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A quantity surveyor reviewing project costs and drawings on a UK construction site

How Long Does It Take to Become a Quantity Surveyor in the UK?

Wondering how long it takes to become a quantity surveyor in the UK? Here is the honest timeline for every route, from a 6-7 year degree path to a 4-5 year apprenticeship, plus how the RICS APC fits in.

Date3 Sept 2026CategoryRoutes Into Surveying
A quantity surveyor reviewing an elemental cost plan and construction drawings in a UK office

Construction Cost Planning: A Complete QS Guide

Cost planning is the core discipline that sits behind every construction budget decision. This guide walks through the RIBA-stage cost plan journey, the elemental method, RICS NRM1 structure, contingency allowances and a full worked example - everything a QS needs to build a defensible cost plan.

Date2 Sept 2026CategorySkills & Practice
A quantity surveyor reviewing plans on a UK construction site during a morning walk-round.

A Day in the Life of a Quantity Surveyor (Realistic Expectations)

Forget the glossy job description. Here's a realistic, illustrative day in the life of a UK quantity surveyor - from the morning site walk to the last cost report email, and how contractor-side days differ from consultant-side ones.

Date1 Sept 2026CategoryCareer Development
A commercial manager and quantity surveyor reviewing a subcontractor claim submission and supporting records at a site office desk

How to Handle Subcontractor Claims as a Commercial Manager

Managing subcontractor claims UK: how commercial managers should assess loss and expense, extension of time and disruption claims, what evidence to demand, and when to settle versus reject.

Date30 Aug 2026CategoryContracts & Law
A site quantity surveyor reviewing a daywork sheet with a contractor on a UK construction site

Dayworks in Construction: How They're Valued and Agreed

Dayworks value instructed work on a time-and-materials basis when it cannot be fairly measured any other way. Here is how dayworks schedules price labour, plant and materials, how JCT and NEC treat them, and why unsigned sheets cause so many disputes.

Date29 Aug 2026CategoryContracts & Law

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