Building Surveyor

by Staff Reporter
by Staff Reporter
If you have an interest in measuring and analysing land as well as working outdoors, a career as a Building Surveyor could be for you.

Career Overview

Building Surveyors are generally involved in the construction process of buildings, from the initial stages all the way to the renovation stages which take place later on. Part of their job includes conducting inspections, tracking progress on sites, managing and procuring project goals when and as needed.

Building Surveyors spend a lot of time communicating information both written and verbally. They need to have excellent leadership skills, which gets executed on a regular basis.

Required School Subjects

You will need to have taken the following subjects at high school:

  • English
  • Pure Mathematics

Recommended subjects:

  • Physical Sciences (this is recommended at some universities and compulsary at others)
  • Accounting

Institution and APS

The following institutions are highly recommended for studies in Building Surveying:

  • Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) – APS of 25
  • University of Johannesburg (UJ) – APS of 20

** Qualification can be obtained from a Private OR Public College as well. 

Required Qualification/s

A National Diploma or similar qualification is accepted for employment. However, experience is what sets you apart in this field.

Required Skills

You will need to have the following skills to succeed as a Building Surveryor:

  • Fast worker with accuracy
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Reliable and Responsible
  • Organised
  • Methodical
  • Able to work under pressure

Where you can work

As a Building Surveyor, you could work in any of the following environments:

  • Building Contractors
  • Property Developers
  • Government Departments
  • Mining Houses
  • Construction Companies
  • Financial and Insurance Institutions

Working Hours

Working hours vary depending on the project a hand. Standard hours generally total 37 hours a week, with more being required to meet deadlines and targets.

Expected Salary

Currently, Building Surveyors in South Africa earn between R 25 000 to R 740 000 per annum, with the average salary being R 350 000. Factors such as experience and level of qualification contribute to the structure of the salary.

What to expect

Here are a few things you can expect from a career as a Building Surveryor:

  • The field offers a variety of work, which aids surveyors in being versatile
  • The career often requires travel and this could be nationally or internationally depending on the organisation of employment
  • The job does come with a certain amount of pressure, which is usually to do with time constraints

Related Articles

Recommended Courses

Introduction to a Bachelor of Science
How to Build a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Similar Careers

Quantity Surveyor

Construction Project Manager

This is the general bio for our Staff Reporters, a team of awesome journalists who build our amazing content. If you see an article's author as Staff Reporter, you know it's one of our trusty staff who've written this up.