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Building Surveyor

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Building surveyors are responsible for advising on the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings. Their work involves inspecting properties to assess their condition and ensure they meet current regulations and safety standards. Building surveyors often work on both residential and commercial projects, carrying out surveys, writing reports, and offering expert advice to clients such as homeowners, property developers, or local authorities. Common tasks include assessing structural damage, planning building refurbishments, and ensuring sustainability and compliance with environmental legislation. The role requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, and often involves working both in the office and on-site.

Building Surveyor

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Building surveyors in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £50,000 per year, with experienced professionals and those in senior roles earning up to £70,000.

Job Openings

There were over 19,000 building surveyors employed in the UK in 2023, and the demand is expected to grow due to an increased focus on building safety and sustainability.

Typical Working Hours

Most building surveyors work around 37 to 40 hours per week, mainly during regular office hours, though site visits may require some flexibility.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Historic Building Conservation Surveyor

Specialises in the preservation and restoration of historic and listed buildings, ensuring they meet legal and safety requirements while maintaining their heritage value.

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Party Wall Surveyor

Focuses on resolving disputes and providing advice about shared walls and boundaries between properties in accordance with the Party Wall Act.

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Dilapidations Surveyor

Deals with assessing and reporting on the condition of leased buildings to determine repair responsibilities at the end of a tenancy.

Achieve Essential Qualifications

Complete GCSEs

Obtain at least five GCSEs at grades 4-9 (A-C), including Maths, English, and Science.

Building surveying requires good numeracy, communication, and understanding of scientific principles. These subjects will form the foundation for further study and are often required by colleges and employers. Focus on achieving the best grades you can to keep your options open.

Study Relevant A Levels or Equivalent

Take A Levels such as Maths, Geography, or Science, or a Level 3 BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment.

A Levels or equivalent qualifications are typically required for university courses in surveying. Alternatively, you can take a BTEC National Diploma or an apprenticeship in a related field if you prefer practical learning.

Obtain a Degree in Building Surveying or Related Field

Apply for a RICS-accredited undergraduate degree in building surveying, construction, or a similar subject.

Many employers look for a degree that is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This will give you the technical knowledge and professional recognition needed for a successful career as a building surveyor.

Gain Practical Experience

Apply for Work Placements

Seek out internships, summer placements, or part-time work with surveying firms or construction companies.

Experience in the field will help you understand the day-to-day work of a building surveyor, develop relevant skills, and make valuable industry contacts for future job opportunities.

Complete a Graduate Training Scheme

Join a structured graduate scheme with a property or construction firm after your degree.

Many large employers offer graduate training programmes that provide hands-on experience and support towards professional chartership. These schemes are highly competitive and often lead to permanent roles.

Become Chartered and Progress Your Career

Achieve Chartered Status

Complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to become a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS).

Chartered status is highly valued in the industry and will improve your job prospects and potential earnings. The APC involves a period of structured training (usually two years) and a final assessment interview.

Continue Professional Development

Stay up to date with industry standards by attending courses, seminars, and networking events.

The construction industry is always evolving, so ongoing learning is essential. Engaging in continuous professional development (CPD) ensures you remain knowledgeable about new regulations, technologies, and best practices.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Building Surveyor. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

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Sample Qualifications

A Building Surveyor's role primarily involves assessing and managing building conditions, compliance, and repair requirements, which closely aligns with the responsibilities of a Building site inspector. Both professions focus on evaluating buildings and ensuring standards are met, although Building surveyors also often undertake more comprehensive assessments and project management tasks.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You'll usually need a degree or professional qualification approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in a subject like:

  • surveying
  • construction
  • civil engineering
  • building engineering

If you graduated in any other subject, you could do a surveying postgraduate conversion course. These usually lead to a master's degree or postgraduate diploma.

Entry requirements vary, so check with individual universities which degrees might be preferred.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

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Apprenticeship

You could do a chartered surveyor degree apprenticeship.

It may be possible to work towards this role by doing a surveying technician apprenticeship. This will teach you some of the skills and knowledge required. You would then need to take further qualifications to gain chartered surveyor status.

RICS has more information on surveying apprenticeships.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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Work

If you have a relevant foundation degree or higher national diploma and are working, for example as a surveying technician, you may be able to get more qualifications on the job.

Other Routes

You could do a postgraduate surveying qualification through:

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about careers in surveying through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building.

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