Quantity surveyors

What does a quantity surveyor do?

Quantity surveyors manage all costs relating to building projects, and are an important part of ensuring any construction project sticks to its budgeted costs and doesn’t exceed them.

They are involved at all stages, from the early calculations to the finalised figure once a project is complete. Quantity surveyors always work to reduce the costs of a project and increase value for money – while still maintaining the required standards and quality. 

It's also their job to negotiate with the client's representative on payments and the final settlement.

A quantity surveyor can have various points of contact in any projects, whether its because they are working for the client or the contractor, and they can be based either in an office or on site.

Quantity surveyors can also be known as construction, cost consultant or commercial manager.

A quantity surveyor will be expected to:

• Provide costs analysis for repair and maintenance project work.
• Provide advice on procurement.
• Carry out early stage budgets and detailed cost plans.
• Undertake feasibility studies for the client.
• Ensure risk and value management and cost control.

Qualifications and training

There are no specific requirements to begin training as a quantity surveyor, although most entrants have A-Levels / Higher Grades.

To become a qualified quantity surveyor, you will need to achieve a BTEC or HND/HNC, and to achieve this you will need 4 GCSE passes (A-C) / Standard Grades (1-3).

There are several routes to training, either through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). To join the CIOB, you will need to hold an honours degree plus have two years relevant experience or pass the CIOB examination.

Salary

Graduate quantity surveyors can expect to earn around £14,000, a chartered surveyor about £24,000, while an associate will earn roughly £35,000. Salaries in London are higher.

Find quantity surveyor jobs

Browse quantity surveyor (and estimator) jobs on ConstructionJobsUK.