Why You Should Become a Chartered Surveyor

Posted by deverellsmith on 31st October 2019 -

Before you consider whether you should become a chartered surveyor, read our guide and overview on the benefits of becoming RICS accredited. Our latest research has found that RICS qualified professionals earn on average 23% more than the property industry average.

Besides offering a lucrative career, qualifying as a chartered surveyor can not only give you a competitive advantage in the employment market but open many opportunities to long-term career paths across a global property industry. Qualified surveyors specialise in a chosen specialism depending on individual skill sets, within property these include:

Quantity Surveyor

Often associated with construction and building projects from new housing developments to city skyscrapers, Quantity Surveyors oversee building projects, estimating costs of labour, materials and contingency. They work alongside the architects and engineers to ensure the projects are delivered on budget and in time.

General Practice Surveyor

Normally associated with valuation, yet the roles of these surveyors can be vast. From valuation of single residential dwellings to national portfolios of commercial and residential buildings. Valuers need to have an adept attention to detail. Individuals with a flair for sales and marketing can opt to work in investment or agency, selling, marketing and leasing commercial property to banks, funds, institution and private investors. Others with strong negotiation and communication skills act as consultants, negotiating between landlords and tenants on leases and building rates.

Building Surveyor

Building Surveyors advise on construction and planning for land and development schemes ranging from individual home owners to large commercial city centre construction schemes. These types of surveyors need to have strong analytical and problem solving skills as well as communication skills.

Qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor takes dedication and at least a few years of focused study and training. The rewards however can soon justify the commitment required:

1. Network

Qualifying means you become a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, which gives you immediate access to 118,000 global professionals. These connections give you unprecedented access to local and global career and business development opportunities.

2. Increased Earnings

As we have found Chartered Surveyors earn on average 23% more than the property industry average. On completing the APC, newly qualified surveyors can expect to see a pay raise between 6% to 15% in their first year.

3. Competitive Advantage

In the majority of lower to mid level roles, property employers will invariably always favour a RICS qualified candidate to those with just relevant work experience. This is because MRICS not only stands for relevant experience but a certified high level of technical training and ethics. This promotes confidence and aptitude and will almost always enable a foot in the door if competing for a role with non accredited candidates.

4. Continual Learning and Development

Training and development does not stop after your APC. Chartered Surveyors are offered Continual Professional Development (CPD) through a range of talks, seminars and courses to help maintain and development professional and technical skills.