Careers

In a nutshell

Building control surveyors play a vital role in making buildings safe to live and work in. Their job involves making sure that government regulations on public health, safety, energy, conservation and access for the disabled are in place. Building control surveyors usually work for local authorities and spend time visiting buildings in the area.

In depth

The work involves:

• working outdoors, on-site, carrying out inspections of foundations, drainage and other major building elements
• working indoors, checking plans and keeping records of how each project is progressing
• issuing completion certificates when projects are finished
• carrying out surveys of potentially dangerous buildings, for example, after accidents or severe weather
• meetings with architects and engineers at the design stage
• ensuring new buildings are 'green' - constructed to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

The people

Building control surveyors have a broad knowledge of the technical and legal aspects of building. They are organised and self-motivated and are good at communicating with building owners, designers and engineers.

Qualifications required

The minimum entry standards to become a building control surveyor are five GCSE passes or standard grades at grade 3 or above, including mathematics, a science and a subject demonstrating use of English. Nongraduate entrants normally obtain an HND or HNC in building studies, followed by professional examinations set by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Graduates with construction-related degrees can be recruited without having taken a certificate in building studies. They will then be trained on the job, passing professional examinations.

Getting professional

Building control is now one of the faculties in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). To become a student member see the website.