A Surveyor provides expert advice on land, property, and construction by conducting inspections, assessments, and valuations. Their work can include structural analysis, environmental impact, legal compliance, and project management across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. There are over 100 types of Surveyor, and their work aligns closely with construction, infrastructure, and real estate. A Chartered Surveyor is a Surveyor who is globally recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). They consistently demonstrate a high levels of knowledge, skills and behaviours, which are recognised by the formal RICS accreditation.
The information in our job profiles aims to give a general overview of the role and a guideline to what it involves. The content is not intended to be exhaustive and roles will vary depending on the organisation and sector. The salary ranges are a guide only, as these are dependent on the size and location of the organisation.
Entry level range
£26 – £34k
Mid-career / management range
£35k – £60k
Senior leadership
£70k+
How does this role align to the green agenda?
The role of a Chartered Surveyor is shifting from traditional valuation and property management to climate risk mitigation, sustainable investment, and digital innovation. This evolution is being driven by regulation, technology, and green finance, meaning that future surveyors will need strong sustainability knowledge, digital skills, and strategic advisory capabilities.
The UK government’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy requires developers to leave nature in a measurably better state, increasing demand for Surveyors with environmental expertise. Retrofit programmes and funding for energy efficiency improvements (e.g., heat pumps, insulation) will need specialists in sustainable property assessment.
Technological advancements and digital transformation will impact surveying, which will increasingly utilise AI, drones, and digital twins. Furthermore, stronger ESG policies mean Chartered Surveyors will increasingly be responsible for ensuring compliance in areas such as buildings with poor energy performance, climate risk reporting obligations and nature-positive investments.
The profession spans multiple disciplines, each contributing to environmental solutions in a different way:
- Sustainable construction and retrofitting: Chartered Surveyors promote the use of low-carbon materials. They advocate for energy-efficient buildings through retrofitting and compliance with net-zero standards. They ensure buildings meet BREEAM, LEED, or Passivhaus sustainability certifications.
- Land management and biodiversity enhancement: Chartered Surveyors advise on rewilding projects and nature-based solutions (e.g., wetlands restoration, carbon sequestration). They support biodiversity net gain through developments that compensate for habitat loss. They manage green spaces and urban planning to integrate wildlife corridors and sustainable drainage systems.
- Carbon accounting and ESG compliance: By reducing embodied carbon in real estate and infrastructure, Chartered Surveyors support clients to achieve carbon neutrality and meet ESG targets.
- Flood and climate resilience planning: Chartered Surveyors assess risks related to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme weather events. They implement sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to reduce urban flooding and advise on climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster recovery planning.
- Sustainable land and property investment: Encouraging investment in green buildings and renewable energy projects, Chartered Surveyors also advise clients on the financial risks of climate change. They support carbon offset projects like afforestation and regenerative agriculture.
- Ethical land use and social impact: Balancing economic development with environmental protection, Chartered Surveyors engage communities in sustainable urban development and placemaking, ensuring projects support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Skills and capabilities
A Chartered Surveyor needs a strong set of transferable and employability skills that are valuable across multiple industries.
Technical knowledge
A blend of legal, technical, and digital expertise allows Chartered Surveyors to navigate the complexities of the built environment while adapting to emerging industry trends.
- A Chartered Surveyor’s foundational technical knowledge will cover various disciplines, depending on their specialism. Key expertise includes property valuation methods, land and building measurement techniques, and construction technology.
- An understanding of planning law, property law, and building regulations is essential for compliance with national and international standards. Surveyors must also be proficient in contract administration to manage construction projects effectively.
- Sustainability and environmental impact assessments are becoming increasingly important, requiring knowledge of carbon accounting, biodiversity net gain (BNG), and energy efficiency standards like BREEAM and Passivhaus.
- Surveyors also require digital literacy, as technologies like AI, drones, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping gain traction in the profession. Surveyors use GIS, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and digital twins to support data-driven decision-making. AI and data skills will be essential for future surveyors to analyse environmental and market trends effectively.
Transferable skills
- Analytical thinking and problem reframing, and resolution skills are essential for assessing property values, managing land use, and mitigating environmental risks.
- Effective communication and negotiation, and conflict resolution skills enable surveyors to engage effectively with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
- Strong project management and organisational skills are crucial for overseeing developments, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with legal and sustainability standards.
