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Building Surveyor
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Building surveyors provide detailed advice on the design, construction, maintenance, management or repair of proposed or existing buildings. They look for defects in, or ways to improve, all types in existing buildings, and also advise on the feasibility and possible costs of repair to the building, of conversion and the suitability of the building for particular purposes.

Clients might include prospective purchasers, vendors, building societies and property owners. The work could involve drawing up detailed plans, advising on government or health and safety regulations and on whether a grant might be available for the work. Building surveyors could also be involved with instructing an architect to prepare detailed plans and with obtaining estimates for carrying out the work.

Entry level

In order to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building, you would need an accredited degree (or equivalent), together with a minimum of two years training whilst you are employed. Degree courses in surveying normally ask for a minimum of two A level/Advanced Higher/three Higher or equivalent qualifications, together with least four or five GCSE/S Grade passes at A-C/1-3, often specifying English and maths.

Your on-the-job training must normally be approved before you start. There are full-time degree courses, which take three years to complete. There are also sandwich courses, which include a year of practical work experience that can count towards the required two years training.

If you want to 'earn whilst you learn' there are part-time degree courses available, which you take whilst you are employed. In addition, there are some accredited distance learning degree or diploma correspondence courses, which can be taken whilst you work, and relevant postgraduate courses.

Making the grade

On completion of a RICS accredited degree or diploma, you must gain further practical experience before becoming fully qualified. This involves a minimum of two years of structured learning, in employment, leading to a RICS professional assessment interview - known as the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Successful completion of the APC entitles you to use the letters MRICS.

In addition to RICS, other bodies awarding relevant qualifications include the Association of Building Engineers, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation, the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute. Some surveyors are members of more than one institution.

Continuing professional development, which may include gaining additional qualifications, is important in this profession.

Most large organisations have a formal promotion structure, and surveyors can progress to senior management. In small organisations, it may be necessary to move to another employer for promotion or to gain wider experience.

Self-employment is quite common. You could work from home or join a private practice as a partner.

Personal qualities

As a building surveyor, you should be a practical problem solver with a logical mind, good spoken and written communication skills, and careful attention to detail.

You would need good IT and business skills, and you should be able to co-ordinate a number of different projects at the same time.