Building Surveyor Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a building surveyor. Feel free to use our building surveyor job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a building surveyor.
Who is a Building Surveyor?
Building surveys are in-depth inspection that provides a detailed assessment of the state of a property. While a building survey is not the only sort of survey available to property owners, it is the most frequent, especially among domestic clients. The surveys are typically conducted to assist property owners in understanding the status of their property, identifying any hazards and expenditures, and allowing them to build appropriate corrective or maintenance plans. They can also be developed for individual homeowners, home buyers, or property portfolio investors to assist them to make better decisions about their future investments.
A building survey is a thorough examination and analysis of a property’s construction and services that allow a surveyor to determine the impact the property’s condition will have on a client or owner. The scope of the survey must be sufficient for the surveyor to provide advice on any potential issues that may arise with the building’s various components. The surveyor must also be able to inform the client/owner of any areas of the property that do not meet modern legislation’s criteria, as well as any changes that must be made to fulfill those requirements. It’s crucial to remember that a building survey is a consideration of what’s discovered in relation to the specific needs of each customer.
A building surveyor is a professional who advises customers on building design, construction, maintenance, and repair. They conduct building surveys, then write reports and make recommendations based on their findings. Building surveyors are in charge of evaluating the quality of structures ranging from homes to public and commercial buildings. They assess the state of buildings and make recommendations for how to enhance them. When it comes to a building surveyor’s obligations, though, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.. In reality, they play an important role in the construction process, counseling architects and builders on maintenance methods, maintaining high safety standards, advising on bidders and contractors, and more. If you’re thinking about becoming a building surveyor, you’ll need to know about the many components of the job and the importance of the work you’ll be doing. One of the most important responsibilities of a building surveyor is to ensure that a structure is safe.
Surveys are typically performed by chartered surveyors and can be presented as a formal, stand-alone report that provides a snapshot of a property at a specific point in time, including all elements of the property that are accessible, as well as recommendations for an appropriate strategy for dealing with any issues that may arise. Chartered status is seen as a professional advancement for a building surveyor. A Chartered Building Surveyor is a sort of Chartered Surveyor who works in all areas of property and construction, from overseeing huge mixed-use developments to designing residential expansions. Building surveying is one of the most diverse types of surveying. It has a diverse workload that includes anything from historic building conservation and restoration to contemporary new developments.
Cathedrals, heritage structures, and museums, in addition to residential and commercial premises, require surveying. As a building surveyor, you might play an important role in preserving our past.. There will be a lot of housing administrators who will need an expert’s opinion. Planning permit applications, demolition licenses, and maintenance agreements may all require your assistance. You’ll also need to double-check that your own surveyed properties’ paperwork is in order.
Building Surveyor Job Description
Below are the building surveyor job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a building surveyor job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a building surveyor include the following:
- Conducts on-site property inspections
- Creates comprehensive reports and recommendations
- Identifies flaws and makes recommendations for repairs
- Provides guidance on suggested changes, enhancements, and extensions
- Budgets and schedules are being prepared.
- Provides environmental and safety advice
- Meets with clients and contractors to keep an eye on the project’s progress
- Provides guidance on legal and planning matters
- Works both on-site and in an office is possible.
- Ensures that projects are completed on time and on budget.
- Provides advice to clients on schemes and projects, as well as determining requirements.
- Prepares scheme designs with costings, project completion schedules, and job specifications.
- Organizes tender documents and provides advice on hiring contractors, designers, and procurement methods.
- Determines the state of existing structures, identifies and analyzes faults, and makes repair recommendations.
- Provides recommendations on energy efficiency, environmental impact, and long-term construction.
- Educates on the preservation and conservation of historic structures.
- Provides guidance on the administration and supervision of building maintenance.
- Deals with planning applications and provides advice on property laws and construction codes.
- Assesses and designs buildings to fulfill the needs of people with impairments.
- Provides guidance on building design and management regulations.
- Negotiates dilapidations (where a property’s state of disrepair constitutes a legal responsibility)
- Conducts feasibility studies
- Provides building-related health and safety advice.
- Provides legal advice on the border and “right to light” conflicts, as well as party wall processes.
- Prepares insurance claims and assessments.
- Conducts structural and interior inspections to ensure that all aspects of a building, including plumbing and electrical work, meet safety standards.
- Ascertains that structures are fit for human occupancy.
- Ascertains that a structure complies with energy regulations.
Qualifications
To work as a building surveyor as a graduate, you’ll need either an undergraduate degree in building surveying or something equivalent from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or a postgraduate conversion programme from the RICS (this is typically a PG Dip or masters).
Several building surveying firms will hire graduates with a graduate degree and pay for them to complete the RICS postgraduate degree while they work for them. Most employers, however, prefer to recruit you if you already have an RICS-accredited degree. If you have a foundation degree in a field unrelated to surveying, you’ll need to enroll in a postgraduate surveying course, which you can do through a company’s postgraduate scheme or by studying full or part-time at an RICS-accredited university.
While in the graduate post, you will normally be expected to study towards chartership with the RICS (usually, but maybe a related professional organization such as the Chartered Institute of Building) (usually, but possibly a similar professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Building). RICS provides information on the process of obtaining chartership.
