If you’ve studied (or are currently studying) construction management or quantity surveying, you may have noticed a lot of overlap in the modules. This often sparks questions like:
- Do QSs and construction managers do the same thing?
- Could I switch from one role to the other?
- Is there a difference in salary?
In this article, we’ll explore the roles of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) and a Construction Manager (CM), highlight their day-to-day responsibilities, compare salaries, and help you better understand which path might suit you.
What Does a Quantity Surveyor Do?
A Quantity Surveyor is a construction professional focused on cost, procurement, and contracts.
Simply put: the main reason a company hires a QS is to ensure the cost of a project is accurately managed.
Day-to-Day Tasks of a Quantity Surveyor
- Estimating or forecasting costs of labour, plant, and materials
- Preparing tender documents, contracts, budgets, and bills of quantities
- Tracking design or work changes and adjusting budgets accordingly
- Procuring contractors and subcontractors
- Measuring and valuing work completed on site
- Issuing payments to subcontractors
- Liaising with clients, site managers, project managers, and engineers
- Selecting and sourcing construction materials
What Does a Construction Manager Do?
A Construction Manager (sometimes called a project manager or site manager) is responsible for programme, safety, and planning.
In other words, companies hire CMs to oversee a project on site and ensure it is delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
Day-to-Day Tasks of a Construction Manager
- Planning and coordinating a project from start to finish
- Hiring and managing staff
- Supervising the labour force, subcontractors, and quality control
- Setting benchmarks, agreeing budgets, and monitoring progress
- Checking design documents with architects, surveyors, and engineers
- Carrying out health and safety inspections
- Communicating regularly with clients and stakeholders
- Coordinating with consultants, subcontractors, QSs, and planners
- Solving unexpected problems during the project
Key Differences Between QS and Construction Manager
The biggest difference comes down to focus:
- Quantity Surveyor → Cost and value of a project
- Construction Manager → Programme, safety, and delivery of a project
While they work closely together, their expertise lies in different areas.
Salary Comparison
Money matters, so let’s look at the figures.
- Experienced Construction Manager: ~£50,000 per year
- Experienced Quantity Surveyor: ~£40,000 per year
- Assistant Construction Manager: ~£32,000
- Assistant Quantity Surveyor: ~£28,000
As with most careers, salaries vary depending on location, sector, and level of experience, but this gives a useful benchmark.
Which Career Should You Choose?
Both careers play vital roles in construction, and both offer solid career progression.
- If you enjoy numbers, contracts, and cost control, quantity surveying may be your best fit.
- If you thrive in planning, people management, and site-based roles, construction management could be the right choice.
Ultimately, your decision comes down to whether you prefer managing costs or managing construction.
Final Thoughts
Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers often study similar modules and work side by side on projects, but their core responsibilities differ. QSs ensure the money is right; CMs ensure the build is right.
Hopefully, this article has given you a clearer picture of both careers so you can make an informed decision about your future in construction.
Why not watch our YouTube video on this subject or visit us at metroun.co.uk.
