Quantity Surveyor

Carrington West; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington West is seeking an experienced Freelance Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor to join the commercial team on a major highways project in Devon. The role is site-based, full-time, and offers an ASAP start on a contract running through to Christmas 2026.

The ideal candidate will manage subcontractor forecasts, cost reporting and compensation events, with strong NEC4 ECC knowledge and MMHW experience, and be able to work closely with project, construction and commercial teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive Senior Quantity Surveying experience on major civil engineering or highways projects.
• Strong knowledge of NEC4 ECC, especially Main Options B and C.
• Good knowledge of the Method of Measurement for Highway Works (MMHW).
• Experience managing subcontractor accounts and Compensation Events.
• Understanding of Defined Cost and its application in entitlement determinations.
• Strong cost forecasting across multiple cost types.
• Ability to interpret construction programmes for forecasting.
• Strong commercial, analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining detailed subcontractor account forecasts and reporting on anticipated final costs.
• Producing robust cost forecasts across all relevant cost types.
• Supporting the administration and commercial assessment of subcontractor Compensation Events.
• Assessing subcontractor entitlement with Defined Cost.
• Interpreting construction-phase programmes and applying programme information to forecasting.
• Supporting the wider commercial team and providing cover where required.
• Working closely with project, construction and commercial teams to maintain accurate and timely commercial reporting.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Cost forecasting

Programme interpretation

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Tools

NEC4 ECC

MMHW

Job description

Freelance Quantity Surveyor - Highways
Devon - Site Based
ASAP Start | Contract until Christmas 2026
Full Time | Freelance / Contract

We are looking for an experienced Freelance Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor (SQS) to join the commercial team on a major road project in Devon.
This is a full-time contract opportunity, starting ASAP and running through to the end of the year. The role is preferably site based, so candidates should live within a reasonable commuting distance of the project.

The Role

The Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor will take primary responsibility for the maintenance and management of subcontractor account forecasts, ensuring accurate, detailed and robust forecasting throughout the construction phase.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining detailed subcontractor account forecasts and reporting on anticipated final costs.
• Producing robust cost forecasts across all relevant cost types.
• Supporting the administration and commercial assessment of subcontractor Compensation Events.
• Assessing subcontractor entitlement with a thorough understanding of Defined Cost.
• Interpreting construction-phase programmes and applying programme information to commercial and cost forecasting.
• Supporting the wider commercial team and providing cover where required.
• Working closely with project, construction and commercial teams to maintain accurate and timely commercial reporting.

Essential Experience

Candidates should have strong infrastructure/highways commercial experience together with:

• Extensive Senior Quantity Surveying experience on major civil engineering or highways projects.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC4 ECC, particularly Main Options B and C.
• Good knowledge of the Method of Measurement for Highway Works (MMHW).
• Demonstrable experience managing subcontractor accounts and Compensation Events.
• A detailed understanding of Defined Cost and its application when assessing contractual entitlement.
• Strong cost forecasting skills, including detailed forecasting across multiple cost types.
• Confidence interpreting construction programmes and using programme information for forecasting purposes.
• Strong commercial, analytical and communication skills.