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A field journal for UK quantity surveyors

Building your path to success in quantity surveying.

Honest, well-researched writing on careers, contracts and craft — for the surveyors construction left to figure things out alone.

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A quantity surveyor reviewing a construction cost report on a laptop at a site office desk

Cost Reporting in Construction: What QSs Need to Know

Cost reporting is one of the core commercial skills a QS builds early and uses for an entire career. This guide breaks down what a construction cost report actually contains, how often it's produced, who reads it, and how it feeds into the monthly CVR.

Date12 Aug 2026CategorySkills & Practice
A construction professional reviewing project plans on site, representing career progression from graduate to director in UK construction

Construction Career Progression: From Graduate to Director

How does a construction career actually progress in the UK? This pillar guide maps every rung of the ladder from graduate QS to commercial director, with realistic timelines, salary bands and the moves that speed things up.

Date11 Aug 2026CategoryCareer Development
A quantity surveyor using takeoff software on a dual-monitor setup with construction drawings

CostX Review: Is It the Best Quantity Takeoff Software?

CostX has been an industry-standard for 2D and BIM-based quantity takeoff for two decades. This review breaks down what it does well, what it costs, where it struggles, and whether it deserves a place on your desktop in 2026.

Date10 Aug 2026CategoryTools & Software
A quantity surveyor reviewing a contract on site - weighing up freelance versus permanent work in UK construction.

Freelance QS vs Permanent QS UK

Weighing up freelance QS vs permanent QS UK? Compare day rates against salary, IR35 status, job security and the practical steps to going freelance - so you can pick the route that suits you in 2026.

Date10 Aug 2026CategoryCareer Development
A chartered surveyor carrying out a RICS Red Book inspection of a commercial property

RICS Red Book Explained: What Surveyors Need to Know

What actually is a RICS Red Book valuation, and why do lenders, auditors and courts insist on it? This guide explains the standard, when you need one, and how it differs from an informal valuation.

Date9 Aug 2026CategorySkills & Practice

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