Quantity Surveyor - Preconstruction

Criterion Capital; Slough; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Criterion Capital is seeking a dynamic Pre-Construction Quantity Surveyor to join our in-house contracting team and drive cost planning across development projects.

You will lead feasibility budgets, cost plans and procurement strategies for office-to-hotel conversions, PRS, mixed-use and private refurbishments, ensuring commercial robustness and readiness for construction.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Commercial Management or related discipline.
• 3+ years' QS experience with strong pre-construction, estimating, cost planning or commercial experience.
• Experience within a developer, main contractor, consultancy or in-house contracting environment.
• Proven experience in cost planning, tender analysis, procurement, value engineering and negotiation.
• Existing-building/refurbishment/hospitality/residential experience advantageous.
• Strong understanding of UK construction costs, procurement, design development, buildability and subcontractor market.
• Strong commercial, analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with confidence to challenge assumptions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Procore.
• RICS qualification or progress towards chartership advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial management throughout pre-construction, including feasibility estimates, budgets, cost plans and forecasts.
• Undertake cost benchmarking, elemental analysis and market testing to support development and investment decisions.
• Review design information and identify cost implications, commercial risks, value engineering and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Develop procurement strategies, package scopes, tender documentation, pricing schedules and Bills of Quantities.
• Lead tendering activities, including tender analysis, commercial recommendations and subcontractor/supplier negotiations.
• Maintain strong control of scope, cost, procurement and commercial risk, including assumptions, exclusions, provisional sums, inflation and market conditions.
• Challenge consultants, designers and contractors on cost, buildability and value, ensuring decisions aligned with project objectives.
• Maintain accurate cost plans, procurement trackers and commercial records, providing clear reporting to senior management.
• Work collaboratively across development, design, construction, asset management and operations teams.
• Support the transition into Construction, ensuring budgets, procurement information, package values and commercial risks are clearly handed over.

Skills

Cost planning

Tender analysis

Procurement

Value engineering

Negotiation

Cost benchmarking

Forecasting

Buildability

Commercial problem-solving

Communication

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or related

Tools

Procore

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Criterion Capital is seeking a dynamic and experienced Pre-Construction Quantity Surveyor to join our in-house contracting team and play a key role in preparing development projects for construction.

Working across office-to-hotel conversions, PRS and mixed-use residential developments, and private residential refurbishments, you will provide commercial and cost leadership throughout pre-construction, working closely with the development, design, construction, asset management and operations teams.

This is a hands-on role for someone who takes ownership, challenges assumptions and drives projects forward, ensuring projects are commercially robust, appropriately costed and ready for successful delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial management throughout pre-construction, including feasibility estimates, budgets, cost plans and forecasts.
• Undertake cost benchmarking, elemental analysis and market testing to support development and investment decisions.
• Review design information and identify cost implications, commercial risks, value engineering and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Develop procurement strategies, package scopes, tender documentation, pricing schedules and Bills of Quantities.
• Lead tendering activities, including tender analysis, commercial recommendations and subcontractor/supplier negotiations.
• Maintain strong control of scope, cost, procurement and commercial risk, including assumptions, exclusions, provisional sums, inflation and market conditions.
• Challenge consultants, designers and contractors on cost, buildability and value, ensuring decisions remain aligned with project objectives.
• Maintain accurate cost plans, procurement trackers and commercial records, providing clear reporting to senior management.
• Work collaboratively across development, design, construction, asset management and operations teams.
• Support the transition into Construction, ensuring budgets, procurement information, package values and commercial risks are clearly handed over.

About You

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• 3+ years' Quantity Surveying experience, with strong pre-construction, estimating, cost planning or commercial experience.
• Experience within a developer, main contractor, consultancy or in-house contracting environment.
• Proven experience in cost planning, tender analysis, procurement, value engineering and negotiation.
• Existing-building, refurbishment, hotel, residential or PRS experience would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of construction costs, procurement, design development, buildability and the UK subcontractor market.
• Strong commercial, analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with confidence to challenge assumptions and drive solutions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and construction/commercial software such as Procore.
• RICS qualification or progress towards chartership would be advantageous.

The Person

We are looking for a hands-on commercial professional who takes ownership and is accountable for outcomes.

You will:

• Challenge incomplete or unrealistic cost information and drive practical solutions.
• Identify commercial risks early and resolve issues before they impact projects.
• Maintain firm control of cost, scope, procurement and risk.
• Understand the impact of design decisions on cost, programme and buildability.
• Confidently challenge consultants, contractors and design teams.
• Identify opportunities to save time and cost without compromising quality or project objectives.
• Drive actions to closure and maintain accountability across project teams.
• Operate effectively across development, design, construction, asset management and operations.

Ultimately, you will ensure projects reach Construction with clear budgets, appropriate procurement strategies, robust cost information and commercial risks identified and managed.