Commercial/residential surveyor

As a commercial or residential surveyor, you may deal with commercial or residential properties in the private or public sector. Your main responsibilities typically include the management, purchase, sale or leasing of land and property and valuing and surveying property.

You may act as an agent, broker or auctioneer during property sales and carry out contract negotiations between landlords and tenants.

Commercial surveyors help businesses, such as offices, retail outlets, warehouses and distribution centres, maximise their investments.

Residential surveyors help homebuyers with mortgage valuations and HomeBuyer reports. They may also manage residential property portfolios and provide advice on property investment and development.

Types of commercial/residential surveyor

As well as specialising in either commercial or residential property, you'll usually choose to focus on one of the following areas:

• consultancy
• development
• investment
• management
• planning.

What does a commercial or residential surveyor do?

Your duties will depend on whether you're a commercial or residential surveyor and which area you specialise in, but you may need to:

• value properties by applying expert knowledge and awareness of the local property market
• take accurate measurements of sites and premises
• assess the impact of a major development in terms of economic viability and environmental impact
• purchase land and secure funding
• visit sites at all stages of development, from greenfield sites to completed buildings
• write detailed property reports for purposes such as rent reviews, investment potential, mortgage valuations, marketability and building surveys
• negotiate confidently, both verbally and in writing, on issues such as rents and contracts
• buy and sell properties and sites on behalf of clients
• apply relevant property law in landlord and tenant negotiations and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
• assess properties for business rates, capital taxation, acquisitions and disposals
• manage large property portfolios and advise clients on the purchase and sale of investments (if you specialise in investment)
• manage properties on behalf of landlords, including ensuring tenancy compliance, collecting rent and arranging maintenance and repairs (if you specialise in management)
• work closely with professionals such as structural engineers, highways engineers, town planners and architects when considering new developments (if you specialise in development).

What salary does a surveyor earn?

• Typical starting salaries for a graduate or assistant surveyor range from £25,000 to £35,000. With relevant qualifications and experience, you can work towards Associate membership of RICS (AssocRICS).
• AssocRICS earn an average salary of around £45,000. Chartered surveyors (MRICS) typically earn between £45,000 and £70,000.
• Senior chartered surveyors and those in management or director-level positions can earn £70,000 to £100,000+, particularly in London and other high-demand property markets.

According to RICS, chartered surveyors earn significantly more than non-RICS qualified professionals.

Additional benefits may include bonuses, car allowances, private healthcare and long-term incentive plans (LTIPs).

For more information about salaries and trends in the real estate sector, see the Macdonald & Company Salary, Rewards and Sentiments Report 2025.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours do surveyors work?

A typical working week is usually around 35 to 40 hours. However, if you work in the private sector, you may occasionally need to work extra hours to meet deadlines, attend client meetings or network with other professionals. Working patterns can vary depending on the employer and area of surveying you work in.

In the public sector, working hours are often more regular and may include flexible working arrangements such as flexitime or hybrid working.

Some surveyors may need to travel to inspect properties and sites, which can involve spending time away from the office during the working day.

Career breaks are possible, although it's important to keep up to date with changes in property law, regulations and the housing and commercial property markets.

What qualifications do you need to work in commercial or residential surveying?

There are several ways to become a commercial or residential surveyor. One of the most common routes is to take a RICS-accredited undergraduate degree.

A building surveying degree is the most directly relevant, but RICS accreditation is also available in subjects such as:

• building construction management
• construction management
• estate management
• facilities management
• quantity surveying.

Another option is to take a RICS-accredited postgraduate qualification if your undergraduate degree is in a different subject. Some employers may support you to study while working and help with course fees.

You can search for accredited undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the RICS course directory.

After completing an accredited degree, you can apply for graduate or trainee surveyor roles and begin working towards chartered status through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

It's also possible to enter the profession without a degree. Some employers accept candidates with relevant vocational qualifications, such as an HNC, HND, BTEC or foundation degree, together with relevant work experience.

Surveying apprenticeships are another route into the profession and allow you to earn while you train. Apprenticeships are available at different levels, including degree apprenticeships. For more information, see:

• RICS Surveying Apprenticeships
• UBE (University of the Built Environment)
• Find an apprenticeship.

After gaining experience and completing the APC, you can apply for chartered membership of RICS (MRICS). Associate members (AssocRICS) can also progress to full chartered status through further experience and assessment.

What skills does a surveyor need?

Working in commercial or residential surveying, you'll need:

• strong written and verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your own initiative and make decisions confidently
• excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• the ability to work well as part of a team
• strong numeracy and analytical skills
• good attention to detail
• the ability to stay calm and work effectively under pressure.

Surveying work experience

Work experience is highly valued by employers, so it's important to gain some experience of the property or construction industry.

Relevant experience could include working for an estate agency, property management company or surveying firm, or gaining experience on a construction site to develop your understanding of how buildings are designed and built.

You could also look for internships, work shadowing, insight days or summer placements with surveying or real estate employers. Any experience that helps you develop commercial awareness and an understanding of the property sector will be useful.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who do surveyors work for?

Surveyors work for a range of organisations across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Employers include both large national companies and smaller regional firms. Smaller employers are often open to speculative applications, while public sector organisations usually advertise vacancies formally.

Many large surveying and property firms run graduate schemes, with applications often opening in the autumn of your final year at university.

Employers in the commercial property sector include:

• surveying and real estate consultancies
• property developers and housebuilding companies
• construction companies
• banks, pension funds and insurance companies
• corporate organisations with large property portfolios, such as retailers, transport companies and utilities.

In the public sector, surveyors may work for:

• local authorities
• government agencies
• universities and colleges
• NHS trusts
• central government departments.

In the voluntary sector, surveyors are employed by organisations such as housing associations and charities involved in property and regeneration projects.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which is responsible for business rates and council tax valuations, recruits graduate surveyors through its annual graduate programme and also offers surveying apprenticeships.

Residential surveyors commonly work for estate agencies, specialist surveying firms, property management companies and independent practices. Some surveyors choose to become self-employed or work as consultants later in their careers.

Look for job vacancies at:

• EG Jobs
• Jobs.ac.uk - for vacancies in universities
• Property Week 4 Jobs
• RICS Recruit

Speculative approaches are worth trying. RICS Find a Surveyor is a useful site for contact details.

Specialist recruitment agencies include:

• AndersElite
• Macdonald & Company

Professional development and career prospects

After securing a trainee or graduate surveyor role, you can work towards chartered status through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). To become chartered (MRICS), you'll usually complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), which involves workplace training, professional development records and an assessment interview. Achieving chartered status can improve your career progression and earning potential.

RICS members are expected to complete continuing professional development (CPD) each year to keep their skills and industry knowledge up to date.

Most surveyors specialise in either commercial or residential property and usually remain within that area throughout their career. With experience, you may move between employers to broaden your expertise or progress into senior, associate or partner-level roles, particularly in large private firms.

Surveyors in the public sector may move between organisations such as local authorities, universities, NHS trusts and government departments. With significant experience, some surveyors become self-employed consultants or set up their own surveying practice.