Construction Quantity Surveyor
Careers Explorer:
Good with money – managing all costs relating to construction projects.
Overview
As a Construction Quantity Surveyor, you will manage and lead the financial aspects of complex construction projects. Ultimately, keeping a tight control of all expenditure and income, making sure your client’s needs are met and you’re bringing in the right people for the job.
You will need to become a savvy and reliable financial accountant, intimately familiar with facets of construction, as well as being a leader and manager who is confident and able to settle disputes.
Top 5 Tasks
- Manage and lead the cost aspects of complex construction projects
- Understanding of the client’s needs
- Manage the selection of the specialist contractors for the project
- Ensure that disputes are minimised and settled amicably for all parties
- Manage the commercial success of a project for all stakeholders.
Salary
Newly trained quantity surveyors can earn in the region of £25,000 – £35,000
Trained with experience quantity surveyors can earn in the region of £35,000 – £45,000. Senior or chartered quantity surveyors can earn in the region of £45,000 – £65,000.
Salaries depend on location, employer and level of responsibility. Salaries and career options also improve with chartered status.
Am I Suited?
- Excellent communicator
- Mathematical brain
- Team player
- Attention to detail
- Good with numbers
A total of 6.6% of all jobs in the UK are in the construction industry.
Qualifications
Quantity surveyors usually hold a relevant degree in Quantity Surveying, or follow a work-based route doing a Surveying Apprenticeship.
You can then follow this with a degree accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). This improves your chances of getting a job after your studies.
It’s possible to do an accredited masters degree and some construction companies and construction agencies may allow you to do your post-graduate qualification on the job. If you have a non-relevant degree you must take an RICS-recognised post-graduate conversion course.
To qualify for chartered status, you must complete the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) while you are working and have at least two years’ work experience. To apply for CIOB chartered status, you will need an accredited honours degree and two years’ relevant work experience.
