QS hourly rates slide by 17%

Quantity surveyors' fees have plunged 10-17% in the past year, a bigger fall than any other construction consultant.

The Fees Bureau annual survey revealed that average hourly rates for a sole principal in a quantity surveying firm fell by 17% over the last 12 months.

Associates saw hourly rates drop 10%.

Meanwhile, consulting civil and structural engineers saw no significant change in rates, the bureau said. Architects suffered a 4% fall over the period.