What does a surveyor do?

A surveyor is in charge of inspecting buildings to identify any structural damage or loss of integrity. Based on their findings, a surveyor makes the appropriate recommendations, which may result in repair work being needed. A surveyor’s work has an impact on buildings insurance and other legal requirements for owners. This role encompasses a large variety of tasks. In addition to the duties listed above, a surveyor may manage budgets, advise on planning permission or even work on conservation areas for historic structures. As a result, surveyors may specialise in several areas, such as land surveys, environmental surveys, rural practice surveys, quantity surveys, party-wall surveys, planning and development surveys, valuation surveys or commercial surveys.

Surveyor skills and qualifications

Surveyors have a very specific skillset, and successful candidates will have the following skills to be able to fulfil their duties in the role:

• Numeracy skills and the ability to carry out mathematical calculations
• Analytical skills and an ability to interpret data
• Technological skills
• Problem-solving skills and an ability to think logically
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent verbal communication skills and an ability to manage customers
• Willingness to work in a group but also independently

Surveyor experience requirements

In this highly complex field, experience is a definite advantage. Candidates can obtain this experience either during their studies or by volunteering with surveyors directly and shadowing them for a set amount of time. Employers should look at general experience as a surveyor but also specialised experience as per the job description.

Surveyor education and training requirements

Although specific qualifications are required, different routes can be taken to enter this profession. Candidates can obtain the necessary qualifications by completing a university course, a graduate training scheme or even an apprenticeship. Candidates can get a professional qualification approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Surveying, construction, civil and building engineering are all relevant subjects for this role. Another way to get into this field is to do an apprenticeship with a surveying company. Some surveyors start their career as surveying technician or geospatial survey technician and move up the ladder from there.

Surveyor salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a surveyor is £39,175 per year. As with many jobs, the salary will vary depending on the level of experience, the employer, the location and the fluctuation between market demand and the number of job seekers at the time of application.

Job description samples for similar positions

Other job descriptions are also available on our site for similar roles or other roles within the construction industry.

• Construction Manager
• Quantity Surveyor
• Architect
• Real Estate Consultant

Surveyor job description FAQs

What questions should you ask when interviewing for a surveyor role?

Surveyors require a high level of technical knowledge in the field. During the interview, employers can ask questions such as how the candidate dealt with situations in which the client was unhappy with the plans created. You could also ask the candidate to describe the most challenging design they have had to work with, or to talk about their most successful project to date.

Does a surveyor need a CSCS card?

Surveyors who work on construction sites are required to have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. This scheme provides proof that the candidate has the required knowledge to work on a construction site and is aware of basic safety and security measures.

What career path could this role lead to for a surveyor?

Surveyors who have sufficient experience in buildings surveys can move into project management roles or specialise in their field, in areas such as land surveying, geomatics surveying or building control. With so many types of surveying available, specialisation gives a wide range of possibilities.