What is a Quantity Surveyor and How Do You Become One?

A Quantity Surveyor (QS) is a construction industry professional responsible for managing all costs related to building projects, from initial calculations to the final figures. To become one, the established path involves obtaining a relevant degree, gaining practical experience, and achieving chartered status with a recognized body like the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Their expertise in cost estimation, budgeting, and financial control is critical to preventing overspending and ensuring projects are delivered on budget.

What Does a Quantity Surveyor Do?

A Quantity Surveyor acts as the financial manager of a construction project. Their core duty is to ensure that a project’s resources are used efficiently and cost-effectively. This involves a wide range of tasks, making the role both office-based and site-oriented. Based on our assessment of industry standards, their key responsibilities include:

• Cost Estimating and Budgeting: They forecast the total cost of a project by analyzing blueprints (technical drawings of a building design) and calculating the required quantities and costs of materials, labor, and equipment.
• Cost Monitoring: They track all project expenditures against the initial budget, producing regular financial reports to keep stakeholders informed.
• Contract Negotiation: They help draft and negotiate contracts with clients, contractors, and suppliers to secure favorable terms.
• Project Management Support: They advise on project viability, select cost-effective materials, and conduct site visits to monitor progress and resolve financial issues.

The role demands a combination of strong numerical, communication, and negotiation skills to liaise effectively between clients, architects, and construction teams.

What Skills Are Essential for a Successful Quantity Surveyor?

To excel in this role, certain competencies are non-negotiable. These skills ensure a QS can handle the financial and communicative demands of complex projects.

How Can You Become a Quantity Surveyor?

The career path to becoming a Quantity Surveyor is structured, with several key milestones. While some routes exist without a degree, the most common and effective path involves formal education and professional accreditation.

1. Pursue a Relevant Degree The most straightforward route is to complete an undergraduate degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management. Many universities offer RICS-accredited degrees, which streamline the path to becoming chartered. Coursework typically covers construction technology, law, economics, and measurement. For those with a degree in an unrelated field, postgraduate conversion courses are available.

2. Gain Practical Experience Academic knowledge must be complemented by hands-on experience. There are several ways to gain this footing:

• Apprenticeships: Allow you to earn while learning on the job under the supervision of experienced professionals.
• Internships: Provide short-term, supervised experience, often during a degree, and are excellent for building a professional network.
• Entry-Level Positions: Roles such as a QS Assistant offer a direct way to start applying your skills and understanding project workflows.

3. Achieve Chartered Status Becoming a chartered surveyor through the RICS is a significant career accelerator. It demonstrates a recognized level of competence and professionalism. The process involves completing the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), which requires a period of structured training and a final assessment of your technical and professional skills. Eligibility typically requires a RICS-accredited degree and several years of relevant experience.

4. Build Your Professional Network Networking within the industry is invaluable. Connect with peers and senior professionals through industry events, RICS memberships, and online platforms. These connections can provide mentorship, advice on career advancement, and alert you to new job opportunities.

What is the Typical Salary and Work Environment for a Quantity Surveyor?

According to industry salary surveys, a Quantity Surveyor in the UK can expect an average salary of £51,038 per year, though this can vary based on experience, location, and project size. The work environment is split between the office and construction sites. Time is spent in an office analyzing documents and creating reports, balanced with site visits to monitor progress, measure work completed, and attend meetings with site managers.

In summary, the key steps to a successful career as a Quantity Surveyor are: pursuing a RICS-accredited degree, gaining vital on-the-job experience through apprenticeships or internships, and committing to professional development by achieving chartered status. This career offers a dynamic role at the intersection of construction and finance, with strong demand for skilled professionals.