A Career as a Surveyor is A Hidden Opportunity Just Waiting For You!

Consider yourself a bit of an analytical thinker, but don’t see yourself sitting behind a desk all day? It can be hard to think of the perfect job that combines the two skills, as most jobs that get your out and about and moving around are in sports, child care or the arts. But if you’re still looking for that perfect job, why not consider a future as a residential or building surveyor?

When we think about careers in construction or real estate, we think of agents or tradesman, but these hidden heroes are the ones that get the ball rolling.

To help explain what a surveyor does and why it mifht suit you, we’ve ased Stephen, a graduate of the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation with Sava to shed some light on what lead him to a career in Surveying.

I was thinking of embarking on a new career to bring more fulfilment and satisfaction, but ultimately was not sure what path to go down. Over the following weeks, I did many hours of research into the industry and felt a career in Residential Surveying would be right for me. Nearly 3 years on from that decision and I haven’t looked back!

– Stephen, graduate of the Diploma of Residential Surveying and Valuation

A residential surveyor is involved with the planning, valuation and management of residential properties. As a surveyor, you’ll advise potential buyers on whether a building they’re interested in meets regulations or is in need of repairs. They act as consultants in a lot of cases for real estate agencies in the UK, as well as advisors on construction sites for any infrastructure projects. One of the best aspects of surveying is the ability to work in offices, visit sites and travel to meet with clients. In this career, you can expect constant change, challenge and the ability to exercise your critical thinking and analytical skills.

In the UK, there’s also plenty of surveying firms that operate to provide these services to buyers, investors and companies across the country. It’s a very versatile sector, with professional surveyors working on a freelance basis, as consultants, in firms or as part of a real estate agency.

A Residential Surveyor is not just an enjoyable career path; it’s also in high demand in the UK. Here’s just some of the reasons why you should consider it today:

There are a few ways you can become a Surveyor, with one of the most direct routes being a RICS approved course. One of the most common options is an Undergraduate Degree, which can take up to five years to complete. If you don’t have the time of the commitment to return to University, one of the most valuable ways to become a surveyor in the UK is the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation.

This course is approved for direct entry into the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The Diploma can fast-track your learning and get you into the workplace with the skills and confidence you need to succeed in no time. As a vocational course, this will provide you with the hands-on skills and experience you need to excel in a career

Residential surveyors engage in many tasks throughout their day and are always on the move. Some of the main responsibilities of a surveyor in the UK include:

There are over 80,000 surveying professionals registered with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in the UK, most of which are employed in England. Chartered surveyors and members of RICS earn 15% more on average than non-members.

Not only can a career as a surveyor allow you to work in an ever-changing landscape; but it can also open the doors into so many areas that are currently booming in the UK.

According to RICS, only 20% of members work within property surveying; with areas of infrastructure, land and commercial surveying contributing to the other 80,000+ member surveying professionals. With house prices rising by 18% in the next five years and the UK in need of 300,000 new homes per year to keep up with demand; the need for surveyors is ever-present.