Surveyor - advice/views
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Discussion

joshcowin

Original Poster:

7,589 posts

205 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
I started this thread in a hope that any surveyors could provide some guidance/advice.

I graduated last year from Greenwich Uni with a 2:1 in building surveying. Prior to this I did a diploma in building services and engineering and a HND in quantity surveying. Whilst I was studying for these courses I worked for my father who runs a building company, I was mainly office based and have progressed into pricing and running the smaller projects (circa 100k, I am aware this is very small).

I have worked closely with a senior experienced surveyor and have learnt a lot from him during my 5 years here. My father/boss has encouraged me to look into other opportunities and jobs.I have never applied for another job however I do not find this daunting.

Just to clarify I am happy where I work and the role I play in the business, however I am curious to possible opportunities.

So basically what sort of opportunities are there for me, I live in South East England and am prepared to drive/train to work. I guess there are many opportunities in London?

sleep envy

62,260 posts

278 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
The market is very hot at the moment, I get two or three calls a week from agents with opportunities.

joshcowin

Original Poster:

7,589 posts

205 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
sleep envy said:
The market is very hot at the moment, I get two or three calls a week from agents with opportunities.
In what way is it HOT? Also what are these agents offering, jobs or short term contracts?
Thanks for the reply

sleep envy

62,260 posts

278 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
It's hot as in there's lots of work out there (in London at least), both contract and permie.

z4chris99

12,517 posts

208 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
or you could move client side to a developer.

CRB14

1,494 posts

181 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
As above I also get 3 or 4 emails a week. The majority are residential. Personally if I was in your position I'd learn my trade with a large main contractor on some interesting projects. Get to understand the business and the aggressiveness of general contracting then in years to come you can get out with a good understanding and either go client or PQS side.

You can always tell a QS that has come from contracting backgrounds. It's fast paced and you need to be on top of things but it can be fun. I learnt a lot in a relatively short time.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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If you have any PM experience I could get you working as a PM/TA on educational projects quite easily!

sunnygym

1,076 posts

204 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
Get in contact with a few recruitment companies specialising in MEP Quantity Surveying. They have good relationships with surveying companies and can tell you exactly what opportunities are available and if there something you may be interested in.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

181 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
We are desperate for young surveyors at our manor at the moment.

No one was taken on and no one was trained during the recession, so there are few newly qualified, or experienced grad level surveyors around at the moment, and work is starting o get a little out of control. I am afraid I am in a different sector and part of the country to you so I don't have any opportunities myself.

HOWEVER, try the big firms, more than you may expect will be DESPERATE for new starters. Also get on linked in - the recruitment bods will find you. Really is an employees market at the moment.

joshcowin

Original Poster:

7,589 posts

205 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies, quite an encouraging response!

joshcowin

Original Poster:

7,589 posts

205 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
MonkeyMatt said:
If you have any PM experience I could get you working as a PM/TA on educational projects quite easily!
Hi Matt

I have some experience in running projects, around the 100k value, both commercial and residential.
What sort of projects are you refering to, pm me if you wish.

Thanks

anonymous-user

83 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
joshcowin said:
MonkeyMatt said:
If you have any PM experience I could get you working as a PM/TA on educational projects quite easily!
Hi Matt

I have some experience in running projects, around the 100k value, both commercial and residential.
What sort of projects are you refering to, pm me if you wish.

Thanks
The company I work for has a shortage of Project Managers working on primary through to sixth form. Projects are anything from a few hundred thousand through to tens of millions. These can be anything from refurbs and re-models or extensions and newbuilds.

Let me know if you want any other info.