Best way to become a Quantity Surveyor?

[konster296]

So I’m 21 and have just finished a degree in international business management and I have a lot a regrets as it’s very general and has been very hard to find work.

For the last 2 years I’ve held quite a strong interest in QS and it’s something I would love to pursue as a career.
Obviously I should’ve done a RICS accredited degree instead, but hindsight’s a great thing lol.
I’ve had a look at some of the MSC’s in QS, however they all seem to require experience or the completion of a similar undergraduate degree.

I have been applying for QS degree apprenticeships, but my main worry is that it’s probably likely to be highly competitive and they would ideally want to employ someone who has just left school and not someone who’s completed a degree in an unrelated subject.

Any advice on the best way to get into this industry would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

[simons123]

There is a massive shortage of QS's at the minute so if you did the MSC then you wouldn't struggle for work or gain employment whilst doing the course....having done the QS MSC with no prior experience then you will be absolutely fine doing it with no experience as it's pretty straight forward although most of the stuff you learn will be of absolutely no use to you once you become a QS.

Best bet is trying to find a company who will fund the QS MSC course for you or just pay for the QS MSC course yourself and I'm pretty sure you will find a company who will take you on....an alternative is to do an HND QS or construction course at college then with that experience behind you it will be easier to find a company to find your MSC (say fund but most likely it be an apprenticeship levy paying for you so no cost to them).

Edited by simons123 on Friday 30th December 13:30

[Nomme de Plum]

It's a great career. It kept me gainfully employed for most of my adult life and ended up as Partner then Director of a London based QS practice.

The types of development are incredibly varied, i.e not just offices or residential but anything in the built environment. I ended up on the highly techie developments, but i came from an engineering background which helped quite a bit.

If you are London based I may be able to put you in contact with one or two consultancies and happy to chat also. Feel free to PM me.

[Jellybeans2016]

Hello!

I did a Business Management degree too, regretted not doing a QS undergrad degree initially (did QS experience when I was 14). But actually I had a lot of transferable skills going into my first QS job.

Finally did a QS MSc much later at NTU (no experience needed in construction and my initial degree was fine).

Had companies approach me at NTU due to their links to industry/LinkedIn directly - so many opportunities. Have you a LinkedIn profile? Worth setting one up and looking h at graduate jobs/links there

I self funded the MSc myself and was able to start on quite a good package, much more than those sponsored through the course and no long term agreement to sign up to.

Have learnt a lot, continue to learn and I really do love my job.

[simons123]

Jellybeans2016 said:

Hello!

I did a Business Management degree too, regretted not doing a QS undergrad degree initially (did QS experience when I was 14). But actually I had a lot of transferable skills going into my first QS job.

Finally did a QS MSc much later at NTU (no experience needed in construction and my initial degree was fine).

Had companies approach me at NTU due to their links to industry/LinkedIn directly - so many opportunities. Have you a LinkedIn profile? Worth setting one up and looking h at graduate jobs/links there

I self funded the MSc myself and was able to start on quite a good package, much more than those sponsored through the course and no long term agreement to sign up to.

Have learnt a lot, continue to learn and I really do love my job.

Are you site based or office based? I'm site based which can be a miserable experience sometimes although on the flip side i do learn alot more....I'm main contractor side but think in the next year or so would like to move to the client side as a PQS as although the money is less it's alot less stressful and less hours.

[Jellybeans2016]

I’ve been both office and site based. Currently running a small team on a large job - so 50/50 office and site based.

I much prefer being full time on site though - I learn more, enjoy the banter and I find it more relaxed.

How long have you been working on the contractor side?

[Nomme de Plum]

simons123 said:

Are you site based or office based? I'm site based which can be a miserable experience sometimes although on the flip side i do learn alot more....I'm main contractor side but think in the next year or so would like to move to the client side as a PQS as although the money is less it's alot less stressful and less hours.

If you're good it will not be less for long. I'm not sure it ever was to be honest, just different.

