How Many Quantity Surveyors Are Actually in London Right Now?
How Many Quantity Surveyors Are Actually in London Right Now?
In today’s competitive construction market, employers and hiring teams often ask: How many Quantity Surveyors are there, especially in major hubs like London? Knowing where candidates are located and the size of the market is crucial for recruitment strategies, workforce planning, and salary setting.
Let’s examine the latest data on Quantity Surveyors in London and what it means for employers and candidates in 2025-26.
National Context: Quantity Surveyors in the UK
Before focusing on London, let’s look at the overall profession:
Estimates indicate there are about 47,200 Quantity Surveyors in the UK as of early 2025; this number has varied in recent months.
Quantity Surveyor positions remain among the most sought-after jobs in the construction sector, with tens of thousands of job postings appearing each year.
This context helps us understand London’s share of the profession, which is significant.
Businesses employing Quantity Surveyors in the UK and London
As of 2025, there are roughly 2.73 million VAT/PAYE-registered businesses in the UK, of which about 538,000 (19.7%) are in London. In these totals, the construction and professional services sectors where Quantity Surveyors (QS) work, account for large slices.
For example, the UK construction industry alone comprised approximately 364,500 registered firms in the UK in 2023 (implying a UK total of around 370-380k firms).
Looking at London, it is home to roughly one-fifth of UK firms, which translates to around 70–80,000 London construction contractors. Likewise, the professional services sector (architecture, engineering consultancies, QS firms, etc.) makes up ~15.3% of all UK businesses (about 417k firms), with London accounting for ~100k of those (since London has ~19–20% of UK businesses).
- Construction contractors (builders, civil engineering firms): These are the largest employers of QS on project sites. In 2023 there were approximately 364,514 VAT/PAYE-registered construction firms in Great Britain. By simple proportion, roughly 70–80k of these would be London-based (since London has ~19.7% of all UK businesses). These firms range from tiny builders to large contractors; many medium and large ones employ in-house quantity surveyors or hire QS consultants on projects.
- Cost consultancy/QS specialist firms: These are firms whose main activity is quantity surveying (often classified under SIC 74902). Industry data indicate there are on the order of 15,000 such firms in the UK. These include specialist QS practices and consultancy branches of larger firms. Roughly a few thousand of these are based in London (again, on the order of around 20% of the UK total). In addition, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reports about 10,008 RICS-regulated surveying firms in the UK (many of which offer QS services), underscoring the scale of the sector.
- Other professional service firms: This category covers architectural, engineering and project management consultancies and similar firms that commonly employ QS staff on projects. For example, ONS data show there were 75,275 engineering consultancy firms (SIC 7112) in the UK around 2022 (and tens of thousands of architectural practices). These sectors together number on the order of 100,000+ firms nationwide, with London housing perhaps 20–25% of them. (Indeed and RICS notes some 140,000 individual surveyors and many consulting firms across the UK.)
In summary, by mid-2025, there were around 2.73 million UK businesses (538k in London). Of these, roughly 370–380 thousand were construction firms (with ~70–80k in London), 15,000 were QS specialist consultancies, and perhaps 100,000+ more were other design/technical consultancies (Architects/Engineers) that employ QSs. These figures come from official ONS surveys and industry sources: for example, ONS construction statistics and business register data, and industry reports/RICS data.
Keep in mind these figures reflect business listings and company profiles; the actual number of individual Quantity Surveyors in London is likely much higher since most firms employ several QS professionals, often across multiple offices, and not all are included in our database.
A broader perspective shows:
Businesses acting as Quantity Surveyors in London indicate a concentration across consultancy, contractor, and specialist practices.
London is recognised as one of the largest regional markets for QS activity in the UK, ranking second only to national totals in city-level job postings and project pipelines.
Job Market Indicators: Demand in London
Data from major job boards confirms a strong demand for Quantity Surveyors in the capital:
Hundreds of active Quantity Surveyor roles are advertised in the London area at any given time, covering positions from entry-level to senior management roles.
These figures reveal that London not only hosts many Quantity Surveyors but also consistently seeks new hires across various specialities and experience levels.
What This Means for Employers and Recruiters
1. The London QS talent pool is substantial, but not unlimited.
While business listings suggest that many QS firms typically employ several Surveyors. However, compared to national figures, London still represents a focused but limited talent pool, making good candidates highly visible to employers.
2. Competition for top candidates is fierce.
With hundreds of job postings and many firms aiming to expand their teams, employers in London must compete not only locally but also with opportunities across the South East and the UK for rare talent.
3. Salary and benefits strategy matter.
QS professionals in London often earn higher salaries than in other regions due to the cost of living and project demands. Employers need to offer competitive packages to attract and keep staff.
4. Graduate and trainee programs will help develop the talent pipeline long-term.
Given the demand at all levels, from apprenticeships to chartered surveyor paths, investing in structured entry-level opportunities will help firms grow their future talent.
Shawn Wood, Managing Consultant of our Construction division, shares his thoughts…
“The London Quantity Surveying market is very competitive. We are seeing steady demand at all levels, especially from employers who are growing, restructuring, or strengthening their commercial teams. Businesses that offer good salary packages, clear paths for advancement, and real hybrid flexibility are consistently attracting top talent. Companies that take a sensible approach to hiring, such as considering candidates from a wider construction background or those moving up to bigger roles, are filling positions faster and drawing in more motivated applicants. Pay increases of £10,000 or more are becoming more common, especially for Assistant Quantity Surveyors moving into full QS roles. This reflects both the market's pressure and the value placed on commercially minded individuals. Overall, it is a candidate-driven market. Employers who respond quickly are achieving the best hiring results.”
Final Thoughts
London remains one of the UK’s top locations for Quantity Surveyors, both in terms of the existing workforce and ongoing demand. Understanding where candidates are located, how they are distributed, and what employers are looking for is crucial for successful recruiting in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you are forecasting hiring needs, evaluating salary competitiveness, or building talent pipelines, the London market requires focused strategies and proactive recruitment to attract the right Quantity Surveyor talent.
If you’re looking to hire a Quantity Surveyor and need assistance with your hiring process, get in touch with Shawn Wood today on 01243 812604.
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