Quantity Surveyor - career progression
Discussion
sider said:
Well done! Nice package there!!
NDA accepted, but is that UK based?
He says "ive basically been offered a job to work for a UK main contractor in europe" so I'm guessing outside the UK.NDA accepted, but is that UK based?
The freelance rates you mention seem very good. I'm a QS with a couple of years out of the industry, close to ten years' experience before that, currently looking for some freelance stuff over the summer months. £270-300 seems to be the going rate here in London. That said I'm not chasing the dollar too hard, a nice straightforward procurement role earning a bit less a day would suit me down to the ground to avoid any stupid and stressful claims work.
CRB14 said:
Lefty said:
I manage a team of estimators for an oil company in Aberdeen. 3 of the 8 of us are QS's. The skills are definitely transferable!
Current contract rates are good. With operators, in the range of £600-800 for senior estimators with experience of major projects. The contracting firms probably pay a bit less with a slightly different skillset - smaller projects, mods and maintenance.
I'm not hiring at the moment but there's loads of work around. Don't limit yourself to construction.
I spent a few months late last year trying to get a move into oil & gas and nobody was interested in helping me make the move across at all. Recruiters being the worst for that. I did have a minor break-through when a colleague's brother told me that if I put myself through the IT course (can't recall the name (SAP or something?) but it was something like £2k to do it) then I may be in with a chance. Current contract rates are good. With operators, in the range of £600-800 for senior estimators with experience of major projects. The contracting firms probably pay a bit less with a slightly different skillset - smaller projects, mods and maintenance.
I'm not hiring at the moment but there's loads of work around. Don't limit yourself to construction.
Edited by Lefty on Friday 27th December 20:21
I eventually decided that I'd had enough of main contracting. I hadn't been happy for a while so I decided to get out of it and have moved into a fee earning consultancy role.
k, I hate that term), contracts analysts, business analysts, hydrocarbon accountants, eocnomists and even planners and project engineers. These roles will all pay £600-900/day for somebody with relevant experience, maybe £400-450/day for somebody with plenty of experience but just starting out in the oil industry.
My point being that the commercially-aware, technically-proficient QS is a very adaptable breed.
This year has started out well for me in my new consultancy role. I was based in central London due to there being NOTHING back up north (unless I wanted to work for £30k which I didnt).
Anyway, I'm on a power project back north now which I've never done before and based back home. I'm getting a lot of calls for work now and rates up north are starting to climb.
Luckily I didn't have to take a cut so I've taken my London salary back home with me.
Everything is looking up and going forwards I'm extremely confident that work will continue to pick up and I can start being more choosy with work and fees.
Anyway, I'm on a power project back north now which I've never done before and based back home. I'm getting a lot of calls for work now and rates up north are starting to climb.
Luckily I didn't have to take a cut so I've taken my London salary back home with me.
Everything is looking up and going forwards I'm extremely confident that work will continue to pick up and I can start being more choosy with work and fees.
Hi All,
Six months plus since last post on here.
How we all doing?
I'm working as a consultant now. Been offered minimum of 12 months on the project that i'm on. About 9 months left to go. It's ok. Work is fairly easy, money is decent, but commute is as much of a ball-ache as the last place. Could do with something a bit closer to home. 1hr 20 commute each way starts to get to you after a few months!
Getting a few phone calls per week with other stuff but quite tempted to ride this role out - or at least a bit further than just 3 months in!
Six months plus since last post on here.
How we all doing?
I'm working as a consultant now. Been offered minimum of 12 months on the project that i'm on. About 9 months left to go. It's ok. Work is fairly easy, money is decent, but commute is as much of a ball-ache as the last place. Could do with something a bit closer to home. 1hr 20 commute each way starts to get to you after a few months!
Getting a few phone calls per week with other stuff but quite tempted to ride this role out - or at least a bit further than just 3 months in!
sider said:
Hi All,
Six months plus since last post on here.
