NAME: Simon McGillivray
COMPANY/REGION: McCarthy & Stone, Scotland
JOB TITLE: Quantity Surveyor
DEPARTMENT: Construction / Commercial
WHAT DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT DO?
We control the monetary side of the individual projects. From sending out tender packs to deciding which of the most compliant tender suits for our requirements, and to ensure payment is made and costs are controlled once they are up and running.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
Deal with the day to day running of the jobs on a commercial basis. Sending out Tenders and controlling cost implications of the jobs. Reporting costs to management and having meeting on site.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
Varied tasks, good office working environment, good site teams, reasonable pay, office is close to home.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?
I didn’t really! I started as a Building Surveyor and kind off fell into Quantity Surveying
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DID YOU NEED TO GET THIS JOB?
I have got a BSc Hons 2:1 in Building Surveying
IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A GRADUATE OR TRAINEE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN YOUR WORK AREA?
I’d suggest to stick in at Uni and keep your head down in your career. Money isn’t everything although as a QS you generally get good money. If you like dealing with numbers this is a good career and you also get variation of work depending upon what site you get to run.You also have to be pretty thick skinned to deal with subcontractors, but through time you get into the swing of it all.