Quantity survey , planning and executing of the construction process.

Surveying, plotting of the site, quality inspection

of construction, internal valuations and management, assisting seniors with preparation of monthly valuations

Quantity surveyor:Job description

A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial
calculations to the final figures.
Surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the
required standards and quality. Many of these are specified by statutory building regulations, which the
surveyor needs to understand and adhere to.
A quantity surveyor may work for either the client or the contractor, working in an office or on site. They
are involved in a project from the start, preparing estimates and costs of the work.
When the project is in progress, quantity surveyors keep track of any variations to the contract that may
affect costs and create reports to show profitability.
The title of the job may also be referred to as a construction cost consultant or commercial manager.

Typical work activities

Responsibilities vary depending on the nature and stage of the project being worked on, but can include:

preparing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with the architect and/or the
client;
undertaking cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work;

assisting in establishing a client's requirements and undertaking feasibility studies;

performing risk, value management and cost control;

advising on procurement strategy;

identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks;

preparing and analysing costings for tenders;

allocating work to subcontractors;

providing advice on contractual claims;

analysing outcomes and writing detailed progress reports;

valuing completed work and arranging payments;

maintaining awareness of the different building contracts in current use;

understanding the implications of health and safety regulations.

Areas that may be worked on once the surveyor has experience and specialised knowledge include:

offering advice on property taxation;

providing post-occupancy advice, facilities management services and life cycle costing advice;

assisting clients in locating and accessing additional and alternative sources of funds;

enabling clients to initiate construction projects;

advising on the maintenance costs of specific buildings.

Site engineers perform a technical, organisational and supervisory role on construction projects, setting
out and determining the location for above and underground infrastructural installations involved in
construction operations.
Site engineers apply designs and plans to mark out the site and can be involved in projects ranging from
small scale to multi-million pound ventures. This may include civil, road, rail and other infrastructure
projects.
A site engineer works as part of the site management team liaising with and working alongside architects,
engineers, construction managers, supervisors, planners, surveyors and subcontractors. They share
responsibility for site security, health and safety, and the organisation and supervision of material and
human resources.

Typical work activities

Work activities vary depending on the type of employers and nature of the project but typically involve:

acting as the main technical adviser on a construction site for subcontractors, crafts people and
operatives;
setting out, levelling and surveying the site;

checking plans, drawings and quantities for accuracy of calculations;

ensuring that all materials used and work performed are as per specifications;

overseeing the selection and requisition of materials and plant;

agreeing a price for materials, and making cost-effective solutions and proposals for the intended

project;
managing, monitoring and interpreting the contract design documents supplied by the client or

architect;
liaising with any consultants, subcontractors, supervisors, planners, quantity surveyors and the

general workforce involved in the project;

liaising with the local authority (where appropriate to the project) to ensure compliance with local

construction regulations and by-laws;

liaising with clients and their representatives (architects, engineers and surveyors), including

attending regular meetings to keep them informed of progress;

day-to-day management of the site, including supervising and monitoring the site labour force and

the work of any subcontractors;

planning the work and efficiently organising the plant and site facilities in order to meet agreed

deadlines;
overseeing quality control and health and safety matters on site;

preparing reports as required;

resolving any unexpected technical difficulties and other problems that may arise.

Site engineer job description

The role of site engineer and what exactly they do varies enormously from project to project a housing
development, for example, will have very different needs to a shopping centre. But most site engineer jobs
will include technical, supervisory and organisational elements.

Projects can be small-scale or multi-million pound affairs. As a site engineer, you could be working on road,
civil, rail or other infrastructure projects, based anywhere in the UK.

A site engineer is part of the site management team, and takes some of the responsibility for security,
health and safety, and organising and supervising materials and people. Site engineers mark out the site,
make sure designs are applied correctly and liaise with main and sub-contractors and the site manager.
Regular liaison with the client, its representatives, and any consultants is another key part of the job.

Find Site Engineer jobs now

See all our current Site Engineer jobs or sign up to have new jobs emailed directly to you.

Site engineers act as day-to-day managers on a construction site, and the main source of technical advice
and quality control for everyone working on it. The role also involves levelling and surveying a site, checking
drawings and quantities and ensuring the accuracy of calculations.

