Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Quantity surveyor

Quantity surveyor

Alternative titles for this job include

Quantity surveyors oversee construction projects, managing risks, controlling costs and making sure work is completed on time.

Average salary (a year)

£26,000 Starter

to

£70,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

Meet Isabel and Jack

Isabel and Jack both take part in a degree apprenticeship. They study at university part time and work the rest of the week as assistant quantity surveyors.

1 minute 50 second watch

View transcript

Jack: I'm Jack.

Isabel: I’m Isabel.

Both: And we are assistant quantity surveyors at Collins Earthworks.

Isabel: So from growing up from a young girl, my dad worked in the industry, so I've always grown up around it and found it interesting. I knew it was the career I wanted to go into. I looked into QS-ing and I found it interesting to look at the financial side of a project while also being crucial to the project development. I'm on a degree apprenticeship at Nottingham Trent University, so it consists of going one day a week to do my studies and the rest at work.

Jack: I finished secondary school, got my qualifications and I knew I wanted to go into something quite specific, and I chose a construction course. Quite enjoyed sort of touching on the financial aspects of the industry. So naturally I just went for the quantity surveying apprenticeship. So I'm working four days a week for Collins and then one day a week I’m at Coventry University. The idea is what you learn at uni as an apprentice the next day, you can maybe transfer what you've learned into your actual working day.

Isabel: Essentially as a quantity surveyor you’re managing the costs of a project, making sure it's working to its timeline, making sure it's working contractually as agreed. Estimating changes, estimating quotes. Making sure that all the clients are happy, liaising with other contractors.

Jack: Organisational skills is a big one. Because we're constantly meeting deadlines for clients.

Isabel: Being able to work under pressure and have that ability to, to make your decision when you need to.

Jack: The general consensus is when you think of construction, it's out here on site, but not many people see what we're doing in the background in the office. Obviously, you're constantly on the phone to your clients, constantly liaising with your site team about various different things. So it's really good to have that basic skill of communication I’d say.

Isabel: Just because you're a girl doesn't mean that you can't do a job like this. And it can be intimidating, obviously you are in a male dominated industry. We need people to make that change, and it's got to start somewhere. If it's something you want to go into, then don't let that stop you, regardless of your age, regardless of your gender.

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 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

Apprenticeship

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

Work

You could start work as a surveying technician or surveying assistant with a company, and study part time to become a quantity surveyor.

Other Routes

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.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a quantity surveyor from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Go Construct.

What it takes

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

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

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 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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Rural Chartered Surveyor Apprenticeship Degree (MProf) 100% ENGLAND/ KNUTSFORD

  • Wage: £35,000 a year Annually
  • Location: TATTON STREET, KNUTSFORD

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

HNC Quantity Surveying

  • Provider: MID-KENT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Maidstone

HNC Quantity Surveying (HTQ) Part Time

  • Provider: OAKLANDS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: Welwyn Garden City
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.