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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)

£28,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40

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

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 (RICS) in a subject like:

  • surveying
  • construction
  • civil engineering
  • building engineering

If you graduated in an unrelated subject, you may be able to do a surveying postgraduate conversion course.

Course entry requirements vary, so check with individual universities which degrees they accept.

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 apply to do a Chartered Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with a construction or surveying company.

It may be possible to work towards this role by doing a Surveying Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. You would then need to follow this up with further training to qualify as a surveyor.

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 study for more qualifications on the job to become a building surveyor.

Other Routes

If you have a degree, 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
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • 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

As a building surveyor, you could:

  • inspect 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 also move into a related career, like building control.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Assistant Cost Consultant/Quantity Surveyor - Apprentice

  • Wage: £29,000 a year Annually
  • Location: BLACK BULL YARD, 24-28 HATTON WALL, LONDON

Apprentice Commercial Property Surveyor

  • Wage: £23,587.20 a year Annually
  • Location: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Diploma in Construction Skills

  • Provider: Nova Training
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Clacton on Sea

Diploma in Construction Skills

  • Provider: ACCESS TRAINING (EAST MIDLANDS) LTD
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Nottingham
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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