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Building surveyor

Alternative titles for this job include

Building surveyors advise clients about the design, construction, maintenance and repair of buildings.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£70,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Building surveyor

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You'll usually need a degree or professional qualification approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in a subject like:

  • surveying
  • construction
  • civil engineering
  • building engineering

If you graduated in any other subject, you could do a surveying postgraduate conversion course. These usually lead to a master's degree or postgraduate diploma.

Entry requirements vary, so check with individual universities which degrees might be preferred.

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

Apprenticeship

You could do a chartered surveyor degree apprenticeship.

It may be possible to work towards this role by doing a surveying technician apprenticeship. This will teach you some of the skills and knowledge required. You would then need to take further qualifications to gain chartered surveyor status.

RICS has more information on surveying apprenticeships.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

If you have a relevant foundation degree or higher national diploma and are working, for example as a surveying technician, you may be able to get more qualifications on the job.

Other Routes

You could do a postgraduate surveying qualification through:

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about careers in surveying through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • analytical thinking skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • survey properties, identify structural faults and recommend repairs
  • assess damage for insurance purposes
  • establish who's responsible for building repair costs
  • advise clients on issues like property boundary disputes
  • act as an expert witness during legal proceedings
  • make sure properties meet building regulations, fire safety and accessibility standards
  • deal with planning applications and improvement or conservation grants

Working environment

You could work on a construction site, at a client's home or in an office.

Your working environment may be at height, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into project or senior management.

You could go into partnership in private practice or become self-employed as a consultant.

You could move into a related field, like building control.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Building Surveyor

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: WOLVERHAMPTON SCIENCE PARK, GLAISHER DRIVE, WOLVERHAMPTON

Rural Chartered Surveyor Apprenticeship Degree (MProf) 50:50 England/ Scotland

  • Wage: £35,000 a year Annually
  • Location: TATTON STREET, KNUTSFORD
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Diploma in Construction Skills

  • Provider: PRESTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 13 March 2025
  • Location: PRESTON

Diploma in Construction Skills

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

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