Careers
Quantity Surveyor
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Carrying out feasibility studies to estimate materials, time and labour costs
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Negotiating and drawing up bids for tenders/contracts
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Monitoring each stage of construction to make sure that costs are in line with forecasts
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Advising clients on legal and contractual matters
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Assessing the financial costs of new environmental guidelines, such as using sustainable timber
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Administration in relation to commercial and contractual requirements
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Deal with maintenance, renovation and demolition costs once buildings are in use
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Projects you could work on include: bridges, road, rail and waterways, housing and industrial sites, retail and
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commercial developments.
Possible duties:
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A good knowledge of construction methods and materials
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Ability to manage a budget
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IT and Maths skills
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Methodical approach
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Organisational skills
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Communication skills
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Negotiation skills
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Be able to work as part of a team
Skills needed
Your time would be split between the office and on site. Site work would be in all weathers and may involve travel. Generally working hours are Monday-Friday, 35-40 hours per week.
What to expect
Salaries
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Starting salaries can be from £20,000 and £25,000 per year
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With experience this can rise up to £45,000 per year
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Senior Chartered Quantity Surveyors can earn up to £80,000 per year
Possible routes
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A postgraduate course in surveying
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A BTED HNC, HND or foundation degree in surveying to enter the industry as a surveying technician. You would then need to further study to qualify as a quantity surveyor
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Apprenticeships in QS at technician level
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BSc (Hons) degree in surveying or a professional qualification accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) will be required to become a fully qualified QS.
As a quantity surveyor you would play a key role in a building project, managing the costs from early design plans, through to completion of the building. Your priorities would be to make sure that projects meet legal and quality standards and that clients get good value for money.
What would I do?
#exceptional
together
