| A senior quantity surveyor is a professional who | | | | surveyors have bachelor degrees in civil engineering. |
| ideals with construction projects and costs. The | | | | Masters degrees in construction management are |
| senior quantity surveyor estimates the cost for | | | | also offered and there are several online programs. |
| product manufacturing, construction projects or | | | | Coursework covers topics like construction |
| services. Some senior quantity surveyors specialize in | | | | management, construction law, site planning and |
| specific products or services. | | | | structure, economic planning, estimation and bidding |
| Different Levels and Positions | | | | strategies, information systems, bidding and |
| There are several different levels of quantity | | | | procurement, risk analysis in construction, international |
| surveyors. At the bottom of the ladder is the entry | | | | construction and information systems. |
| level. Above that is the junior executive level. Next | | | | The American Society of Professional Estimators |
| up the ladder is the senior executive level. The top | | | | offers a certified professional estimator certification |
| level on the ladder is the manager. There are also | | | | to workers with five years experiences. Continuing |
| specialists at each level who focus on just one or | | | | education classes are offered. These can be |
| product. | | | | completed on site or online. The purpose of |
| How to Move Up from One Level to Another | | | | professional development is to raise professional |
| A senior quantity surveyor is a very competitive field. | | | | standards and also to provide training in specialty |
| Employers look for the best candidates. | | | | areas such as cost engineering estimation, cost |
| Advancement comes with education. experience, | | | | control planning, quantity surveying, and construction |
| hard work, good reputation and opportunity. A senior | | | | cost management. |
| quantity surveyor needs a strong construction | | | | Salary |
| mechanical background along with excellent math | | | | The salaries of a senior surveyor vary greatly. The |
| skills, good communications skills, and proficiency in | | | | field is very competitive. The average salary range |
| computer use and certain software programs. | | | | goes from $33,000 to over $94,000 but there are |
| Job Description | | | | bonuses that can enhance the base salary. The |
| A senior surveyor is responsible for many tasks. | | | | bonuses can range anywhere from $1000 to $5000 |
| Among these is managing expenses on building | | | | or even more. In addition to monetary benefits, most |
| projects such as schools, hospitals, factories, bridges, | | | | positions have other benefits. Eighty percent have |
| residential complexes, and office building. A senior | | | | medical benefits. Fifty percent have dental benefits. |
| quantity surveyor determines what maintenance and | | | | Thirty percent have vision benefits. Twenty percent |
| repair of such projects would cost and does | | | | of the positions in the field have no benefits. |
| feasibility studies. The senior quantity survey can also | | | | Salary varies according to level and years of |
| advise a client about contracts and can let out bids | | | | experience. About seventy-one percent of those |
| and subcontract work. | | | | working in this field have less than four years of |
| Basically the senior surveyor is responsible for | | | | experience. Ten percent have five to nine years of |
| managing all costs related to building projects from | | | | experience and only fourteen percent have twenty |
| the initial calculations of the project to the final | | | | or more years of experience. An entry level position |
| figures. The goal of the senior quantity surveyor is to | | | | might pay only $2000 per month while a junior |
| minimize expenses and get more for the money. The | | | | executive might make $2700 per month, a senior |
| senior quantity surveyor is responsible for compliance | | | | executive $4500 per month and a senior quantity |
| with health and safety regulations in accordance with | | | | surveyor manager could easily make $5800 per |
| OSHA and local and state standards. The surveyor | | | | month. |
| generally works for a client or contractor. The job | | | | Other names include construction cost consultant and |
| involves both office and onsite work | | | | commercial manager, cost estimator. Being a senior |
| Training | | | | quantity surveyor means doing exciting work in |
| Certification is optional but highly recommended. Many | | | | growing field. |