Quantity surveyor
Quantity surveyors oversee construction projects, managing risks, controlling costs and making sure work is completed on time.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a quantity surveyor, you could:
- find out a client's needs and check 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 commercial risks and disputes
- monitor costs through each stage of a construction project
- report on finances and prepare accounts for payment
- keep up to date with developments in construction methods
- make sure health and safety and building regulations are followed
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a client's business or on a construction site.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
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.
You could also apply for chartered surveyor status, to have your skills and expertise recognised, and to improve your career prospects.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of building and construction
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
You could do a quantity surveying degree or a postgraduate conversion course accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Related degree subjects include:
- construction
- structural or civil engineering
- building surveying
- 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
You could apply to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, with a quantity surveying business or construction company. Apprenticeships include:
- Construction Quantity Surveyor
- Chartered Surveyor
These take between 3 and 5 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a learning provider.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could start work as a surveying technician or surveying assistant with a company, and study part time to become a quantity surveyor.
You could get a postgraduate surveying qualification through a graduate trainee scheme with a company, or through distance learning with the University of the Built Environment.
Registration
- you can register with the Royal Institution 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.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.