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Construction

Quantity Surveyor

Quantity surveyors estimate and control the costs of construction projects, manage contracts and advise on value. RICS chartered status is a common progression option but not required to work as a quantity surveyor.

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Career fit

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Entry level
£26,000 (starter)
Mid-career (typical)
£26k – £70k
Senior / lead
£70,000 (experienced)
What you'll do

A day in the life

  • Estimate and track project costs
  • Prepare tenders and contracts
  • Measure and value completed work
  • Visit sites to check progress
  • Negotiate with contractors and clients
The path

Your career roadmap

Every milestone from school to senior. Track progress as you complete each stage.

  1. 1

    GCSEs

    education
    Usually 2 years at school; resit courses vary

    Build maths, English and analytical skills useful for measuring construction work, calculating costs and understanding contracts.

  2. 2

    A Levels or equivalent

    education
    Usually 2 years; Access courses often 1 year

    Complete Level 3 study that meets quantity surveying degree entry requirements, developing numerical, analytical and communication skills.

  3. 3

    Quantity Surveying degree

    qualification
    Usually 3–4 years full-time; longer part-time

    Study construction technology, measurement, cost planning, procurement and contract administration, ideally through a RICS-accredited quantity surveying degree.

  4. 4

    Graduate / assistant quantity surveyor

    role
    Often 1–2 years before greater responsibility

    Support experienced surveyors with measurements, estimates, tender documents, valuations and project cost reports in your first quantity surveying role.

  5. 5

    Professional experience

    experience
    Often around 2 years initially, overlapping graduate employment

    Build supervised experience across procurement, valuations, cost control, contract administration and final accounts on live projects.

  6. 6

    Quantity Surveyor

    role
    Usually several years; progression varies

    Manage project budgets, procurement, payments, variations and final accounts, taking responsibility for defined projects or substantial work packages.

  7. 7

    Senior Quantity Surveyor

    role
    Usually reached after several years of relevant experience

    Lead commercial delivery on larger or more complex projects, oversee junior surveyors and advise clients or project leaders on financial risk.

  8. 8

    Chartered / specialist progression

    certification
    APC structured training often takes 24 months; other pathways vary

    Pursue optional RICS chartership through the appropriate assessment pathway, or deepen expertise in areas such as disputes, infrastructure or commercial management.

What you need

Skills you'll build

Qualifications
  • Quantity surveying degree
  • Chartered surveyor degree apprenticeship (Level 6)
Certifications
  • MRICS (chartered status)
  • CIOB membership