Plumbing/Plastering/Painting and Decorating or Surveying

[Justadreamer]

I’m looking for advice from people in the same sort of fields. I’m thinking of starting either of the courses above. I’m thinking they are all better than the field I currently work in. I am looking for an insight into the day to day activities.

[R5_BOY]

When you say surveying what do you mean as this is a very broad term. I am a Building Surveyor for example - but you also have quantity surveyor, land surveyor, residential surveyor, Project management focused surveyor amongst others. There are tonnes of different pathways. Quite often (not always) people go into surveying to come off the tools when their body lets them down or they fancy something less manual. I went into it after doing a university degree and then there are additional qualifications you can do such as through the RICS or CIOB depending on your specialism.

[Justadreamer]

R5_BOY said:

When you say surveying what do you mean as this is a very broad term. I am a Building Surveyor for example - but you also have quantity surveyor, land surveyor, residential surveyor, Project management focused surveyor amongst others. There are tonnes of different pathways. Quite often (not always) people go into surveying to come off the tools when their body lets them down or they fancy something less manual. I went into it after doing a university degree and then there are additional qualifications you can do such as through the RICS or CIOB depending on your specialism.

That sounds interesting, it s probably something I would enjoy too. What does your role involve? Could you send me some more information please?

Edited by Justadreamer on Saturday 11th July 18:26

[Justadreamer]

R5_BOY said:

When you say surveying what do you mean as this is a very broad term. I am a Building Surveyor for example - but you also have quantity surveyor, land surveyor, residential surveyor, Project management focused surveyor amongst others. There are tonnes of different pathways. Quite often (not always) people go into surveying to come off the tools when their body lets them down or they fancy something less manual. I went into it after doing a university degree and then there are additional qualifications you can do such as through the RICS or CIOB depending on your specialism.

Would it be possible to get into without any experience? Or would it require a degree?

[IAN1967]

Justadreamer said:

Would it be possible to get into without any experience? Or would it require a degree?

I think that would depend on your age, and your current level of education.

I've been a Quantity Surveyor for 40 years and started off on an apprentice scheme working and studying part-time which was funded by the company. More recent company's have offered training to starters and financed it but you could be tied into the company for a certain amount of years after you finish. You would need to see what the current requirements are for the RICS/IOB admission and go from there

There are many different types of QS, even just in construction, and personally I've worked at most levels (client/consultant/Main Contractor/sub-contractor)

[Justadreamer]

IAN1967 said:

I think that would depend on your age, and your current level of education.

I've been a Quantity Surveyor for 40 years and started off on an apprentice scheme working and studying part-time which was funded by the company. More recent company's have offered training to starters and financed it but you could be tied into the company for a certain amount of years after you finish. You would need to see what the current requirements are for the RICS/IOB admission and go from there

There are many different types of QS, even just in construction, and personally I've worked at most levels (client/consultant/Main Contractor/sub-contractor)

Thank you. I’m 40. I have a degree in Computer Science. I’ll check the RICS/IOB website.

[Justadreamer]

Hopefully I hear some good news. As I’m not really enjoying my current role.

[Frimley111R]

I think that any of the first 4 would mean, if you're good, you'd have a good income. Watch some YT videos on people doing the same job.

[Rusty Old-Banger]

I'm a civil engineer so I work with lots of surveyors of all types, and a lot of QS.

To be a decent QS you need a solid understanding of the practices within the field you are QS-ing in, if that makes sense. Most of the QS that are on the decent money (£100k+) have been construction specialists, maybe not on the tools, but acutely aware of what goes in to a project on site. It's more than just adding up a few tonnes of material and the number of diggers (for example).

Trades, however... Well, look at any big house. They will more often than not have a van or pickup parked outside. There must be a reason for that!

[Justadreamer]

I’ve looked online at training courses from RICS for just these four courses that they’ve recommended it’s thousands:

https://www.rics.org/training-events/training-cour...

https://www.rics.org/training-events/training-cour...

https://www.rics.org/training-events/online-traini...

https://academy.rics.org/e-learning/construction/p...


It’s probably the right career choice as it’s probably the best paid. It’s an awful lot of money.

[T1547]

I’m just about to submit my final assignment on a Building Surveying course, which was a BSc studied part time over 5 years. It complements the role and qualifications I have already but I also chose it as a possible future avenue to become a building surveyor. Having the degree seemed like it was a pre-requisite really, particularly if wanting to become chartered (MRICS).

[Justadreamer]

I think the overall courses for Surveying is proving to be quite expensive. It may be back to the drawing board and looking at an alternative career.

Edited by Justadreamer on Saturday 25th July 12:00