Quantity surveyor - career progression post grad
Discussion
Hi All,
New member here, I came across this forum looking for some advice on further career progression in QS'ing, I saw there were a few threads here on this topic a while back and thought maybe I could search for some guidance from any experienced members.
Just a little bit about myself, I am in my late 20s, live in London and just finished my QS and commercial management degree whilst working for a carpentry and joinery contractor for the last 5 years, mostly working on new build resi developments for some of the big boys. I started off as a trainee and worked my way up to just a regular QS, current salary is £35k but will probably increase during the summer to £40k. I am fairy happy where I am now and the team i work with is great but still feel like I need a change of scenery, chance to learn new skills, get chartered, maybe move into main contracting or move into the railway sector/or another trade. Not exactly sure myself but want to explore my options.
The problem is I have no idea where to start or even if it is possible for me to just transition to such jobs roles without taking a very massive pay cut, maybe some of you guys can help me out or recommend possible routes. It would be interesting to know what kind of career progression some of the experienced QS's on here have had.
Thats if any still frequent this forum, if not just ignore my thread lol
New member here, I came across this forum looking for some advice on further career progression in QS'ing, I saw there were a few threads here on this topic a while back and thought maybe I could search for some guidance from any experienced members.
Just a little bit about myself, I am in my late 20s, live in London and just finished my QS and commercial management degree whilst working for a carpentry and joinery contractor for the last 5 years, mostly working on new build resi developments for some of the big boys. I started off as a trainee and worked my way up to just a regular QS, current salary is £35k but will probably increase during the summer to £40k. I am fairy happy where I am now and the team i work with is great but still feel like I need a change of scenery, chance to learn new skills, get chartered, maybe move into main contracting or move into the railway sector/or another trade. Not exactly sure myself but want to explore my options.
The problem is I have no idea where to start or even if it is possible for me to just transition to such jobs roles without taking a very massive pay cut, maybe some of you guys can help me out or recommend possible routes. It would be interesting to know what kind of career progression some of the experienced QS's on here have had.
Thats if any still frequent this forum, if not just ignore my thread lol
YNWA said:
Hi All,
New member here, I came across this forum looking for some advice on further career progression in QS'ing, I saw there were a few threads here on this topic a while back and thought maybe I could search for some guidance from any experienced members.
Just a little bit about myself, I am in my late 20s, live in London and just finished my QS and commercial management degree whilst working for a carpentry and joinery contractor for the last 5 years, mostly working on new build resi developments for some of the big boys. I started off as a trainee and worked my way up to just a regular QS, current salary is £35k but will probably increase during the summer to £40k. I am fairy happy where I am now and the team i work with is great but still feel like I need a change of scenery, chance to learn new skills, get chartered, maybe move into main contracting or move into the railway sector/or another trade. Not exactly sure myself but want to explore my options.
The problem is I have no idea where to start or even if it is possible for me to just transition to such jobs roles without taking a very massive pay cut, maybe some of you guys can help me out or recommend possible routes. It would be interesting to know what kind of career progression some of the experienced QS's on here have had.
Thats if any still frequent this forum, if not just ignore my thread lol
I think you’re looking for people’s experiences rather than asking a specific question. With that in mind -New member here, I came across this forum looking for some advice on further career progression in QS'ing, I saw there were a few threads here on this topic a while back and thought maybe I could search for some guidance from any experienced members.
Just a little bit about myself, I am in my late 20s, live in London and just finished my QS and commercial management degree whilst working for a carpentry and joinery contractor for the last 5 years, mostly working on new build resi developments for some of the big boys. I started off as a trainee and worked my way up to just a regular QS, current salary is £35k but will probably increase during the summer to £40k. I am fairy happy where I am now and the team i work with is great but still feel like I need a change of scenery, chance to learn new skills, get chartered, maybe move into main contracting or move into the railway sector/or another trade. Not exactly sure myself but want to explore my options.
The problem is I have no idea where to start or even if it is possible for me to just transition to such jobs roles without taking a very massive pay cut, maybe some of you guys can help me out or recommend possible routes. It would be interesting to know what kind of career progression some of the experienced QS's on here have had.
Thats if any still frequent this forum, if not just ignore my thread lol
I'm MRICS. I worked in consultancy (PQS) through university and did my placement year with the same consultancy. Graduated into that then almost immediately went into railways as a Commercial Manager for a couple of years. I then left that to go back to the consultancy side and got chartered around 2.5 years after graduating. Moved city and company after a further two years - had learnt a lot and was made Partner via a short stint as Associate within around 18 months of that. Admittedly I took advantage of circumstances and basically bought / am buying out the old guard as it were, so the move to Partner happened quicker than it otherwise might have.
