What’s the Difference Between a Quantity Surveyor and an Estimator?
Posted by Steve Thomas , Construction Recruitment Director, UK & Canada on Sunday, June 22, 2025
In the complex and fast-evolving world of construction, two roles often emerge as vital to the financial and logistical success of a project: the Quantity Surveyor and the Estimator. Both professions are deeply embedded in the commercial functions of the construction industry, and while they share some overlapping skills and objectives, their core responsibilities and long-term focus differ in meaningful ways.
Understanding these differences is crucial for professionals at the early or transitional stages of their careers, especially when considering roles across building and civil engineering sectors or exploring opportunities internationally in countries such as Dubai, Canada or Australia.
What’s the Difference Between a Quantity Surveyor and an Estimator?At first glance, both Quantity Surveyors and Estimators are concerned with costs. They work with numbers, evaluate drawings and specifications, and aim to ensure that construction projects remain financially viable. However, their involvement in a project's lifecycle—and the purpose of their cost-related work—differs significantly.
An Estimator typically becomes involved in a project at its earliest stages. Their primary function is to assess how much a proposed construction project will cost to build. For Estimators, this can start at early concept stage and continue right through to detailed design and its related cost. Working closely with drawings, engineering inputs, supplier quotes, and internal pricing data, Estimators produce tender submissions that allow contractors to bid competitively for new work. Their role is intensely focused on the pre-contract stage. They must calculate quantities, assess site logistics, and forecast labour, materials, plant, and risk contingencies, all while ensuring the company’s bid is competitive yet profitable. The pressure to be accurate, strategic, and fast-moving is high, particularly on major infrastructure bids that run into the hundreds of millions of dollars or pounds.
A Quantity Surveyor’s responsibilities typically begin either at the early cost planning stages or once a contract is awarded, depending on whether they work on the client or contractor side. Quantity Surveyors are deeply involved in the ongoing commercial management of a project. They prepare cost plans, manage budgets, analyse and process variations, issue payment valuations, and work to control or recover costs throughout the build. Their role can continue all the way through to the construction project final account. Typically speaking, while Estimators price the job to win it, Quantity Surveyors try to ensure it is built within the agreed budget—or that changes are commercially managed when it’s not.
The day-to-day experience of working in either role can differ substantially. Estimators often work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, preparing multiple tenders across varying scopes. They liaise closely with subcontractors, engineers, and project managers to understand how design and logistics impact cost. In some ways, their role concludes when the project is won. Quantity Surveyors, on the other hand, live with the project. They work with site teams, engineers, and clients to monitor costs, manage risks, and resolve disputes that arise during construction. They’re more involved in contractual negotiations, claims, and ensuring compliance with commercial agreements.
Internationally, the distinctions between the roles can vary depending on market conventions and terminology. In the UK, the term "Quantity Surveyor" is widely used and refers to a well-established professional path governed by institutions like RICS. In Canada, the role of the Quantity Surveyor exists but sometimes blends into that of Estimating, especially in contractor organisations, where Estimators may be expected to carry out post-contract functions as well. A good example is a current vacancy (June 2025) being advertised by Maxim Recruitment for an Intermediate Construction Estimator in Vancouver. This position involves not just preparing cost estimates but also engaging with clients and internal teams throughout the life of a project—highlighting how in practice, the lines between Estimating and Quantity Surveying can sometimes blur, especially in civil engineering. This is a particularly dynamic example of an Estimating role and is open to both Canadian and international candidates with relevant experience to apply for
Career progression also offers a useful way to think about the difference between the two roles. A career in Estimating often involves moving from Junior or Intermediate Estimator to Senior Estimator and eventually to Estimating Manager or Pre-Construction Director roles. These positions remain largely focused on bid preparation and tender strategy, with increasing responsibility for larger bids and strategic client interactions. Quantity Surveyors, by contrast, can evolve into Commercial Managers, Claims Consultants, or Directors, often managing multiple projects’ finances simultaneously or specialising in contract administration and dispute resolution. The qualification route can also differ: aspiring Quantity Surveyors often pursue MRICS or other chartered status, whereas Estimators may focus more on technical proficiency and software expertise.
For professionals trying to decide which path to follow, the choice often comes down to temperament and preference. Those who enjoy high-pressure deadlines, detailed technical assessments, and competitive strategy may find Estimating rewarding. Those who prefer ongoing involvement in a project, contractual negotiation, and managing financial outcomes over time may be better suited to Quantity Surveying. Both offer excellent international mobility, strong earning potential, and vital roles on landmark construction and civil engineering projects.
In reality, many professionals will move between these roles during their careers, especially early on, before specialising. A strong understanding of estimating makes for a more effective Quantity Surveyor, just as knowledge of contracts and project execution can make an Estimator more commercially astute. At Maxim Recruitment, we regularly work with candidates and employers across the UK, Canada, and beyond to match people to the role that fits not just their experience, but also their long-term goals.
For those looking to shape a career in either path—or perhaps a hybrid of both—there’s never been a better time to explore your options. Whether you're pricing tenders on billion-dollar highways or managing the commercial delivery of mixed-use developments, the construction industry continues to offer rich and diverse career paths for Estimators and Quantity Surveyors alike.
Steve is responsible for Maxim Recruitment in the UK and Canada. He is based in the Maxim head office in Leicester, UK and the Toronto office in Canada. He regularly travels to meet employers and job seekers and attend construction industry networking events in the UK, Canada and worldwide. Steve has over 25 years of experience in construction and property recruitment and enjoys working with many repeat clients. He manages dedicated search and headhunting assignments for a range of premium UK, Canadian and international clients.