Quantity Surveyor – Taunton + South West sites
Permanent | Full-time (40 hrs) | Hybrid options (for the right candidate)
Salary: £50,000–£80,000 DOE + £5,000 car allowance + holiday + pension
Office base: Taunton
About my client
My client is a family-run construction business established over 40 years ago, delivering a wide range of domestic and commercial projects across the South West. Their work includes new builds, renovations and barn conversions, with experience in sectors such as retail, healthcare, education and heritage.
The role
My client is looking for a Quantity Surveyor to strengthen their commercial capability and support the successful delivery of projects typically ranging from circa £100k–£1m. You’ll work closely with the site and project team to maintain robust cost control, manage subcontract procurement and accounts, and help ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably and to client expectations.
Given the nature of the work in live and sensitive environments (including healthcare) and on heritage buildings, you’ll need to be organised, detail-focused and confident managing commercial risk while maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare and manage project budgets, cost plans and cashflows.
- Produce monthly valuations, applications for payment and cost reports/CVRs.
- Procure subcontractors and suppliers: enquiries, comparisons, negotiation and placing orders.
- Draft/agree subcontract terms (and support main contract administration where required).
- Measure works (including take-offs) and manage variations/change control through to agreement.
- Assess subcontractor applications, certify payments and manage contra charges.
- Maintain robust records: orders, valuations, instructions, variations, correspondence and claims support.
- Identify, price and mitigate commercial risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support forecasting, programme-linked spend and cost-to-complete updates.
- Assist with final accounts (client and subcontractor), including evidence compilation and negotiation.
- Contribute to improving commercial processes, templates and reporting across the business.
- Build strong working relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and internal teams.
- Evaluate tenders for feasibility and produce estimates for new work.
Essential qualifications & experience
- HNC/HND/Degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or related discipline.
- Proven experience as a QS / Assistant QS (ready to step up) within a UK construction contractor environment.
- Strong understanding of measurement, valuations, variations and final accounts.
- Confident working with subcontractors/suppliers and managing procurement and payments.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and cost reporting.
- Full UK driving licence (site travel required).
Desirable
- MRICS (or working towards APC) or a clear commitment to professional development.
- Experience across refurbishment/fit-out, live environment works (e.g., NHS), or heritage/refurbishment projects.
- Familiarity with common UK construction contracts (e.g., JCT) (forms used TBC).
- Experience working on projects in the £100k–£1m range.
Package & benefits (indicative / TBC)
- Car allowance (£5k)
- Mobile phone for work use (in line with other operational roles)
- Pension
- Holiday allowance (29 days including bank holidays)
- Ongoing training and development
- Hybrid/home working: likely 3/4 days office + site based (TBC)
Equal opportunities
My client is an equal opportunities employer. They welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.