Surveyors keep traffic flowing, water running and people moving. They shape our roads, bridges and tunnels, our skyscrapers, stations and stadiums. They work in mines and in fields, on cliffs and on beaches. They value the houses we live in and the places we work in. They create safer homes and happier communities. 

And they’re busy shaping our future too: helping to regenerate deprived areas and planning smart cities connected by the Internet of Things, while pioneering safer, more sustainable and more environmentally friendly building methods.

Surveyors work closely with a wide range of people: architects and engineers, bankers and ecologists, town planners and property developers. And they use the latest technologies: flying drones to map land and measure buildings, creating virtual reality models of buildings, and using Big Data to tackle global issues like climate change, migration and urbanisation.

There are more than 100 varied career roles across the surveying profession in three main sectors: construction and infrastructure; property; and land.

Construction and infrastructure careers

Making crucial decisions of what goes where and why, surveyors are involved in planning the construction of everything from skyscrapers to shopping centres and festivals to football stadiums. And the infrastructure that connects us relies on surveyors too: from our roads, bridges, and railways to our energy supplies and communication networks.

Surveying roles in construction and infrastructure

• Building surveyors help create and supervise everything from towering skyscrapers to simple home extensions.
• Project management surveyors run teams to deliver projects on time and on budget.
• Quantity surveyors assess the financial impact and profitability of construction projects.
• Building control surveyors design and manage the use of buildings to make sure they comply with laws and regulations.
• Infrastructure surveyors ensure the effective running and connecting of cities, including rail, road, broadband and electricity.

Property careers

Property surveyors work in housing, business property and even personal property, such as antiques and fine art. They buy and rent homes and offices, acquire land for property development and value everything from possessions to skyscrapers.

Surveying roles in property 

• Property surveyors value, sell, rent and manage all types of housing and businesses, from offices to shops and restaurants.
• Valuation surveyors analyse and measure the value of buildings or businesses: for example, how much is Google actually worth?
• Management consultancy surveyors maximise business performance by running operations, strategies and structures.
• Facilities management surveyors add value to businesses by creating vibrant, productive workplaces.

Land careers

From coastal erosion and flood defences to town and environmental planning, land surveyors play a huge role in how we live. And, with climate change and resource scarcity becoming ever-more important issues, land surveyors will have an even greater role in shaping the future.

Surveying roles in land 

• Geomatics surveyors map, analyse and interpret spatial data and information about the land, sea and buildings.
• Environmental surveyors manage the development and use of land to minimise the impact on the environment.
• Minerals and waste surveyors extract, mine, use and manage natural resources and then plan the disposal of related waste.
• Rural surveyors value and manage the use of land and buildings in the countryside.
• Planning and development surveyors help create the towns and cities of the future, ensuring happier, healthier communities.