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)