Quantity Surveyor Job Description
Hire a practical, commercially minded Quantity Surveyor to control costs, manage contracts and protect project margins across your developments. This template helps you describe the day‑to‑day responsibilities and the skills that attract experienced commercial professionals to site and office roles.
What does a Quantity Surveyor professional do?
A Quantity Surveyor manages project costs from estimate to final account, producing bills of quantities, valuations and commercial reports while supporting procurement and contract administration.
Quantity Surveyor job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Quantity Surveyor
About the role
[Company name] is looking for a Quantity Surveyor to join our commercial team on a [permanent/contract] basis in [Location]. You will prepare cost plans and bills of quantities, produce interim valuations and final accounts, manage subcontractor procurement and variations, and provide clear commercial reporting to project teams and clients. This role involves regular site attendance and close liaison with project managers and suppliers. [Salary range] • [Contract type].
Key responsibilities
- Prepare detailed bills of quantities, cost estimates and cost plans for tender and construction stages.
- Administer contracts including interim valuations, applications for payment, variations and final accounts.
- Monitor and report project costs, forecasts and risk registers; highlight and explain variances to project teams and clients.
- Manage procurement of subcontractors and materials, evaluate tenders and negotiate commercial terms.
- Carry out measurement and take‑off from drawings and site surveys to produce accurate quantities.
- Support value engineering exercises and cost‑saving proposals while protecting contractual entitlements.
- Maintain audit‑quality records for change orders, claims and cost approvals; prepare commercial reports for stakeholders.
- Attend site meetings, contract meetings and client presentations to represent commercial interests.
Essential skills and experience
- Proven commercial experience in a quantity surveying, estimating or site commercial role within construction.
- Strong numeracy, measurement and estimating skills with experience producing bills of quantities or elemental cost plans.
- Practical experience of preparing interim valuations, managing variations and producing final accounts.
- Good written and verbal communication skills for reporting to project teams and clients.
- Ability to visit project sites regularly and manage time across multiple projects.
Desirable
- Membership of, or working towards membership of, a recognised professional body (for example RICS)
- A degree, HND or equivalent qualification in quantity surveying, construction management or a related discipline.
- Familiarity with industry estimating and procurement software (for example CostX or similar) and competent Excel skills.
- Experience of common UK contract forms (JCT, NEC or bespoke client contracts) and commercial risk management.
- Previous experience on [sector] projects such as residential, education, healthcare or infrastructure (specify as relevant).
What we offer
- Competitive salary (enter actual range)
- Pension scheme (employer contribution placeholder)
- Support for professional membership and CPD
- Training and development budget
- Flexible working / hybrid options (specify arrangement)
- Vehicle or travel allowance (if applicable)
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Quantity Surveyor role?
A Quantity Surveyor is a construction professional responsible for managing the commercial and contractual aspects of building projects. Typical duties include preparing cost estimates and bills of quantities, carrying out measurements and valuations, administering contracts, managing procurement and producing commercial reports. Quantity Surveyors work closely with project managers, design teams and suppliers to control costs, mitigate commercial risk and deliver projects to budget.
Cost control
Produce cost plans, estimates and regular forecasts to track budget performance throughout the project lifecycle.
Contract administration
Manage valuations, variations, payment applications and final accounts to protect the employer’s financial position.
Procurement & subcontractor management
Run tender processes, evaluate bids and negotiate terms with suppliers and subcontractors.
Commercial reporting
Deliver clear reports and commercial advice to project teams and clients so informed decisions can be taken.
Typical Quantity Surveyor responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Prepare detailed bills of quantities
Prepare detailed bills of quantities, cost estimates and cost plans for tender and construction stages.
Administer contracts including interim valuations,
Administer contracts including interim valuations, applications for payment, variations and final accounts.
Monitor
Monitor and report project costs, forecasts and risk registers; highlight and explain variances to project teams and clients.
Manage procurement of subcontractors
Manage procurement of subcontractors and materials, evaluate tenders and negotiate commercial terms.
Carry out measurement
Carry out measurement and take‑off from drawings and site surveys to produce accurate quantities.
Support value engineering exercises
Support value engineering exercises and cost‑saving proposals while protecting contractual entitlements.
Maintain audit‑quality records for change
Maintain audit‑quality records for change orders, claims and cost approvals; prepare commercial reports for stakeholders.
