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How much does it cost to hire a quantity surveyor?

timrhamlett

Looking for expert help with cost estimation and budgeting for your upcoming construction project? Or maybe you require support mapping out project timelines and conducting feasibility studies.


No matter the extent of your exact quantity surveyor needs or the scope of your project, quantity surveyors can play a vital role in the development of both commercial and residential buildings.


Naturally, these services come at a cost, but exactly how much does it cost to hire a quantity surveyor in the UK? If you’re considering hiring a quantity surveyor to help with your significant construction project, it’s important to have a clear understanding of potential charges.


To help you determine how much professional quantity surveying services might cost, we explain the typical quantity surveyor fees, alongside some of the various factors that can influence this figure, below.


How much does a quantity surveyor cost?


Unfortunately, there’s no set price for hiring a quantity surveyor in the UK – especially since the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) removed standard fee scales.

First and foremost, it’s important to bear in mind that the cost of a quantity surveyor will vary depending on a wide range of factors. This includes the specific needs and requirements of each constriction project as well as the payment options offered by each quantity surveyor.

While each option has its own benefits and areas to consider, the three key payment options for quantity surveyors include:


Fixed rate or lump sum fees


A fixed rate or lump sum payment agreement may be requested from a quantity surveyor if the scope of your construction project and all the required quantity surveying services are clear.


As long as there’s no additional work required above what was initially agreed, you’ll pay a fixed rate upon hiring the quantity surveyor. This type of payment method is therefore well-suited to uncomplicated construction projects with clearly defined needs.


Percentage fees


An alternative payment option to a lump sum is a percentage fee based on the cost of the construction project. This approach therefore allows for some flexibility if additional work is required or the scope of the project is substantially increased.


However, as the quantity surveyor’s fee is adjusted based on construction costs, prospective clients may believe there’s no incentive for the surveyor to actually do their job by keeping costs down and within budget.


To help avoid this potential conflict of interests, we suggest working with a RICS-regulated firm, like Kingsmead Consultants. This is because RICS-regulated firms must abide by certain standards, known as the RICS Rules of Conduct.


Within these rules, it states that RICS-regulated firms must “always act with integrity and avoid conflicts of interest and any actions or situations that are inconsistent with their professional obligations.”


Time charged fees


If the full scope and cost of your project is still unknown, then you may want to consider hiring a quantity surveyor on a time charged basis. This approach is typically better suited to projects that require a quantity surveyor to conduct a feasibility study or another one-off service.


While this method offers the client some flexibility to pay for the surveyor’s services as and when they’re needed, it also provides the least financial security. As a result, many clients that choose this approach will agree a fee cap with their quantity surveyor to help prevent over-expenditure.


What is the average fee for a quantity surveyor?


So, how much does a quantity surveyor cost on average? Ultimately, as no two construction projects are the same, it’s very difficult to accurately calculate the average quantity surveyor fee.


For example, according to information published by Local Quotes, the average fee for a quantity surveying job is £400. However, costs can be significantly higher than this and will naturally vary depending on both the client and the project’s requirements.


For a more accurate idea of how much a quantity surveyor is likely to cost, we suggest discussing your project with a quantity surveyor, learning more about their payment options, and requesting an estimated quote.


Give Kingsmead Consultants a call


Regardless of which stage of the construction project process you’re currently in, why not find out how our industry knowledge and extensive expertise can help? Reach out to our experienced quantity surveyors today to learn more!


To speak to one of our qualified quantity surveyors, simply give us a call on 01270 323 515! We also welcome email enquiries sent to info@kingsmeadconsultants.co.uk as well as queries sent in using our convenient online contact form.

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