Building control surveyor

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Building control surveyor

Building control surveyors make sure that regulations are followed on construction sites and projects.

The Role

  • Work on the planning and construction phases of a variety of projects, from small house extensions to major city developments. 
  • Called in when buildings have been damaged by fire or bad weather.
  • Inspect any unsafe building and recommend whether it can be repaired or should be demolished.
  • Some officers are on a 24-hour call-out rota for when police, fire or ambulance crews need them to inspect an unstable building in an emergency.
  • Working closely with the construction workers on planning proposals
  • Carrying out inspections on site at each stage of the building process
  • Keeping records and issue completion certificates
  • Suggesting ways to improve the energy use of building to people like the construction manager
  • Starting legal proceedings should work not be in line with regulations
  • Surveying buildings that have been fire or weather damaged
  • Inspecting unsafe buildings and recommending options for repairs or demolition

Salary

  • Newly trained building control surveyors can earn in the region of £21,000 - £27,000
  • Trained with experience building control surveyors can earn in the region of £30,000 - £40,000
  • Senior, chartered or master building control surveyors can earn in the region of £40,000 - £60,000

Salaries depend on location, employer and level of responsibility. Salaries and career options also improve with chartered status. 

Qualifications and Training

To become a building control surveyor in England and Wales you will need either a BTEC HNC/HND or a degree in building control. It is important to study an accredited degree which would meet the requirements of a professional body, either The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Association of Building Engineers (ABE).

Entry requirements degree courses are usually 3 A-levels or equivalent, including four Highers including maths and English and at least two standard grades/national 5 level (Scotland) and the WJEC or Welsh Baccalaureate (Wales).  

Chartership

As a building control surveyor, you can also become chartered. Becoming chartered means you have proved that you are highly experienced and skilled at doing your job. It is comparable to a bachelor’s degree and is recognised all over the world.

You can achieve chartership through the relevant professional institution for the career you are following. For building control surveyors, this is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

 

A Day in the life of...

Andrew Perkins - Senior Building Control Surveyor

I work for Bradford Metropolitan District Council Local Authority in their building control department.

Read moreabout Andrew Perkins - Senior Building Control Surveyor

Career trends and forecasts

4210

additional staff needed

According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 4210 surveyors between the period 2017 - 2021. The majority of the demand for these jobs in construction will be in the South West, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, Scotland and Wales.

Next Steps

Vacancies

Check out the latest Building Control Officer vacancies: 

As these are external websites, the number of job vacancies related to your preferred job role may vary. 

Check daily to see new opportunities as they are posted!

Find out more

For information on the Building Control Officer role in Scotland please visit the Skills Development Scotland website My World of Work.

Take our Personality Quiz to find out which role is right for you.

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