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How to become a Quantity Surveyor in the UK

Quantity Surveyors are the commercial managers of UK construction — running cost estimation, contract management and final-account negotiation across major UK building and infrastructure projects. The career is on the UK Skilled Worker shortage list with robust sponsor support at tier-one contractors and consultancies, and offers excellent ROI through RICS chartership.

Salary range£32K – £90K+
Demand levelVery high
Training time3 yr degree + RICS APC
Visa eligibilitySkilled Worker (shortage)

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What does a Quantity Surveyor do?

Quantity Surveyors (QS) manage the commercial side of construction projects. Pre-contract QS roles (typically consultancy-side at firms like Turner & Townsend, Currie & Brown, Mace) prepare cost estimates, run tender processes and advise clients on procurement strategy. Post-contract QS roles (typically contractor-side at firms like Balfour Beatty, Skanska, Costain) manage subcontractor accounts, valuations,



variations and final-account negotiation. Most UK QS roles work towards RICS Chartered Surveyor status (MRICS) through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

Estimate, control and report on construction project costs
Negotiate contracts, variations and final accounts
Specialise into pre-contract (PQS), post-contract (contractor-side) or commercial management
Work for tier-one contractors, major consultancies, developers and the public sector

Quantity surveyors work for tier-one contractors, major UK consultancies and developers across construction and infrastructure programmes.

UK salary ranges

UK QS pay scales sharply with chartership. Graduate Quantity Surveyors at tier-one contractors / consultancies start at £30,000–£38,000. Chartered Quantity Surveyors (MRICS, typically Year 3–4 post-graduation) reach £50,000–£65,000. Senior chartered QS roles managing major projects reach £75,000–£100,000. QS Directors at

📌 Quantity Surveyor (Thane)
🏢 Academy Education Network (AEN)
📍 Thane