Quantity surveyor
Estimate and control the costs for a construction project. You'd make sure it's good value for money and recommend sustainable, eco-friendly materials.
About the job
What it's like
You'd estimate and control the costs for a construction project from the early design plans through to the completed building. You’d make sure that projects meet legal and quality standards.
Your client - the company or organisation which is paying for the building - would rely on you to make sure that the project is good value for money.
There are lots of different projects you could work on, including:
housing and industrial sites
retail and commercial developments
roads, railways and waterways
You would:
do feasibility studies to estimate the timescales and the costs of materials and labour
negotiate with suppliers and draw up bids for tenders and contracts
monitor the construction to make sure that costs are in line with forecasts
regularly report on the costs
advise your clients on legal and contractual matters
act on clients' behalf to resolve disputes
assess the financial costs of new environmental guidelines, such as using sustainable timber
You'd use computer software to carry out some of these tasks, and to keep records, prepare work schedules and write reports. You might also deal with the maintenance and renovation costs once buildings are in use.
It would be important to have a good knowledge of construction methods and materials. You’d also need to understand Building Regulations and other legal guidelines.
Green job
In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. You could:
recommending sustainable, energy-efficient materials and technologies
understanding green building certifications and making sure projects meet environmental standards
Hours
You'd normally work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, although some overtime may be required on evenings or weekends.
Environment
Your time would be split between office-based duties and site visits.
Travel
You'd spend a lot of time visiting sites.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Quantity surveyor'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
Architect Landscape architect Town planner Building surveyor General practice surveyor Land surveyor Planning and development surveyor Surveyor Architectural technologist Site supervisor
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- quantity surveying
- subcontracting
- procurement
- construction
- cost control
- contract management
- cost management
- commercial management
- cost benefit analysis
- cost estimation
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- analysing
- negotiating
- time management
- developing a plan
- working with numbers
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- cooperating
- building relationships
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Environmental Science
Geography
Maths (Mathematics)
Physics
Skills for Work: Construction Craft
Foundation Apprenticeship: Civil Engineering
Applications of Mathematics
Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
A degree (SCQF Level 9/10) in quantity surveying, or a related subject such as civil engineering, construction or economics, accredited by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
If the degree is not RICS-accredited you can do an accredited postgraduate conversion course (SCQF Level 11).
To enter a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at BBCC or above, or a relevant HNC/HND.
You could enter this role if you already work in a related job in the construction industry. Some employers may support you to study for a RICS-accredited qualification part-time.
Once in work, there will be a period of supervised practical training and Assessment of Professional Competence.
You must hold a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to work on site. You'll need to pass a health and safety test to qualify for the CSCS scheme.
You'll need a driving licence for some jobs.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Quantity surveyor'
