A Quantity Surveyor job description outlines the role as someone responsible for managing all of the financial and contractual aspects of a construction project. They are involved with the project from start to finish, can get hired by a contractor or work as a consultant, and on larger projects, a Senior Quantity Surveyor may appoint Assistant or Trainee Quantity Surveyors to help with their workload.
Quantity Surveyors can be involved with the design stage or the construction stage of a project, meaning they are either advising on the expected costs of a build or are actively involved with managing a project’s budget and work onsite. They can either work as freelancers or be part of a larger company who may specialise in a certain sector of the construction industry.
A Quantity Surveyor may also be known as a ‘cost consultant’, ‘cost engineer’, ‘commercial manager’ or ‘cost manager’.
What does a Quantity Surveyor do?
A Quantity Surveyor is in charge of the budget and costs of a building project from start to finish. This may be on a small residential or domestic build or could apply to a much larger commercial construction project.
It is the responsibility of a Quantity Surveyor to make sure that a project’s costs do not exceed the budget, and check that all tasks are being completed in the most cost-effective way possible throughout the project’s duration. They are also in charge of bills, contracts and schedules, and will have to liaise with the client, project manager and other subcontractors involved in the work.
Quantity Surveyors who do consultancy work tend to work in a company office and have more regular work hours involving research, putting together documents, and meeting with clients. Those who are employed by a contractor for a construction project will tend to work on the building site in a temporary office, be required to visit the site frequently, and may work long hours that require shifts.
Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities
What a Quantity Surveyor does as part of their role depends on the nature of the project and whether they have been hired in a consultancy position or are actually in charge of a construction budget. Common tasks for a Quantity Surveyor, however, include:
- Estimating the budget for an entire construction project
- Gathering expected prices for all materials needed
- Drawing up all necessary financial documents for a project
- Updating financial records and project budget in the event of any changes
- Organising and obtaining contractors and subcontractors needed for the project
- Paying all of those involved in the project after their work is completed
- Measuring the project’s progress and valuing the work done at each stage
- Writing reports on progress, cost-effectiveness, and overall spend
Responsibilities will also depend on a surveyor’s level of experience, and whether they have been hired in a senior or assistant position. Trainee and Assistant Quantity Surveyors tend to be in charge of collecting data, relaying information and dealing with paperwork, whereas a Senior Quantity Surveyor will make the financial decisions for a project and organise the materials and staff needed to complete it.
Quantity Surveyor Salary
A Quantity Surveyor earns an average salary of £34,300 a year, but this varies quite a lot depending on how experienced they are and what qualifications they have. For example, after qualifying as a chartered Quantity Surveyor the average salary increases to reflect a higher level of knowledge and expertise.
The average salary for a Trainee Quantity Surveyor begins at around £18,000 a year and can reach up to £28,000 depending on your experience. Assistant Quantity Surveyors may also find their starting salaries are around £18,000 annually if they are just starting out, but this can increase to between £25,000 and £35,000 after gaining chartered status.
Senior Quantity Surveyors earn between £50,000 and £80,000 on average per year in their role, depending on their level of experience and how long they have been in the industry for (Source: Prospects).
Quantity surveying work experience or undertaking relevant training can increase both the salary of a Quantity Surveyor and their job prospects. There are also additional Quantity Surveyor qualifications to be gained alongside becoming chartered, which can be useful for those who specialise in a certain area of construction.
FAQs
What qualifications do you need to be a Quantity Surveyor?
Usually, to become a Quantity Surveyor you will need a degree in either quantity surveying or commercial management that is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It is also possible to gain Quantity Surveyor qualifications if you have a related degree in construction by taking a postgraduate conversion course that is accredited by the RICS.
You may be able to gain work experience as Trainee or Assistant Quantity Surveyor if you are undertaking a relevant degree or have a high NVQ qualification that relates to construction. There are also accredited apprenticeships available that combine work experience with studying at a university.
What is a chartered Quantity Surveyor?
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor is someone who has completed a high level of qualification in studies relating to quantity surveying, and has received accreditation for this knowledge. To become a chartered surveyor you must pass an Assessment of Professional Competence, which will grant you membership of the RICS and give you chartered status.
What makes a good Quantity Surveyor?
Many desirable traits lead to someone being a good Quantity Surveyor, the most important of which is probably the ability to think critically when presented with data and make informed judgments and decisions. Traits such as good verbal and written communication skills are also essential, along with the ability to work well in a team and take on a leadership role when necessary. A Quantity Surveyor must also be incredibly organised and detail-orientated if they want to do well in the role, and be able to work to schedule efficiently.
Summary
A Quantity Surveyor career is best suited to those who are analytical and good with data but also have a knack for working with other people and leading a team. You can learn more about how to become a quantity surveyor by reading our page about it here.
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