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Chartered Surveyor

Do you want to become a Chartered Surveyor? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Surveyors are concerned with the value of physical assets - including construction projects, houses, land, minerals, the seabed and antiques.

Chartered surveying is not a single career, but a group of careers with skills in common, for example:

• building surveyors advise on the design and construction of new buildings and the repair and renovation of existing buildings
• construction surveyors oversee construction projects, from dams to new houses
• environmental surveyors assess and monitor the effects of building works on the environment
• rural surveyors are experts on environmental management, real estate, auctioning, valuing property and equipment, and lease reviews.

The working day is usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, but overtime may be needed to meet deadlines. Surveyors are office based, but their work often involves spending time outdoors, on site. They are usually required to travel to visit clients.

Graduates usually start on £15,000 to £22,000, and top salaries can be over £100,000.

A chartered surveyor should:

• have a logical mind
• be a practical problem solver
• be good at working with people at all levels
• have excellent negotiating skills
• have good IT skills.

Chartered surveyors work for a range of employers including surveying practices, property companies, consultancies, large land-owning organisations, local and central government. There are opportunities for overseas work and self-employment.

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is the main professional institution, and membership is essential for chartered surveyor status. The usual entry route is via a degree, or postgraduate conversion course, accredited by RICS. Entry to a RICS accredited degree course is generally with three A levels/four H grades, plus five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent.

People without the academic entry requirements for degree courses can take HNC/HND courses or Foundation degrees, then 'top up' their qualifications. Adults with relevant experience can qualify through the RICS 'experience' route.

On completion of a RICS accredited degree or diploma, it is necessary to gain further practical experience before becoming fully qualified. Career progression can lead to senior management in large organisations, or partnership in a private practice. There are opportunities for overseas work and self-employment is common.

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