Professional side you get to work with great Architects and Engineers.

PQS is not an easy ride if you really want to get on.

Edited by Nomme de Plum on Tuesday 3rd January 10:00

[konster296]

Thank you all so much for the replies
Fingers crossed I can get in through the apprenticeship way, but I think the second best option for me would be to pay for a masters myself at either OBU or NTU. Thanks Simons123 for also suggesting the HND in QS as that’s also nice alternative, but the only thing is that it takes around 2 years to complete with a lot of these colleges.
I’m not ruling that out as I’ll still be able to apply for a MSc ‘apprenticeship’ with a company and I’ll be a lot more competitive then I am now.
Thank you again for your guidance.

Edited by konster296 on Friday 6th January 13:37

[konster296]

Hey sorry to bump this thread again, but I’d thought I’d give an update and some advice if possible. So for the last 2 months l have been applying for apprenticeship programmes with some large firms, but sadly I’ve been unsuccessful for quite a few of them (still waiting for some to contact back). I’m also contacting some smaller companies to see whether they may fund a QS MSC or a HND whilst I can work for them, but again haven’t heard back (still doing this so not given up on this route)

My plan now is to go down the masters route. I’m debating whether I should do a full-time masters and get it done so I’ve got that RICS accredited degree under my belt or do a part-time masters and find some entry level work such as a trainee estimator for the time being with the hope of eventually becoming an assistant QS once I finish.

Thanks

Edited by konster296 on Friday 24th March 15:00

Edited by konster296 on Friday 24th March 15:07

[Paul Lazzaro]

I think the apprenticeship route is the best for you - you'll get through without debts or having to pay for your education.

21 is definitely not too old for an apprenticeship - my company prefers older apprentices because a 16/18yo can be such a gamble.

Are you in London or elsewhere? Try applying through LSBU for apprenticeship opportunities.

[ghamer]

FFS you're 21 just do what you wanna do.

[Dsdans]

Hi,

Estimator currently doing a degree in Quantity Surveying here…

I’d second the advice of many in here and urge you to try and get into a big PLC who will gladly fund a surveying course for you. It’s without the best thing I ever did and at the right company will not hold you back.
I believe that with some companies it will actually push you further ahead, due to the differing areas of focus between sectors / companies and the likelihood of any course they choose being tailored to their needs. I know the likes of Kier, BAM and Barratt’s take this approach and have bespoke courses.

I joined the company I’m with just over 3 years ago as an assistant estimator (after gaining a couple years experience with a smaller sub-contractor) and embarked on their quantity surveying course just over a year ago. I’m fortunate to be in a better position now than peers who have spent their time at places like NTU and then started a career. My biggest worry about doing a course through a company was that it would hold me back but I’m for me it’s had the opposite effect.

Also worth considering whether you actually want to be a surveyor or an estimator. Aside from costing construction work these jobs are very different and suits different temperaments / skill sets. If you have the time see if you can get some work experience in a commercial department and try and get an idea of what they do each day and where their challenges are. Be mindful though, the scope of these roles does change slightly between sectors / companies.

Happy to answer any specific questions you have over PM

[simons123]

Managed to get an apprenticeship QS role in my 30's so you are definitely not to young. There are lots of apprentice QS roles I see online.

I'm led to believe there is a massive shortage of QS's? Does anybody know if this is the case still??

Working for a Tier 1 but it can be very stressful so plan to move over to the client side. Less money but less stress.

[RammyMP]

I work for a tier 1 contractor, we’re struggling to recruit QSs at the moment, had a few who we’ve offered jobs to go back on their word at the last minute as their current employer offered them a big rise to stay.

Getting youngsters in and training them has been a problem throughout the industry for years though, it’s not an attractive industry to work in.

Anyway, why doesn’t a QS look out the window in the morning?

they’ll have nothing to do in the afternoon!

[Evanivitch]

RammyMP said:

Getting youngsters in and training them has been a problem throughout the industry for years though, it’s not an attractive industry to work in.

