Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

The Work

Planning & Development Surveyors are involved in a broad variety of work including assessment of land and property use requirements and development, regeneration appraisal and related planning implementation processes in the public and private sector.

This work relates to all construction projects – including housing estates, office developments, airport terminals, and national sports stadiums – take a lot of money and expertise to complete and maintain.

Surveyors specialise in one of the following areas of construction:

• Quantity Surveying
• Building Surveying
• Project Management
• Facilities Management
• Planning & Development

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

Surveyors often act as a 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.

View Society Chartered Surveyors Ireland What does a Surveyor do in their Career.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
• Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.
• Inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, or foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety, or conformance to specifications and codes.
• Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
• Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs.
• Conduct inspections, using survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, or test equipment.
• Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.
• Train, direct, or supervise other construction inspectors.
• Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

To gain a professional recognition as a Planning & Development Surveyor in Ireland you first need to complete a degree accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCSI) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Those with degree from other disciplines can still become a surveyor by taking an accredited property degree or postgraduate conversion course. 

Surveyors specialise in one of the following areas of construction & valuations:

• Quantity Surveying
• Building Surveying
• Project Management surveyor
• Property  
• Facilities Management
• Residential/ Rural/ Commercial surveyor
• Valuations surveyor
• Planning & development surveyor
• Geomatics
• Minerals & Mining survey

Training & Development 

Many colleges and universities throughout the country offer courses in surveying. A full list of accredited degrees is available on the SCSI website.

Candidates are advised to check individual institutions for course details.

The next step is to undertake a period of training in employment and complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). This is a structured practical training programme, which takes about two years to complete in the workplace, so you will need to be prepared to combine work and study.

The training structure is based on a set of skills known as ‘competences’, which are a mix of technical and professional practice skills along with interpersonal, financial, business and management skills.

Upon successful completion of the APC, you apply to become a member of the SCSI and the RICS.

Status as a chartered surveyor will accelerate career progression and support self-employment in private practice. As this is a globally recognised professional qualification, it will also be recognised if you wish to work overseas.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €110k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley / CPL / Azon/ Brightwater/ Sigmar

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth was above average for this occupation, although employment levels declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. New employment permits issued in 2022 related to quantity surveyors and issues with recruitment of quantity surveyors were also evident in both the Skills for Growth and Recruitment Agency Survey data.

The supply of quantity surveyors has increased since 2016, with 336 awards in 2021 in higher education. The demand for these skills is expected to be sustained in the coming years, although the tasks may be incorporated into other occupations e.g. structural engineer. With supply increasing, issues with recruitment may lessen in future years. Demand for architects and town planners is likely to continue, although the data does not currently point to issues in relation to sourcing suitably qualified personnel for these roles. 

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