Building surveyors survey buildings to assess their condition and structure, providing advice on repairs or proposed renovations or alterations.
Salaries typically depend on location, employer and level of responsibility. Salaries and career options improve with chartered status.
Building surveying is open to graduates of all subjects.
A degree in a related field such as geography, property or construction, especially one accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or the Association of Building Engineers (ABE), will prove advantageous when job hunting.
Non-cognates and non-accredited graduates must take an accredited conversion course to top up their qualifications and gain a sector-specific understanding.
Most surveyors choose to continue their professional development to chartered status with one of the professional bodies – usually RICS – who set the qualification criteria. "Chartered surveyor" is a globally recognised qualification which opens up opportunities abroad, and can lead to greater responsibility and higher salaries.
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 (which includes building surveyors) between 2017 - 2021. The highest demand for these construction jobs will be in the South East followed by West Midlands, Wales, North East and North West.
Explore the progression opportunities below
For information on the Building Surveyor 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.
Do you feel more inspired about working in construction?
You’re one step closer to a career in construction