How we all doing?
I'm working as a consultant now. Been offered minimum of 12 months on the project that i'm on. About 9 months left to go. It's ok. Work is fairly easy, money is decent, but commute is as much of a ball-ache as the last place. Could do with something a bit closer to home. 1hr 20 commute each way starts to get to you after a few months!
Getting a few phone calls per week with other stuff but quite tempted to ride this role out - or at least a bit further than just 3 months in!
Glad to hear it!Six months plus since last post on here.
How we all doing?
I'm working as a consultant now. Been offered minimum of 12 months on the project that i'm on. About 9 months left to go. It's ok. Work is fairly easy, money is decent, but commute is as much of a ball-ache as the last place. Could do with something a bit closer to home. 1hr 20 commute each way starts to get to you after a few months!
Getting a few phone calls per week with other stuff but quite tempted to ride this role out - or at least a bit further than just 3 months in!
As for how I'm doing - well after telling you how buoyant the rail industry is, I left and went back to private practice. Sitting APC in May.
Having read this thread and a couple of others I thought I'd ask for some advice.
I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
Willeh85 said:
Having read this thread and a couple of others I thought I'd ask for some advice.
I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
I studied part time (5yrs) while working. Hard work but was much better suited to me.I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
Just got to keep applying for roles. I managed to get in with a local contractor who wanted to train someone up. Left there 2 yrs ago for a new challenge to a larger contractor (WD).
Hugo85 said:
I studied part time (5yrs) while working. Hard work but was much better suited to me.
Just got to keep applying for roles. I managed to get in with a local contractor who wanted to train someone up. Left there 2 yrs ago for a new challenge to a larger contractor (WD).
Yep I did this too. You will get the piece of poet but what you learn at a company 4 days a week will be vastly vastly more than the 'by the book' stuff you will learn in a classroom. My course in particular seemed very broad and not really that relevant to a QS life ( a lot of broad economic theory) but the degree is definitely a plus when looking for work. Just got to keep applying for roles. I managed to get in with a local contractor who wanted to train someone up. Left there 2 yrs ago for a new challenge to a larger contractor (WD).
As Hugo said I got it all paid for by the company I was at which is another bonus as (as well as no student debt) at the end of it combined with 5 yrs experience puts you head a shoulders above graduates with no real experience.
Career progressing can be quick if you are committed. My salary now is 5x what I started on as a trainee and I've been doing it 8 years which I think is pretty good.
vescaegg said:
Yep I did this too. You will get the piece of poet but what you learn at a company 4 days a week will be vastly vastly more than the 'by the book' stuff you will learn in a classroom. My course in particular seemed very broad and not really that relevant to a QS life ( a lot of broad economic theory) but the degree is definitely a plus when looking for work.
As Hugo said I got it all paid for by the company I was at which is another bonus as (as well as no student debt) at the end of it combined with 5 yrs experience puts you head a shoulders above graduates with no real experience.
Career progressing can be quick if you are committed. My salary now is 5x what I started on as a trainee and I've been doing it 8 years which I think is pretty good.
Yep I also did this route. It's thr best piece of advice I got when I started out 12 years ago and the first piece of advice I would now give to anyone starting out. Part time degrees are fairly difficult especially when you have work commitments. Quite often you may have to fit 5 days work into 4 but the experience gained is invaluable. As Hugo said I got it all paid for by the company I was at which is another bonus as (as well as no student debt) at the end of it combined with 5 yrs experience puts you head a shoulders above graduates with no real experience.
Career progressing can be quick if you are committed. My salary now is 5x what I started on as a trainee and I've been doing it 8 years which I think is pretty good.
I've just started my RICS application but I'm not going through the APC route. Generally though the industry at present is quite exciting. Since moving to a consultancy role I've picked up far more experience. Exciting times ahead!!!
Following on from this thread, I'd like to put my 2p in and also ask for some advice on progression.
