Freelance Quantity Surveyor

ABS Commercial Solutions; Penwortham; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

ABS Commercial Solutions is seeking an experienced Freelance Quantity Surveyor to support a United Utilities clean water mains replacement programme across Lancashire and Cumbria. The role is based from Fulwood, with hybrid working after an initial office learn‑in period.

The candidate should have strong change, compensation event and commercial management experience and be able to work independently on a large-scale infrastructure project.

Qualifications

• Strong Quantity Surveying experience.
• Experience in change control and managing Compensation Events.
• Commercial management experience including subcontractor oversight.

Responsibilities

• Manage change across the project.
• Progress Compensation Events.
• Work through Early Warnings and maintain the Compensation Event register.
• Review and apply contractual change.
• Measure completed works and progress commercial applications.
• Support final accounts and manage subcontractors.

Skills

Quantity Surveying

Change control

Compensation events

Commercial management

Subcontractor management

Independent worker

NEC experience

Job description

Freelance Quantity Surveyor

We're currently recruiting for an experienced Freelance Quantity Surveyor to join a major UK infrastructure business working on a significant United Utilities clean water mains replacement project across Lancashire and Cumbria.

The organisation is a large, established infrastructure business operating across water, energy, technology & communications and transport, with 14,000+ employees across 300+ locations.

The project involves approximately 150km of clean water mains replacement, delivered through the supply chain across around 15 teams.

This is a commercially focused opportunity with a strong emphasis on change control, Compensation Events and commercial management.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage change across the project
• Manage and progress Compensation Events
• Work through Early Warnings
• Maintain and progress the Compensation Event register
• Review and apply contractual change
• Measure completed works
• Manage commercial applications and associated quantum
• Support final accounts
• Manage subcontractors and subcontractor change
• Review and progress outstanding commercial matters
• Support the commercial management of the supply chain
• Ensure change and Compensation Events are progressed through to sign-off

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced Quantity Surveyor with strong practical commercial and change experience.

Essential

• Strong Quantity Surveying experience
• Strong change control experience
• Compensation Event experience
• Commercial management experience
• Subcontractor management experience
• Ability to work independently and hit the ground running

Desirable

• Clean water experience
• Mains replacement experience
• Previous water company experience
• NEC experience
• Utilities / infrastructure experience

Candidates from gas, telecoms, highways or civils backgrounds may also be considered where they have strong transferable commercial and change experience.

Working Arrangement

The role is based from Fulwood, PR2, with the successful candidate required to attend the office initially to learn the project, systems and processes.

Once established, there is flexibility around hybrid working, with a minimum expectation of 2 days per week in the office, more likely 3 days.

The project covers Lancashire and Cumbria, and candidates based in Cumbria will also be considered. There may be opportunities to work from a suitable site depot.

Why Consider It?

• Major UK infrastructure organisation
• Significant United Utilities project
• 150km clean water mains replacement programme
• Strong commercial/change focus
• Freelance opportunity through to the end of 2026
• Potential to extend into 2027
• Up to 400 per day
• Hybrid working once established
• Immediate start available

If you're an experienced freelance QS with strong change, Compensation Event and utilities experience, I'd be keen to have a conversation.