All construction projects – including housing estates, office developments, airport terminals and national sports stadiums – cost a lot of money to complete. Quantity Surveyors are the professionals who manage the purse strings on these projects from start to finish. 

Quantity Surveyors provide value for money through the efficient cost management of the construction process – their objective is to control cost, limit risk and add value to a project ensuring that the design and construction of a project delivers value to a client.

Quantity Surveyors often act as project managers – appointed at the beginning of a project, they assist the client in developing the project brief and then selecting, appointing and co-ordinating the project team. 

Where do they work?

Quantity Surveyors work in all sectors of the construction industry worldwide. In real estate this covers residential, commercial, industrial, leisure, agricultural and retail facilities. In infrastructure, they work on projects related to roads, railways, waterways, airports, sea ports, coastal defences, power generation and utilities.  

Irish Quantity Surveyors are recognised – and much sought after - as experts in specialised areas, such as the construction of large pharmaceutical facilities and data centres.

What sort of subjects should you be interested in to pursue a career in this area?

Quantity Surveying courses cover a wide range of technical skills in the areas of science, technology and professional capability. Therefore, you should be interested in subjects such as science, maths, construction technology, law, business and IT. The courses also place great emphasis on professional skills, including communication, leadership and dispute resolution.

SCSI - The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland