Career Progression of a Quantity Surveyor

Your Career in Quantity Surveying

Maxim recruitment consultants have many years' experience finding jobs for quantity surveyors at every level.  As one of our core specialist areas, we have established relationships with a large number of Senior Quantity Surveyors, Managing Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Managers, Directors, Partners and Associates with most of the best employers of quantity surveyors in the UK, Middle East, Canada, Hong Kong and around the world..

Our recruitment consultants are able to advise of the latest quantity surveying vacancies with:

  • Civil Engineering Contractors
  • Building Contractors
  • PQS/Cost Consultants
  • Management Contractors
  • Property Developers
  • Client Organisations

Graduate and Assistant Quantity Surveyors

We are able to help Graduate Quantity Surveyors and Assistant Quantity Surveyors into their first job, and offer personal advice on the best in house training programmes available that suit your career ambitions and choice of direction.

Intermediate Quantity Surveyors

With 1-4 years' experience on site or in clients' offices, you are a very marketable asset in a market desperately short of skilled people. Capable Intermediate Quantity Surveyors can command impressive increases in salary over a short period of time.

Quantity Surveyors & Senior Quantity Surveyors

Once you can work fully independently on significant commercial tasks, either in the office or on site, you further increase in value to an employer.  At this point it is valuable to be starting to make choices about the sector you are keen to specialise in, as moving sectors or specialist fields from here onwards may require a move back down the ladder and drop in salary.   It may be wise to confirm you career development plan, and agree funding for any external training you think you need to progress yourself.

Managing Quantity Surveyors & Commercial Managers

At this level, positions are less frequently advertised, and selection for roles often becomes a particularly rigorous process involving 2, 3 or more interviews.  Maxim can advise on the best way to approach these difficult moments in breaking into the top flight of the quantity surveying discipline.  We also usually have a significant number of positions to discuss with you that are not advertised on the open market or even with the larger construction recruitment agencies.

Apply for Suitable Jobs

Follow up you interest in quantity surveying jobs by looking at our latest vacancies and applying to us to open a dialogue.

Quantum Delay Claims & Dispute Jobs

We are a market leader in construction disputes recruitment. If you are an experienced QS, Planner or Engineer this might be for you.

Learn Why

Search Jobs

Get Jobs in Your Inbox

Save time searching and get notified when a job in the right role, sector, location, salary range comes up.

Register for Job Alerts

Newsletter

Get construction industry news relating to the UK, Canada, Asia, the Middle East and other worldwide locations.

Subscribe

Maxim Insights

2026 Annual Salary Guide for UK Construction Claims and Disputes Jobs

Our salary survey has become a valuable resource for both employers and candidates, offering insight into salary trends within this specialist field. It is an essential reference for professionals looking to transition into a career in claims and disputes.…

Read more »

The Hidden Market | Why Top Construction Roles Are Often Filled Before They Reach Job Boards

The best opportunities never appear on job boards. From Senior Quantity Surveyors to Project Directors on flagship infrastructure developments, top construction roles are often filled quietly, through networks, referrals and specialist recruiters.…

Read more »

Data-Driven Hiring | Using Market Insights to Set Competitive Salaries

For organisations hiring quantity surveyors, project managers, planners, commercial managers and construction consultants, understanding current salary trends is essential. Using reliable market insights helps employers set competitive offers and reduce hiring delays. …

Read more »

The Business Case for Long-Term Recruitment Partnerships

Lets be honest; in many construction businesses, recruitment is reactive. A project wins approval, a team member resigns, or a workload spike suddenly creates an urgent need for additional capability. …

Read more »

Salary Or Value | Why Flexibility and Culture are Redefining A Dream Job

For decades, salary was often the defining factor when construction professionals evaluated a job opportunity. While remuneration still matters, it feels like the idea of the “dream job” in 2026 has evolved significantly.…

Read more »

Industry News

Huws Gray fined £2.2m over worker’s death

The HSE has announced that builders merchants Huws Gray has been fined £2.2m over the death of Paul Coulson, who was crushed in a conveyor.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 27 March, 04:41

Read more »

px Group wins carbon capture O&M contract

Teesside’s px Group has won a ‘multimillion pound’ contract to operate and maintain two facilities at the UK’s first commercial-scale carbon capture and storage project. The announcement comes as the wider project, the East Coast Cluster, celebrates £1.5bn in contracts awarded.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 27 March, 03:59

Read more »

JCB offers 100% biodiesel option

JCB is to offer the option of fuelling selected tracked excavators in its range using biodiesel, derived completely from renewable biological sources.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 27 March, 03:05

Read more »

St Modwen helps Miller Homes to new heights

Miller Homes, the UK’s 6th largest house-builder and largest private house-builder, has published results for 2025, showing a record year for the business.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 27 March, 08:37

Read more »

Edinburgh approves retirement village plan

City of Edinburgh Council has granted planning consent for a 2.2-acre retirement village.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 27 March, 08:12

Read more »