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Commercial, Estimating & Cost Planning

Commercial, estimating and cost planning bring together a group of closely related disciplines that manage the financial side of construction projects, but each plays a different role at different stages. At the earliest phase, cost planning is used by developers to shape a project’s budget before it is fully designed, helping them understand what drives cost, test design decisions. Estimating then builds on this by pricing the project in detail, calculating the cost of labour and materials to produce accurate forecasts and tender submissions. As the project moves forward, quantity surveying takes over the day-to-day financial management, measuring work, managing payments, and dealing with changes to keep costs under control. Together, these roles actively help deliver projects in a financially responsible way whilst staying profitable.

Role Purpose

Commercial

Quantity Surveying boils down to 5 key principles which include Procurement, Valuations, Variations, Contract Administration and Final Accounts.

Quantity Surveyors manage the commercial and contractual aspects once the project is live preparing tender documents, draft and oversee contracts (e.g. JCT, NEC) to protect the contractors interests, monitor the budgets to make sure the project stays on track financially and when the project comes to an end they conduct the final accounts to report on the costs and profits.

Quantity Surveying is one of the most sought-after roles we work on. Many companies highlight a shortage of QSs, driven by increasing demand across the industry combined with fewer people entering the profession.

The role is typically a mix of office and site-based work, and while starting salaries can be modest, there is a relatively fast route to strong earning potential. It does come with pressure, particularly with the responsibility of managing project costs, but it also offers a high level of involvement, progression, and long-term career opportunity.

Estimating

Estimating centres around figuring out what it will cost to build a project and what they should tender it for.

They review drawings and tender documents to calculate the cost of materials, labour and risk, often building this up from first principles or using subcontractor and supplier quotes.

Estimators are heavily involved in the tender process where they identify risks and opportunities and sometimes propose value engineering options to make it cheaper and strengthen the bid.

Estimating is one of the more accessible roles within white collar construction because you can build a successful career without a degree. It is office based and you will need to be detail focused and able to work under pressure especially when the tender deadline is looming.

Career Path

Careers in quantity surveying, estimating, and cost planning offer clear progression, but also a lot of flexibility to move into different areas of the industry depending on your strengths and interests.

In quantity surveying, progression is typically quite structured. You would start as an Assistant or Trainee QS, move into a Quantity Surveyor role, then Senior QS, before progressing into Commercial Manager or Commercial Director positions.

In estimating, the path usually starts as a Junior or Assistant Estimator, progressing to Estimator, then Senior or Managing Estimator. From there, one of the most common routes is into Pre-Construction Management, where you oversee the entire front-end process, managing bids, coordinating design input, leading tender strategies.

One of the key advantages across all of these is that they are not rigid career paths. It’s common for people to move between estimating and quantity surveying, or from either into broader roles like, pre-construction, or even project management.

Certifications for Professional Development
  • Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS)
  • CPD (Continuing Professional Development) - RICS, CIOB, and APM offer structured CPD programs for members to keep up with industry changes
    • Salary Expectations

    Commercial

    Trainee/Assistant Quantity Surveyor : £25,000 - £45,000

    Quantity Surveyor : £45,000 - £65,000

    Project Quantity Surveyor : £60,000 - £75,000

    Senior Quantity Surveyor : £70,000 - £95,000

    Commercial Manager: £90,000 - £120,000+

    Commercial Director : £125,000 - £150,000+

    Estimating

    Trainee/Assistant Estimator: £25,000 - £45,000

    Estimator : £50,000 - £75,000

    Senior Estimator : £75,000 - £110,000

    Managing Estimator/Estimating Director : £120,000 - £150,000+

    Cost Planning

    Cost Planner : £50,000 - £80,000

    Senior Cost Planner : £80,000 - £120,000

    List of Roles

    • Quantity Surveyor
    • Commercial Manager
    • Quantity Surveyor/Estimator
    • Estimator
    • Managing Estimator
    • Cost Planner