Did 4 years, full time degree at Uni. Passed with BSC(hons) in Quantity Surveying.
Got a job for the Local Council as an Assistant QS, did that for 6 years then progressed into Asset Management (Business case, Lifecycle maintenance and options appraisal work, which led onto refurbishment work). Worked for 4 years then got a 2 year scondment into Project Management (Still Council) refurbishing council buildings through a specific programme.
Secondment has now finished and through various issues I am awaiting for them to sort a workstream/scheme of progression/management out for me.
Majorly frustrated at my teatment at work (not to mention the drop in wages) and starting to look for some form of direction, both career and development. Having been through 6 internal interviews in the last 6 months and got nothing, I think I'm in need of some form of career advice, possibly for the 'real world'.
CPD and training up to date. Completed Prince2, CMI levels 2 & 3 (awaiting further level 9 to start internally) Applied to do my SVQ level 4 in Construction Management, but requre a workstream to start.
I found QS'ing to be pretty boring and stuffy, certianly Local Authority stuff and could churn out general repairs & maintenance costs all day. APC is not something I'm interested in at all.
Is there such a place/website where I can be assessed to assist me in some form of direction
Did 4 years, full time degree at Uni. Passed with BSC(hons) in Quantity Surveying.
Got a job for the Local Council as an Assistant QS, did that for 6 years then progressed into Asset Management (Business case, Lifecycle maintenance and options appraisal work, which led onto refurbishment work). Worked for 4 years then got a 2 year scondment into Project Management (Still Council) refurbishing council buildings through a specific programme.
Secondment has now finished and through various issues I am awaiting for them to sort a workstream/scheme of progression/management out for me.
Majorly frustrated at my teatment at work (not to mention the drop in wages) and starting to look for some form of direction, both career and development. Having been through 6 internal interviews in the last 6 months and got nothing, I think I'm in need of some form of career advice, possibly for the 'real world'.
CPD and training up to date. Completed Prince2, CMI levels 2 & 3 (awaiting further level 9 to start internally) Applied to do my SVQ level 4 in Construction Management, but requre a workstream to start.
I found QS'ing to be pretty boring and stuffy, certianly Local Authority stuff and could churn out general repairs & maintenance costs all day. APC is not something I'm interested in at all.
Is there such a place/website where I can be assessed to assist me in some form of direction
evilkinevil1981 said:
Following on from this thread, I'd like to put my 2p in and also ask for some advice on progression.
Did 4 years, full time degree at Uni. Passed with BSC(hons) in Quantity Surveying.
Got a job for the Local Council as an Assistant QS, did that for 6 years then progressed into Asset Management (Business case, Lifecycle maintenance and options appraisal work, which led onto refurbishment work). Worked for 4 years then got a 2 year scondment into Project Management (Still Council) refurbishing council buildings through a specific programme.
Secondment has now finished and through various issues I am awaiting for them to sort a workstream/scheme of progression/management out for me.
Majorly frustrated at my teatment at work (not to mention the drop in wages) and starting to look for some form of direction, both career and development. Having been through 6 internal interviews in the last 6 months and got nothing, I think I'm in need of some form of career advice, possibly for the 'real world'.
CPD and training up to date. Completed Prince2, CMI levels 2 & 3 (awaiting further level 9 to start internally) Applied to do my SVQ level 4 in Construction Management, but requre a workstream to start.
I found QS'ing to be pretty boring and stuffy, certianly Local Authority stuff and could churn out general repairs & maintenance costs all day. APC is not something I'm interested in at all.
Is there such a place/website where I can be assessed to assist me in some form of direction
Yeah, get the fDid 4 years, full time degree at Uni. Passed with BSC(hons) in Quantity Surveying.
Got a job for the Local Council as an Assistant QS, did that for 6 years then progressed into Asset Management (Business case, Lifecycle maintenance and options appraisal work, which led onto refurbishment work). Worked for 4 years then got a 2 year scondment into Project Management (Still Council) refurbishing council buildings through a specific programme.