Attend site meetings
Attend site meetings, contract meetings and client presentations to represent commercial interests.
Quantity Surveyor skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven commercial experience in a quantity surveying, estimating or site commercial role within construction.
- Strong numeracy, measurement and estimating skills with experience producing bills of quantities or elemental cost plans.
- Practical experience of preparing interim valuations, managing variations and producing final accounts.
- Good written and verbal communication skills for reporting to project teams and clients.
- Ability to visit project sites regularly and manage time across multiple projects.
Useful where relevant
- Membership of, or working towards membership of, a recognised professional body (for example RICS)
- A degree, HND or equivalent qualification in quantity surveying, construction management or a related discipline.
- Familiarity with industry estimating and procurement software (for example CostX or similar) and competent Excel skills.
- Experience of common UK contract forms (JCT, NEC or bespoke client contracts) and commercial risk management.
- Previous experience on [sector] projects such as residential, education, healthcare or infrastructure (specify as relevant).
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Quantity Surveyor job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Specify project types and scale
State the sectors and typical project values or phases the role will cover (e.g. residential, fit‑out, infrastructure). This helps attract candidates with directly relevant experience.
Be clear about seniority and responsibilities
Use concrete duties (interim valuations, producing BOQs, claimant management) and indicate whether the role is site‑facing, office‑based or hybrid.
Mention contract frameworks and software
Name the contract forms and estimating tools you use if these are important — candidates will self‑select for relevant experience.
Outline development and chartership support
If you support RICS/CIOB progression or CPD, say so; this can be decisive for candidates aiming for professional recognition.
Set travel and location expectations
Make regional coverage and site travel requirements explicit so applicants understand the practical demands of the job.
Quantity Surveyor salary considerations
Quantity Surveyor pay varies widely. Factors such as experience level, professional status (chartered or working towards chartership), project value, sector and location usually have the biggest influence on salary. Contract type, responsibility for teams or commercial budgets, and whether the role requires high levels of travel or out‑of‑hours duties also affect remuneration.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Quantity Surveyor candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What types of projects will I be working on?
Candidates want to know the project sectors, typical contract values and whether work is mainly new build, refurbishment or fit‑out.
Where are the sites and how much travel is required?
Be specific about the regional coverage, frequency of site attendance and any overnight travel expectations.
Who will I report to and how large is the commercial team?
Clarify the reporting line, immediate colleagues and whether the role includes line management responsibilities.
Do you support professional development and chartership?
Experienced candidates often seek employer support for RICS/CIOB membership, APC/Candidate pathways and structured CPD.
What software and systems will I use?
List any estimating, contract management or accounting systems provided and whether training is available.
Is the role permanent, fixed‑term or a contractor position?
State the contract type, expected duration for fixed‑term roles and whether full‑time or part‑time hours are required.
Where to post a Quantity Surveyor job
This role is best advertised across a mix of construction‑focused channels and broader professional platforms. Use industry job boards and trade publications that target built‑environment professionals, post to professional networks (including RICS and CIOB candidate pages) and promote on LinkedIn to reach experienced commercial managers. For senior or specialist roles consider partnering with construction recruitment specialists or regional agencies that have established pipelines of quantity surveyors.
Related construction & built environment job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Quantity Surveyor job description FAQs
Is RICS membership essential for a Quantity Surveyor?
RICS membership is valuable and often required for senior commercial roles, but many employers accept candidates who are working towards chartership. Specify whether chartered status is mandatory, desirable or supported by your organisation.
How do I assess a candidate’s technical ability?
Use practical tasks such as a measurement or take‑off exercise, review sample cost plans or valuation records, and ask for examples of managed variations and final accounts to verify hands‑on experience.
Should I advertise as permanent or contract?
Decide based on workload predictability and budget. Permanent adverts attract candidates seeking stability and long‑term progression; contract adverts can fill urgent, skills‑specific gaps but typically require higher day rates.
What interview questions reveal commercial judgement?
Ask for examples of negotiated variations or disputed claims, decisions made to control costs on site, and situations where the candidate identified and mitigated commercial risk.
Ready to hire a Quantity Surveyor?
Use this template to publish a clear, role‑focused advert and attract commercially capable candidates. Customise the responsibilities, essential criteria and benefits to reflect your projects, then share across specialist construction channels and professional networks.
