A field journal for UK quantity surveyors
Honest, well-researched writing on careers, contracts and craft — for the surveyors construction left to figure things out alone.
Yes, MRICS is worth it for many quantity surveyors in 2026 — but not because the letters are magic. It is worth it when it improves your credibility, commercial judgement, salary ceiling and access to senior opportunities.
Yes, quantity surveyors are in demand. But here's the catch: employers aren't just hunting for QSs — they're competing fiercely for knowledgeable, commercially sharp professionals. Here's what that means for your career.
The RICS APC has a pass rate of 70–75%. This guide shows you how to be in the majority that passes first time. We cover every step: the training routes, QS pathway competencies, how to write your Summary of Experience and Case Study, and exactly what happens in the one-hour final assessment interview.
The average construction project manager salary in the UK is £52,616 (Glassdoor, 259 salaries). But the range is wide — from £27,000 for graduates to £130,000+ for directors. This guide provides the full breakdown by experience, region, and sector, plus how PM pay compares to QS and site management roles.
Chartered QSs earn 15–25% more than non-chartered professionals at the same experience level. That’s £7,000 to £17,000 more per year — and the gap widens at every career stage. Here’s the complete data, plus why chartership unlocks roles that are simply closed without it.
Free tools
Calculator
Enter your day rate and contract structure to see exactly what lands in your bank account after tax — comparing Ltd Company, Umbrella and Inside IR35 side by side using the latest 2025/26 HMRC rates.
01 / 06
Promotions, pay rises, transitions, and the long arc of a surveying career. Honest writing on what the job pays, where it leads, and how to get more from it.
02 / 06
The working knowledge of quantity surveying, from fundamentals to specifics. Cost planning, measurement, valuation, variations, CVRs, final accounts — the practical craft that fills a working week.
03 / 06
CostX, Bluebeam, Causeway, BIM, Excel for QS, and the AI tools changing the workflow. Honest reviews and practical workflows, not vendor talking points.
04 / 06
Market reports, sector analysis, and interviews with senior surveyors. What the construction pipeline, regulation, and economy actually mean for the people doing the measuring.
05 / 06
For graduates, apprentices, and career-switchers. The universities, degree apprenticeships, and entry routes that actually lead to working QS roles — and what to expect in your first year.
06 / 06
JCT, NEC4, FIDIC, and the clauses that show up on real projects. Plain-English guides for surveyors who need to understand a contract by Monday morning, not pass an exam.