Building Control Surveyor

Also known as - Building control officer.

A building control surveyor ensures that building regulations are followed on new build sites and projects. They may also be required to survey damaged or unstable structures to determine whether they can be repaired safely or need to be demolished.

Office
Health and Safety
Surveying-Planning
Working with people

What does a building control surveyor do?

As a building control surveyor, you’ll be responsible for assisting with the planning and construction of various structures.

The job role of a building control surveyor may involve the following duties:

Assisting during the planning and construction phases of a variety of construction projects, from small house extensions to major city developments
Responding to emergency calls to check buildings which have been damaged by fire or bad weather
Inspecting unsafe buildings and recommending whether they can be repaired or should be demolished
Working closely with construction workers on planning proposals
Carrying out inspections on site at each stage of the building process
Keeping records and issuing completion certificates
Suggesting ways to improve the energy use of buildings
Starting legal proceedings should work not be in line with regulations.

How to become a building control surveyor

There are several routes to becoming a building control surveyor. You could complete a university or college course, an apprenticeship, or apply to an employer directly.

You should explore these routes to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

To become a building control surveyor, you could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), or an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject.

Your course would need to be accredited by a professional body, either The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

College

You could complete a college course which could help you apply for a trainee position as a building control surveyor.

Apprenticeship

You could complete a building control surveyor degree apprenticeship to become a building control surveyor.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you’ll be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you have similar experience from another job in construction such as quantity surveying or site management experience, you could apply directly to a company specialising in building control, or a local authority, to gain onsite experience as a building control surveyor. You might start out as an assistant to a more experienced building control surveyor and progress as your abilities improve.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a building control surveyor. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a building control surveyor include:

Knowledge of building and construction
Good attention to detail
Customer service skills
Ability to use your initiative
Analytical thinking skills
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Full driving licence.

Qualifications

England

To become a Building Control Surveyor, you could complete a:

Level 6 Building Control Surveyor (Integrated Degree)

Scotland

To become a Building Control Surveyor, you could complete a:

There are several different levels of course at SCQF Level 6 – Level 11 in Building Standards
There is also a Technical Apprenticeship Level 9 in Built Environment Design & Contracting

Wales

To become a Building Control Surveyor, you could complete a:

There are several different levels of courses at Level 3, 4, 5 and 6 to progress through to become fully qualified in building control

How much could you earn as a building control surveyor?

The expected salary for a building control surveyor varies as you become more experienced.

Newly trained building control surveyors can earn from £25,000
Trained building control surveyors with experience can earn up to £60,000*
Self-employed building control surveyors set their own pay rates.

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed and industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

As a building control surveyor, you could specialise in a particular area such as fire safety, or alternatively move into a more technical role in other departments, such as town planning.

As a building control surveyor, there is potential to become chartered through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and earn a higher salary.

You could also set up as a self-employed consultant.