Secondment has now finished and through various issues I am awaiting for them to sort a workstream/scheme of progression/management out for me.
Majorly frustrated at my teatment at work (not to mention the drop in wages) and starting to look for some form of direction, both career and development. Having been through 6 internal interviews in the last 6 months and got nothing, I think I'm in need of some form of career advice, possibly for the 'real world'.
CPD and training up to date. Completed Prince2, CMI levels 2 & 3 (awaiting further level 9 to start internally) Applied to do my SVQ level 4 in Construction Management, but requre a workstream to start.
I found QS'ing to be pretty boring and stuffy, certianly Local Authority stuff and could churn out general repairs & maintenance costs all day. APC is not something I'm interested in at all.
Is there such a place/website where I can be assessed to assist me in some form of direction
k out of the public sector.Chartered QS here owning a very small professional consultancy.
I have an honours degree in quantity surveying but would suggest gaining chartered status is relatively critical for easier career progression. Quite a lot of effort to get there but worth it in the end (although it does cost over £500 a year in subscription fees!)
I have an honours degree in quantity surveying but would suggest gaining chartered status is relatively critical for easier career progression. Quite a lot of effort to get there but worth it in the end (although it does cost over £500 a year in subscription fees!)
CRB14 said:
Yep, find a good recruiter that will help you get into a role in private. There should be enough work to get in somewhere but the challenge is finding someone that isn't full of waffle.
Can you give a little guidance on where to start?So far I've re-done my linkedin profile & CV, added and updated all my details to S1 Jobs and have been all over the recuitment/job sites over the last few weeks.
Its time for a change, hopefully a good one
Hugo85 said:
Willeh85 said:
Having read this thread and a couple of others I thought I'd ask for some advice.
I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
I studied part time (5yrs) while working. Hard work but was much better suited to me.I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
Just got to keep applying for roles. I managed to get in with a local contractor who wanted to train someone up. Left there 2 yrs ago for a new challenge to a larger contractor (WD).
Willeh85 said:
Hugo85 said:
Willeh85 said:
Having read this thread and a couple of others I thought I'd ask for some advice.
I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
I studied part time (5yrs) while working. Hard work but was much better suited to me.I'd like to begin a career in surveying and im sure many of you went to university to get started but I don't want to go to university full time as I have my mortgage and bills to pay.
I'd be more than happy to study long term whilst I'm working and start at the very bottom as I only work as an admin assistant at the moment so there would be no change in income.
I know this isn't perhaps the traditional route in, but does anyone have any tips how I can get my foot in the door?
Just got to keep applying for roles. I managed to get in with a local contractor who wanted to train someone up. Left there 2 yrs ago for a new challenge to a larger contractor (WD).
Assistant or Trainee Surveyor will be what you should look for although the role may not be called that so specifically if you are after them sending you to uni etc. Register with a few agencies - some are pretty good (shock!) at finding very suitable roles.
sider said:
It's been on the Construction Enquirer news site over the past few months mate.
Have a look.
There are still loopholes there though or so I believe.
FOr 20 years they have been trying to close 'loopholes' in the construction industry and it never ever works because most people are genuinely self employed. If worry about that is changing your decision then you could simply set up a limited company and there is definitely nothing they could do.Have a look.
There are still loopholes there though or so I believe.
Back to your current situation - you really need to answer to yourself whether you feel like this out of ambition, or because you are one of these people who are inexplicably never satisfied. If it's the latter you really shouldn't move as I have seen many people over the years spiral into s
tter and stter jobs because of this.My gut feeling is you like your job, you like the company, the salary is reasonable.
Actually make yourself a better job there. THing of things to discuss with the directors that could genuinely make the company better off, that you could do. Most directors are happy with proactive staff.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff