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Building Surveying

Building surveyors provide professional advice on property and construction projects, which can range from modest adaptations and repairs to multi-million-pound structures

Practice Area	Building Surveying
Introduction	Building surveyors also inspect new and existing buildings, identifying defects and advising repair, maintenance and restoration. They may also implement preventative measures to keep buildings in good condition and look for ways to make buildings sustainable. You may also project manage building works and some building surveyors offer a design service too.
What skills are required?	Report writing, good communication skills The ability to work well with clients and other professionals. Commercial awareness as many building surveyors work in fee earning roles. Technical skills and a practical mind set. Good IT skills
What qualifications are required?	An RICS accredited degree is often required, most Building Surveyors will work towards chartered status with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
What is it like in practice?	Building surveyors work in all aspects of property including residential, commercial, leisure, agricultural and industrial markets and niche areas can include building conservation, insurance, rights to light, party wall matters and dilapidations. Building surveyors provide professional, technical, expert advice to clients and need an excellent level of technical knowledge as well as the ability to work with clients and other professionals. Building surveyors can work in the public sector, private practice or may be self-employed. The job can be an active one, visiting and inspecting buildings, climbing into roof spaces etc so you may need a level of physical fitness. Building surveyors can cover large geographical areas and so a driving licence is usually requited.
Work Environment	Split between office and site work
Employment opportunities	Firms often advertise for graduate with a building surveying degree, although trainee roles are sometimes available. There are also degree apprenticeships in building surveying available
More information	Visit RICS (opens new window) Visit Prospects (opens new window)
Relevant UCEM programmes	BSc Building Surveying MSc Building Surveying

You might like this role if you enjoy:

Understanding how buildings are constructed how the materials used affect the performance of a structure
Using science, technology and design to understand the links between construction methods and materials to identify problems and identify solutions

See more skills used by building surveyors:

Using verbal and written communication skills to explain technical matters and write reports
Researching and explaining data in specialist areas
Working with different people such as clients, colleagues and the general public
Using visual intelligence and perceptual skills to use plans, charts and diagrams