Construction estimating guides

Practical, plain-English guides to hiring and working with a construction estimator — what estimating costs, how to choose the right specialist for your trade, and the difference between an estimator, a quantity surveyor and a cost engineer.

How-to guides

Step-by-step help with hiring and working with an estimator.

How to hire a construction estimator

Hiring a construction estimator comes down to matching their trade specialism to your project, checking their experience and service area, and getting a clear, itemised quote before you commit.

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What does a quantity surveyor cost in the UK?

Quantity surveyor fees in the UK are charged as a fixed fee, a day rate (typically £350–£600 a day) or a percentage of construction value (often around 1–3%), depending on the size and length of the project.

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Comparisons

Side-by-side comparisons to help you choose the right specialist.

QS vs estimator: what's the difference?

An estimator prices the work — taking off quantities and building a competitive tender — while a quantity surveyor manages cost across the whole project, from the first estimate through to the final account.

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