability to write clear and precise reports and to relate complex information in a simple way to a diverse range of people
• negotiation and team work skills
• the ability to motivate and lead those on site
• detailed knowledge of past and current building and construction technology, processes, materials, business and legal matters.

Work experience

Work experience is extremely helpful when trying to secure a job. Employers look for your dedication and enthusiasm for the field and any working knowledge you may have. It’s also a good way to confirm that you are following the right career path.

Many firms offer structured placements which may last from a few days to a whole summer vacation. Check firms’ websites for details or apply speculatively. Use the RICS Find a Surveyor facility for contact information.