Buoyant market for building surveyors

The building surveyor is a relatively new arrival on the construction and surveying scene in this State. Traditionally their job was done by architects or engineers, and building surveying was a largely UK-based profession. However, a market has grown for these very specialised professionals as Krystyna Rawicz, chairwoman of the building surveying division of the Society of Chartered Surveyors explains.

"Building surveyors are working continuously on the edge of the property and construction industries. They work in a number of different fields and may build up specialities, but primarily their job is to look after a building throughout its life."

Building surveyors give professional advice to the owners and occupiers of buildings. This can start as soon as the plans are drawn up, but most of their work involves existing buildings. They give advice on virtually all aspects of construction, use and repair of buildings, including planned maintenances, general repairs, dilapidations - which are legal issues between landlords and tenants - demolition and redevelopment. Some surveyors take on all these different types of projects while others concentrate on specific areas.

"The physical fabric of the building encloses what people do, so making decisions about the suitability of alterations is an important part of the business," says Rawicz. "Some building surveyors get involved in conservation and looking after listed buildings and some specialise solely in residential surveying, giving detailed surveys to house buyers. This is is particularly important in period properties where there could be problems a buyer might not see."

Some building surveyors set up their own businesses, but a larger number work in the building surveying departments of big companies such as Hamilton Osborne King or Lisney. Others work with the Department of the Environment or in local authorities and a few work for insurance companies who often need expert advice on why buildings become defective or on appropriate levels of compensation for claimants.

Rawicz says no matter where you choose to work your job is likely to be diverse and energetic. "This is a fantastically varied job. Your first meeting of the day might be in an MD's boardroom, then you could be in your hard hat out on a site. Your third meeting could be in a factory that had a leaking roof. You would liaise with the original installers, instruct on the types of repairs needed and negotiate the legal responsibilities. Essentially you're a problem-solver."

The strength of the construction industry has created "limitless opportunities" for surveyors, says Rawicz: "It's a great job to be in at the moment - it's very exciting." To be a fully qualified chartered building survey, you must be a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors. This involves getting your degree in building surveying, registering with the society and undertaking a minimum of two years work experience with a qualified chartered building surveyor.

There's only one building surveying course in the State recognised by the society, this is the five-year BSc in building surveying at Dundalk IT.

This is an add-on degree, which means that you don't enter into a degree stream straight from school. You start off on the two-year certificate in construction studies, then go on to a one-year diploma in building surveying and, on getting 55 per cent or more in your exams, you can go for the two-year degree course.

Lecturer in building surveying at Dundalk IT, Gerry Smyth, says graduates from the course are much in demand. "The ones who choose to work in building surveying have always found employment and at the moment we have companies ringing us looking for graduates."

Smyth says the course is "very broad-based" and offers a wide range of career options to graduates. As well as being accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors, it is linked to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, widening the opportunities for working outside the State.