To become fully qualified, aspiring building surveyors must complete at least two years of structured professional experience (quite similar to on-the-job training) after obtaining the appropriate degree degrees, or the equivalent. This completely supervised and structured training, known as The Assessment of Professional Competence, ensures that all trainee surveyors are competent to practice and uphold the RCIS’s standards. An interview, a presentation to assess the candidate’s interpersonal and business abilities, and a written list of experiences so far round up the APC. Chartered surveyors are permitted to use MRICS (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) after their name if they pass the assessment. Most candidates complete their APC after completing their undergraduate degree; however, professionals with a degree and 5 years of experience in a relevant sector can complete a fast-track version of the APC course in 12 months and become members of the MRCIS.
As a student, gaining work experience in building surveying or a similar construction, property, or planning profession might help you stand out when applying for graduate jobs. Summer internships and industrial year postings are available at many of the typical employers of building surveyors. Find out how to apply for internships with property and construction companies.
Finally, maintaining a reasonable level of physical fitness is a good idea. Many building surveyor jobs include site visits in all weather conditions, which can be physically demanding if you have to climb ladders or inspect difficult-to-reach regions. A full driver’s license is also a major plus.
Essential Skills
- Organizational abilities and a keen eye for detail are required.
- Willingness to work outdoors in any weather
- Interest in and thorough understanding of the built environment, particularly building codes and health and safety standards
- A grasp of how their recommendations would affect the profitability of a construction project
- Relationship-building abilities and a thorough understanding of customer service are essential.
- IT abilities, including industry-specific software expertise
- Analytical thinking and good problem-solving abilities are required.
- Written and oral communication abilities
- Personality Qualities
- Outstanding project and time management abilities
- Teamwork abilities.
- Construction and building knowledge
- Ability to provide excellent client service
- Your ability to take charge
- Ability to think analytically
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.
How to Become a Building Surveyor
To become a construction surveyor, you might take a variety of paths. A university degree, an apprenticeship, or on-the-job training are all options.
You should look into these options for becoming a construction surveyor to see which one is best for you. Although some of these opportunities demand certain qualifications, many companies are more interested in people who are energetic, eager to learn, and can follow directions. To work on a construction site, you may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.
University
An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject authorized by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, such as surveying, construction, civil engineering, or building engineering, could be completed.
2 – 3 A levels, or equivalent, are commonly required for an undergraduate degree. If your undergraduate degree is in a subject such as economics, law, or maths, you could take an accredited postgraduate qualification in surveying to become a building surveyor.
Graduate training scheme
A postgraduate qualification in building surveying can be obtained through a graduate trainee arrangement with a construction company or a distance learning course with the University College of Estate Management.
Provider of higher education or training
You might get a construction-related certification, such as a level 3 diploma in Construction and the Built Environment or a T Level in Construction Design, Surveying and Planning, to help you on your way to becoming a building surveyor. You’ll need the following items to complete this task:
3 GCSEs or equivalent, including English and maths, at grade 4 or higher (level 3 course)
At least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths, with a grade of 4 or higher (T Level).
Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a wonderful method to get started in the field. To become a building surveyor, you could undergo a chartered surveyor apprenticeship. To become an apprentice, you’ll need up to 5 GCSEs in grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent. Anyone over the age of 16 can apply for an apprenticeship. You will be completely hired by your employer as an apprentice, and you will be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be divided between on-the-job training and attending a college or training facility.
Work
If you have prior experience or qualifications and are able to obtain work as a surveying technician, you may be able to complete additional qualifications while working to become a building surveyor.
Work experience
In order to work in the construction sector, you must have prior work experience. You could get this at school or by working as a building surveyor on weekends and holidays for a company or a relative. Work experience stated on your CV will always impress potential employers.
Where to Work
Many Building Surveyors today are self-employed. However, their typical employers are large building firms, local authorities, and specialist property consultancies. Building surveyors work in many types of real estate, including residential, commercial, retail, industrial, leisure, education, and health care. As a result, chartered building surveyors have a wide range of job options in the commercial, private, and public sectors. Many Chartered building surveyors work for property consultancies, public sector organizations, real estate owners, and contractors, as well as in a variety of specialized niche sectors like insurance, rights to light, and party wall issues.
Building Surveyor Salary Scale
Salary ranges for building surveyors depend on a variety of factors, including education, certifications, supplementary skills, professional experience, and even the employing business. Graduate building surveyors can expect to earn between £22,000 and £26,000 per year, though this may be more in London. With a few years of expertise, you may expect to earn between £28,000 and £50,000. This can grow to £70,000 at the senior level. There is the possibility of earning a six-figure pay as a partner or director. The average income for chartered building surveyors is £48,000, according to the RICS Macdonald & Company Rewards & Attitudes Survey 2019, and chartered building surveyors make roughly 38% more than non-chartered colleagues.
Salaries vary by geography, with the highest being in downtown London. A business automobile, mobile phone, and pension are frequently included as additional benefits. RICS data on earnings. The figures are just to be used as a guide. A Land Surveyor in Nigeria earns roughly 135,000 NGN per month on average. Salaries range from 66,100 NGN to 211,000 NGN (lowest to highest) (highest). This is the monthly average pay, which includes housing, transportation, and other benefits. Salary for land surveyors varies greatly depending on experience, abilities, gender, and region. A full breakdown based on a variety of parameters may be found below.
