Quantity Surveyor

As a Quantity Surveyor you manage the financial and contractual side of construction and civil engineering projects, from initial cost planning right through to final account. You prepare bills of quantities, estimate material and labour costs, and advise clients, architects, and engineers on how to achieve value for money without compromising quality or safety. Day to day you might be measuring completed work on site, negotiating with subcontractors, or preparing interim payment applications for a main contractor. You work closely with project managers, structural engineers, architects, and clients across a wide range of projects including housing developments, commercial buildings, infrastructure, and fit-outs. Your role ensures that projects are delivered on budget and that all financial risks are identified and managed throughout the build.

A Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree in Quantity Surveying is the most common entry route; programmes are offered at TU Dublin, ATU, and SETU, typically requiring a solid Leaving Certificate with higher-level Maths being particularly advantageous. Construction Studies, Physics, Economics, and Business are all useful Leaving Cert subjects that support the technical and commercial content of the degree. Some graduates progress to a Level 9 Masters in Quantity Surveying or Construction Project Management to deepen their expertise. A PLC (QQI Level 5 or 6) in Construction Studies or Civil Engineering can provide an alternative pathway into a Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor degree, with the possibility of topping up to Level 8. After gaining the required work experience, many Quantity Surveyors pursue chartered status through the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which significantly enhances career prospects and professional standing.