Senior quantity surveyor — Amy Sumner

After completing her A-levels, Amy joined leading UK housebuilder Bellway Homes as an apprentice assistant quantity surveyor. She's now completed a degree from the University of Salford and has progressed to senior quantity surveyor

How did you get your job in property and construction?

Due to my dyslexia, I decided early on that a degree apprenticeship would be the best route for me to take instead of university, as it would provide me with more of a practical learning experience.

During the summer break while at college, I secured work experience with Bellway's North West division and really enjoyed it. A year later, I started to apply for degree apprenticeships in quantity surveying and emailed Bellway to see if they had any opportunities.

They got back to me to let me know they had a position available. They asked me if I would like to apply and come in for an interview with the commercial manager and technical director.

In what ways is your degree relevant to your job?

As I did my degree while on the job, it was incredibly helpful and gave me knowledge of different quantity surveying methods, and not just what's related to house building.

What are your main work activities?

I have a number of ongoing projects with various requirements, all at different stages. As I work for a housebuilder, one project is a housing development that consists of a range of houses and apartments.

At the start of a project, we have to tender the site, which involves sending out all the drawings and information to the subcontractors and obtaining the quotes. We then analyse the quote to ensure that we have included everything that is required and at the correct price before placing the order. Once the order is placed, the works are reviewed monthly and paid accordingly. Currently, I do this across three sites and I am setting up a new site.

In the middle of all that, we produce a report on each site every three months to show any cost movement on the site and its overall profitability.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The variation of tasks you can do in a day. We do a lot in the office but we also aim to get onsite once a week to review progress and value this against payments.

What are the most challenging aspects of quantity surveying?

Sometimes at the start of a site it feels like you have to be a professional juggler as the business always wants you to be onsite as soon as possible, but it is our role to ensure we place the order for the right price and with the right specification. Once you set up a site right, it tends to tick over nicely, but the setup process can be very time consuming.

How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?

It has developed from starting as a trainee quantity surveyor with Bellway to now being a senior quantity surveyor. My role now includes mentoring and managing others as well as keeping my sites up to date.

My overall ambition is to continue to develop my skills and learn more about the business. Quantity surveying exposes you to all aspects of the business, as you have to liaise with engineers and architects on the drawings. Once the orders are placed, I will send them to the site team so they understand what each trade is contracted to complete.

Do you have any advice for those looking to work in the property and construction sector?

• Try to get some work experience if you can. It is like a free trial and most companies will offer it.
• If you know someone in the industry, give them a call and ask questions. You can learn so much from a quick phone call.
• Apply for jobs speculatively by emailing your CV and a cover letter to employers but don't be disheartened if they don't get back to you.

Find out more

• Get the lowdown on becoming a quantity surveyor.
• Explore degree apprenticeships.
• Read about the range of careers at Bellway Homes.