Surveyors are involved in every aspect of building and construction projects, from buying the land, or assessing the condition of a property, to costing a project or valuing a property.

There are main different fields within surveying and you can find out more about an individual speciality by reading the specific job profile.

The Work

You could be:

• collecting data by measuring and charting the earth’s physical and man-made features
• identifying possible sites for development
• valuing and negotiating the purchase or sale of land
• examining buildings to check for structural damage or defects
• managing construction projects
• estimating the cost of a building or engineering project
• regularly visiting sites to check work is going to schedule
• producing homebuyer reports and energy performance surveys.

Have a look at each of the different fields of surveying for more information

• Surveyor – Building
• Surveyor – Hydrographic
• Surveyor – Land or Geomatics
• Surveyor – Minerals or Waste Management
• Surveyor – Planning and Development
• Surveyor – Quantity
• Surveyor – Rural Practice
• Surveyor – Valuation.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting salary for graduate surveyors is around £18,000 to £25,000. With experience this can rise to between £25,000 and £40,000. Some fields may earn commission.

Conditions

Conditions vary widely.

• You might be based in an office and travel to sites or you could be based on site, maybe in a remote area, for a period of time.
• Your working hours could involve early rises, irregular shifts, nights or weekend work, or weeks away from home.
• At times, you work outside in all weathers.
• You would sometimes have to wear safety gear, for example a hard hat.

Getting In

You gain chartered or associate status by following one of the routes approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Entry requirements may differ depending on chosen route.

• Studying a degree accredited by RICS followed by a period of supervised practical training (Assessment of Professional Competence).
• If your degree is not RICS-accredited, you can do an accredited postgraduate qualification or conversion course.
• You can enter a job with some subjects at National 5 and Highers and train on the job for the AssocRICS qualification (associate member of RICS) for 4 years.
• Alternatively, if you have an HNC or HND you could get a trainee job and work towards RICS associate membership with two years of supervised training.
• Entry requirements for an HND are 2 Highers, and for a degree, 4 Highers. English and Maths are preferred.

In addition to the above you:

• usually need a driving licence
• should be generally fit and agile, as you have to climb ladders and scaffolding and crawl underground
• should hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent, to work on building sites. You will need to pass a health and safety test to qualify for this scheme.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland

  Scotland

2021

5146

2.9 %

RISE

2026

5297

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• good communication and negotiating skills
• good powers of observation
• good organisational and planning skills
• a detailed knowledge of building regulations
• awareness of health and safety matters
• analytical and problem solving skills
• IT skills.

You need to be able to:

• understand building plans and do technical tasks
• be decisive and assertive - willing to make unpopular decisions
• work in a team and manage people
• take responsibility
• work to deadlines.

Training

• Once you have completed an accredited degree you would find employment as a trainee surveyor.
• To qualify as a chartered surveyor you would complete your Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) which is 24 months of structured training, consisting of on the job learning and assessment. This leads to RICS membership and the status of chartered surveyor.
• Chartered Surveyors have to complete 20 hours continued professional development (CPD) every year.

Getting On

• With experience you can move into a senior post.
• You might become a project manager.
• You could perhaps become a self-employed consultant.
• Gaining membership of relevant professional body may improve your prospects.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.