Is It Too Late To Become A Quantity Surveyor?

Is it too late to become a Quantity Surveyor? The simple answer is no—and in fact, now might be one of the best times to enter the profession. In this blog, we’ll explore why many people are considering a career change into quantity surveying and examine the data to see whether the QS labour market remains strong.

Why People Are Changing Careers into Quantity Surveying

A recent RICS article highlighted that we are living longer and, as a result, working much later into our lives. For someone in their mid-30s, there could be another 40+ years of work ahead, making a career switch not only possible but practical.

Quantity Surveyors are currently in high demand across the construction industry, but what does the data actually show?

The Workforce Shortage in Quantity Surveying

In 2019, a cross-industry research report was published covering workforce shortages across the construction sector. The findings, based on 276 companies employing over 160,000 workers, ranked quantity surveying as the third most severe occupational shortage.

This shortage is driven by several factors, with two of the most significant being:

• An ageing demographic – Many experienced Quantity Surveyors are reaching retirement age, creating a void.
• Reduced migrant workforce – Between 1998 and 2016, foreign-born employment in construction rose from 4.1% to 12%, equating to around 252,000 workers. With Brexit reducing EU migration, this void is only expected to grow further.

It’s important to note that the 2019 report was published before Brexit’s full effects were felt—meaning the current shortage is likely even greater today.

What About Future Work?

Some might argue that a drop in construction output could reduce the demand for Quantity Surveyors. However, the data tells a different story.

Between 2014 and 2019, UK construction output grew by 16%, reflecting strong demand across the sector. While these figures pre-date the coronavirus pandemic, they highlight two ongoing drivers of growth:

• The UK’s housing shortage, which continues to fuel residential construction.
• Increased spending on infrastructure projects, such as HS2 and other large-scale investments.

Both factors suggest that demand for Quantity Surveyors will remain strong throughout the next decade.

Conclusion

So, is it too late to become a Quantity Surveyor? Absolutely not. With a growing skills shortage, ageing workforce, and continued construction demand, there has arguably never been a better time to join the profession.

If you’re considering a career change, Quantity Surveying offers long-term stability, career progression, and the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most exciting projects.

Why not check out our YouTube video on this subject to learn more?

References:

1. https://www.ricsrecruit.com/article/is-it-too-late-to-become-a-quantity-surveyor-/
2. https://policy.ciob.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Shortage-Occupations-in-Construction-A-cross-industry-research-report-January-2019.pdf
3. https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/datasets/outputintheconstructionindustry