- Attention to detail and critical thinking help with risk assessment, contract negotiation, and ensuring developments meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
- Collaborating and leadership skills are essential for working alongside architects, engineers, and policymakers on large-scale projects.
A day in the life
Typical duties and responsibilities include:
- Inspecting buildings to identify structural issues.
- Assessing the value of properties and other types of assets.
- Giving professional guidance on environmental concerns and construction matters.
- Gathering measurements and data on specific land areas, including details about boundaries, structures, and both natural and artificial features.
- Producing precise reports on the possible effects of development or engineering projects.
- Ensuring the financial status of construction projects is accurately documented and efficiently managed.
- Overseeing contractual agreements between the different parties involved in a construction project.
Depending on a Chartered Surveyor’s specialisation, a typical day involves a mix of site visits, client meetings, report writing, and data analysis. The day might start with a visit to a construction site or a property inspection, where the surveyor assesses structural integrity, compliance with regulations, or environmental impact. Back at the office or remotely, they might analyse valuation data, market trends, or sustainability factors before preparing detailed reports for clients. Throughout the day, they engage in meetings with developers, investors, or government bodies, advising on land use, project feasibility, or risk management.
A Chartered Surveyor working in commercial real estate may spend time negotiating leases, conducting property valuations, or advising on investments, while those in construction or infrastructure oversee contracts and project progress. Many Surveyors also dedicate time to professional development, staying updated on industry regulations, new technologies like GIS and BIM, and sustainability requirements such as net-zero targets and biodiversity net gain. The role offers a dynamic balance of fieldwork, technical analysis, and strategic decision-making.
Entry routes
There are multiple entry routes into Chartered Surveying, including vocational and academic pathways, across the UK’s devolved nations.
Potential career progression
A career as a Chartered Surveyor offers excellent progression opportunities, with pathways leading to senior roles, specialisations, and even self-employment. This flexibility and variety make surveying a dynamic career with long-term opportunities for growth and diversification.
Advancing to positions such as Senior Surveyor, Associate Director, or Director within their firm, taking on greater responsibility for project management, client relations, and business strategy.
Specialising in areas like real estate investment, construction project management, sustainability, or dispute resolution can open doors to high-level advisory roles.
Some Surveyors choose to become independent consultants or set up their own firms, offering expertise in property valuation, development, or compliance.
With experience, Chartered Surveyors can also become RICS assessors, mentors, or industry thought leaders, shaping the profession for future generations.
Skills such as risk management, financial analysis, and contract negotiation are highly transferable, allowing for career shifts into property development, asset management, urban planning, or corporate real estate. Others move into policy roles, academia, or sustainability consultancy, influencing industry standards and regulations.
Relevant sectors
A Chartered Surveyor can work across multiple sectors, particularly those related to land, property, and infrastructure.
These include:
- Construction and built environment – Surveyors play a key role in project management, cost control, and compliance.
- Consultancy – working in property, environmental, or infrastructure consultancy, providing expert advice to clients.
- Education – helping to manage university estates, school buildings, and campus development projects.
- Energy – involved in sustainable building practices, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency assessments.
- Engineering – working closely with engineers on infrastructure projects, geospatial surveying, and land assessments.
- Extractives – important for land valuation, mineral rights, and site restoration in mining and quarrying.
- Financial services – working in property investment, development finance, and real estate asset management.
- Infrastructure – involved in transport networks, utilities, and major public works projects.
- Professional services – Chartered Surveyors provide valuations, lease negotiations, and property advisory services.
- Public sector – employed by local authorities, government agencies, and housing associations to manage public assets.
- Real estate – core sector for surveyors, covering residential, commercial, and industrial property valuation, management, and development.
- Resource and waste management – overseeing land reclamation, brownfield site redevelopment, and sustainable waste disposal.
- Technology and digital – increasing demand for surveyors skilled in GIS, BIM, digital twins, and drone surveying.
- Transport and logistics – involved in land acquisition, planning, and construction of roads, rail, and ports.
Learn about the green agenda across different sectors
Information kindly supplied by:
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
RICS is a global professional body that sets and upholds standards for land, property, construction, and infrastructure. Founded in 1868, RICS provides professional accreditation, ensuring that Chartered Surveyors meet high ethical and technical standards.
