Senior Quantity Surveyor

deverellsmith; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Deverell Smith is seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor to oversee cost control, procurement and contract administration for luxury residential projects. The role focuses on maintaining margins while delivering high-quality finishes and bespoke client requirements.

You will interface with clients, design teams and subcontractors to safeguard project value and compliance from pre-construction through to post-construction close-out.

Qualifications

• Senior QS with high-end, bespoke residential experience.
• Proven ability to manage full cost control lifecycle.
• Strong procurement and negotiation skills for tenders and suppliers.
• Experience administering JCT and bespoke contracts.
• Proven track record protecting margin while maintaining quality.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and budgets from drawings and briefs.
• Lead procurement strategy, supplier selection and contract negotiations.
• Review BOQs, schedules of rates and specifications.
• Prepare and analyse tender packs and CVRs.
• Track project costs, maintain cost plans and monthly reports.
• Lead final account settlements and post-construction close-out.

Skills

Senior QS

Cost control

Procurement

Contract administration

Stakeholder management

High-end residential

Job description

Senior Quantity Surveyor - High-End Residential

We're looking for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to oversee all cost-related aspects of high-end, bespoke residential construction projects, ensuring financial control, contract compliance and value optimisation throughout.

Working closely with clients, contractors and design teams, this role demands extensive knowledge of high-quality finishes, custom craftsmanship and luxury building standards - alongside strong commercial acumen and confident stakeholder management.

What you'll be doing

Pre-construction & procurement - You'll prepare detailed cost estimates and budgets from architectural drawings and client briefs, conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments, and evaluate tender submissions with clear recommendations. You'll lead on procurement strategy, supplier selection and contract negotiations, review BOQs, schedules of rates and specifications, and act as the direct liaison with employers, employer's representatives and the wider project team - interviewing contractors, allocating orders, confirming contract terms and warranties, and preparing and analysing tender packs.

Cost control & reporting - You'll track and report project costs and valuations throughout construction, maintain the cost plan and deliver monthly financial reports, and forecast cash flow in line with progress on site. You'll identify, evaluate and manage variations and change orders, maintain a positive cash position across the life of the project, and prepare cost reports and CVRs - all while looking to maximise margin without compromising on the quality of the delivered product.

Contract management - You'll administer main contracts and subcontracts (JCT and bespoke forms), keeping your knowledge of current building contracts sharp, and ensure compliance with contractual obligations and statutory requirements. You'll draft, review and issue payment notices, applications and final accounts, and liaise with legal teams where disputes or claims arise.

Site and client interface - You'll attend site meetings to keep commercial goals aligned with site activity, act as the key commercial point of contact for high-net-worth clients and their representatives, and coordinate closely with architects, designers, engineers and subcontractors to protect the project's vision and quality standards.

Post-construction - You'll lead the final account settlement process, evaluate subcontractor performance and compile cost data for future projects, and support defect rectification and contract close-out through to completion.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Senior QS experience within high-end, bespoke residential construction
• Strong knowledge of luxury finishes, custom craftsmanship and premium building standards
• Full cost control lifecycle - estimating, cost plans, CVRs, monthly reporting, cash flow forecasting
• Confident procurement and negotiation - tenders, BOQs, supplier selection, subcontract orders
• Contract administration across JCT and bespoke forms
• Experience managing variations, change orders and final accounts
• Comfortable as key commercial contact for high-net-worth clients and their representatives
• Strong coordination across architects, designers, engineers and subcontractors
• Track record protecting margin without compromising quality