Out of interest, why is that?

[RammyMP]

Evanivitch said:

RammyMP said:

Getting youngsters in and training them has been a problem throughout the industry for years though, it’s not an attractive industry to work in.

Out of interest, why is that?

Poor pay compared with other industries, long hours and it’s usually quite a stressful job.

[simons123]

RammyMP said:

Evanivitch said:

RammyMP said:

Getting youngsters in and training them has been a problem throughout the industry for years though, it’s not an attractive industry to work in.

Out of interest, why is that?

Poor pay compared with other industries, long hours and it’s usually quite a stressful job.

Surprised you say that about poor pay. The pay seems excellent compared to most industries in my experience although I agree it's a very stressful job and working on site can be tough mentally sometimes as feel like firefighting constantly hence why within the next 18 months I'd like to go client side.

Are you client side or main contractor? I've done valuations, tenders, CVR's, cost reporting. Wondering how different the client side will be.

[RammyMP]

simons123 said:

RammyMP said:

Evanivitch said:

RammyMP said:

Getting youngsters in and training them has been a problem throughout the industry for years though, it’s not an attractive industry to work in.

Out of interest, why is that?

Poor pay compared with other industries, long hours and it’s usually quite a stressful job.

Surprised you say that about poor pay. The pay seems excellent compared to most industries in my experience although I agree it's a very stressful job and working on site can be tough mentally sometimes as feel like firefighting constantly hence why within the next 18 months I'd like to go client side.

Are you client side or main contractor? I've done valuations, tenders, CVR's, cost reporting. Wondering how different the client side will be.

I work for a main contractor. My friends wife (who’s a QS) has worked both sides, she’s back client side working contract. She’s on good money but has over 25 years experience.

[JuanCarlosFandango]

Have you looked at stuff like Commercial Admin type jobs? Temp agencies are often full of these sort of roles and it gets you a foot in the door. It might turn into an apprenticeship or similar. The relevant experience will definitely make you more attractive to other potential employers. And it might put you off the while idea!

I wouldn't rush into signing up for a Masters. It's a lot of time and money, and most of it will almost certainly be irrelevant to what you end up doing. Also I think you get more out of these qualifications when you have a bit of experience.

[konster296]

Dsdans said:

Hi,

Estimator currently doing a degree in Quantity Surveying here…

I’d second the advice of many in here and urge you to try and get into a big PLC who will gladly fund a surveying course for you. It’s without the best thing I ever did and at the right company will not hold you back.
I believe that with some companies it will actually push you further ahead, due to the differing areas of focus between sectors / companies and the likelihood of any course they choose being tailored to their needs. I know the likes of Kier, BAM and Barratt’s take this approach and have bespoke courses.

I joined the company I’m with just over 3 years ago as an assistant estimator (after gaining a couple years experience with a smaller sub-contractor) and embarked on their quantity surveying course just over a year ago. I’m fortunate to be in a better position now than peers who have spent their time at places like NTU and then started a career. My biggest worry about doing a course through a company was that it would hold me back but I’m for me it’s had the opposite effect.

Also worth considering whether you actually want to be a surveyor or an estimator. Aside from costing construction work these jobs are very different and suits different temperaments / skill sets. If you have the time see if you can get some work experience in a commercial department and try and get an idea of what they do each day and where their challenges are. Be mindful though, the scope of these roles does change slightly between sectors / companies.

Happy to answer any specific questions you have over PM

Thank you so much for the response and guidance, it’s much appreciated.
The larger PLC’s QS apprenticeship look really good especially Barratt Development and Skanska.
I know this may differ, but is the main role an estimator whilst undertaking a QS apprenticeship or does it vary?
If I don’t manage to a get into an apprenticeship route, I think the trainee estimator route is best for with the aim of hopefully getting into a QS apprenticeship like you did.

Edited by konster296 on Friday 31st March 09:39