Site engineers agree the price and oversee the choice for materials and plant to be used on the project.

A site engineer will plan the work to be done and organise things so that deadlines are met. If technical or
any other problems crop up, it is up to the site engineer to resolve them. For many site engineers, the most
satisfying aspect is seeing a project successfully reach completion.

Site engineer Richard Fuller is working for Amey on a Transport for London contract. He says: Every day is
different with varied challenges. You are only as good as the team around you. So treat your workforce
fairly, and they will give you back the extra effort you sometimes need. Treat your client with respect and
you will gain respect. If you can overcome problems proactively, and stay positive, even if things go wrong,
you will look back on your achievements with great satisfaction."

Video case study

Salary
Professionals in the field made on average from 30,400 to 34,500 in 2008, and from 35,700 to 39,900
in 2009, according to figures from jobs posted on CareerStructure.com.

Hours and conditions

Conditions and working environment can vary hugely between projects. The work can be stressful, and the
hours long and unsociable. Youll divide your time between site and office, and may need to be out on site in
bad weather. Offices could be temporary and less than luxurious.

You may well have to travel, either doing day trips or overnight. Youll be expected to be mobile, and to have
to move with little notice. Its unlikely that therell be many opportunities to work part-time, or to take
career breaks.

Skills and interests

Being a site engineer requires a mixture of personal, technical and physical abilities.

Youre unlikely to make it as a site engineer if you dont have the right level of fitness, since site visits can
be physically demanding, especially when moving around a sites less accessible areas.

Good site engineers have strong numerical and analytic skills and can think in a very logical way. At the
same time, they need good writing skills and to be able to produce excellent reports.

Youll have to be able to deal with a wide variety of other professionals and be a team player. Site engineers
are often under pressure and need to be exceptionally hard-working and organised with outstanding
problem-solving skills.

As with most other roles in the construction industry, it makes real sense to get some work experience as
soon as you can. Lots of companies are wiling to provide holiday work experience to undergraduates, or as
part of sandwich courses. This will not only give you a valuable insight into whether this kind of work is
really for you, but also a network of contacts and a real advantage when you come to apply for jobs, as
youll be able to be effective much more quickly.

Industry

Although the construction industry was particularly affected by the recession, there are already reports of
improvements in the house-building sector. At the same time, candidates with the right skills will always be
in demand to fill the job opportunities available.

Self-employment opportunities are available, especially for chartered engineers who may have a particular
specialism, such as foundations.

There are jobs abroad, although these tend to be for experienced rather than graduate engineers.

Traditionally, site engineering has always been an extremely male-dominated field, but figures for
membership from professional bodies indicate that this is changing, with more women becoming site
engineers each year.

Although ethnic minorities are currently under-represented throughout the industry, there are awareness
campaigns working to increase diversity

Entry
It is possible to start a career straight from school, but most people go to university first. There are
opportunities in site engineering roles for anyone with an engineering degree or diploma, or indeed any
technical or numerical-based degree. Subjects like building, construction or civil or structural engineering
will be particularly helpful. At many universities a one-year foundation course is an option if you dont have
the right maths or science qualifications.

Some employers visit universities, others expect you to proactively seek them out. As soon as your final
year begins, you should be looking at graduate schemes to start the following autumn.

Its a good idea to join one of the professional associations as a student, and to use your time at university
to cultivate good industry contacts.

Training, other qualifications and advancement

Youll normally have an induction period to start off with, followed by short courses and training at work, but
training varies at each employer, so be very clear about the training you will receive before starting.

If you belong to one of the professional bodies, youll have to follow a programme of continuing professional
development (CPD) each year.

If you have a building degree, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the best professional body to
join. After taking an accredited building degree, youll need to spend three years at work, submit a report on
that and sit an interview.

After a couple of years as a graduate trainee, you may wish to manage your own projects, or become an
assistant site engineer. There are then possibilities to progress to senior engineer, then site manager,
projects manager and contracts manager. As a site engineer, you have the potential to reach senior
management roles while still being in a hands-on capacity.

With the modern emphasis on collaborative working between contractor, consultant and client, progression
to project management is quicker than it was.