Senior Quantity Surveyor

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor for high-end residential projects. The role focuses on cost control, procurement, and contract administration, with close collaboration with clients, contractors and design teams.

You will oversee budgets, tender evaluations, and value optimisation while maintaining high-quality finishes and luxury standards. A strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management are essential.

Qualifications

• Oversee cost control and value optimisation for luxury residential projects.
• Strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management.
• Experience with main contracts (JCT) and bespoke forms is expected.

Responsibilities

• Pre-construction & procurement: prepare detailed cost estimates and budgets from drawings and client briefs, evaluate tender submissions and lead procurement strategy.
• Cost control & reporting: track project costs, maintain cost plans, forecast cash flow and prepare cost reports and CVRs.
• Contract management: administer main/subcontracts, issue payment notices, manage final accounts and handle disputes or claims with legal teams.
• Site and client interface: attend site meetings, liaise with high-net-worth clients and coordinate with architects, engineers and subcontractors.
• Post-construction: lead final account settlement and evaluate subcontractor performance.

Skills

Cost estimation

Budgeting

Procurement

Contract management

Tender evaluation

Cost control

Change orders

Cash flow

Subcontractor management

Site meetings

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.