That's my route but as you're learning there are myriad routes to progress. Do decide whether you want to stick with contracting (albeit MC), move to the consultancy side or specialise (e.g. rail). That’ll inform whether you want to get chartered or not – near enough a must for consultancy and to an extent rail, less so for contracting.
Happy to answer any questions at all.
donnie85 said:
With 5 years experience you seem underpayed as a QS. Most at my place are on £50k - £60k.
I've just started as a QS in my 30's as a bit of a career change last from something completely different. I'm enjoying it must say.
I’d agree with this based on my experience working at Joinery/Fir Out contractor on the outskirts of London. I've just started as a QS in my 30's as a bit of a career change last from something completely different. I'm enjoying it must say.
Trainee QS start on around £35 and quickly get to around £40/50
At 5 years someone would typically be on £55k + bonus
If in a commercial management position that would be £70+
Well done YMNA, you’ve already progressed well and have the ambition to keep developing.
I’m a late 40s Commercial Surveyor, so as a QS, do feel free to ignore my thoughts!
I think something that you might want to factor into your thinking is the cyclical nature of the construction/property sector. At late 20s, you probably won’t have worked through a downturn. But when the downturns come, the music (pay rises, bonuses, promotions etc) stop for a few years. And on the contractor and consultancy side there can be redundancies.
The job market for surveyors has been red hot for the last year or two. But it won’t always be. So now is a good time to change.
Given the DfT investment commitments to rail, the rail sector will be the most down turn proof over the next few years. Maybe that would be a good option to get you MRICS and no doubt a load of H&S qualifications. You might find a big organisation and processes a bit painful after a small contractor.
In a few years time you’d have MRICS + rail experience + your previous Resi development / contractor experience. I think that would put you in a strong position and give you a lot of options.
By the way, I hope I’m wrong about a downturn and the market stays buoyant for the next 17 years until I retire!!!
Very best of luck with your career.
I’m a late 40s Commercial Surveyor, so as a QS, do feel free to ignore my thoughts!
I think something that you might want to factor into your thinking is the cyclical nature of the construction/property sector. At late 20s, you probably won’t have worked through a downturn. But when the downturns come, the music (pay rises, bonuses, promotions etc) stop for a few years. And on the contractor and consultancy side there can be redundancies.
The job market for surveyors has been red hot for the last year or two. But it won’t always be. So now is a good time to change.
Given the DfT investment commitments to rail, the rail sector will be the most down turn proof over the next few years. Maybe that would be a good option to get you MRICS and no doubt a load of H&S qualifications. You might find a big organisation and processes a bit painful after a small contractor.
In a few years time you’d have MRICS + rail experience + your previous Resi development / contractor experience. I think that would put you in a strong position and give you a lot of options.
By the way, I hope I’m wrong about a downturn and the market stays buoyant for the next 17 years until I retire!!!
Very best of luck with your career.
QS here been doing it for 37 years (sounds a long time when you write it down)
I started with Taylor Woodrow, anyone remember them, from college and worked my way up the ranks to Project Surveyor before being made redundant when they closed the division down.
I've worked as a QS for trade contractors, main contractor, client and everything in between. Current position is Senior Quantity Surveyor but been called all sorts at different companies, title has never bothered me as long as the salary is right
If you have been working for the big boys for the last 5 years see whether they are hiring, apart from one job all of mine have been from contacts i've made over the years or worked with previously.
I started with Taylor Woodrow, anyone remember them, from college and worked my way up the ranks to Project Surveyor before being made redundant when they closed the division down.
I've worked as a QS for trade contractors, main contractor, client and everything in between. Current position is Senior Quantity Surveyor but been called all sorts at different companies, title has never bothered me as long as the salary is right
If you have been working for the big boys for the last 5 years see whether they are hiring, apart from one job all of mine have been from contacts i've made over the years or worked with previously.
Sorry to hijack the thread but I'm pretty new to QS'ing after making a career change from something else.
I am enjoying the role and I'm site based on a big housing development on the outskirts of Manchester but the role does seem to be quite repetitive on a daily basis (not a bad thing though of such). Some experienced QS's on here it seems...is the main day to day of most QS's the valuation reports, final accounts, payments, etc or is there more too it?? (I've done take offs, tenders, etc). Any tips for a newbie to the role??
I am enjoying the role and I'm site based on a big housing development on the outskirts of Manchester but the role does seem to be quite repetitive on a daily basis (not a bad thing though of such). Some experienced QS's on here it seems...is the main day to day of most QS's the valuation reports, final accounts, payments, etc or is there more too it?? (I've done take offs, tenders, etc). Any tips for a newbie to the role??
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