What are the future trends in quantity surveying?

The quantity surveying market has, in recent years, gone from strength to strength. 

The worldwide focus on infrastructure development has bolstered the need for Quantity Surveyors across the board. Meanwhile, Quantity Surveyors remain in demand in the real estate market, thanks to ongoing urbanisation strategies.

But disruptive technologies are changing the face of quantity surveying, leaving some industry professionals wondering what the future will hold.

The purpose of this blog is to provide an overview of the future for those on a quantity surveying career path. We’ll discuss the top trends shaping the industry and offer advice on skills you can refine to thrive in this evolving market.

The future of quantity surveying

What are the future trends in quantity surveying?

1. Technology: In terms of future trends, quantity surveying has—and continues to be—largely impacted by emerging technologies. AI, in particular, is changing the landscape in radical ways—more on that in the next section. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has changed how Quantity Surveyors work, and as the technology continues to advance, so too will the way in which quantity surveyors conduct their operations.
2. Developing nations: Those with a keen eye for the future of the industry are paying heed to the regional insights affecting the global quantity surveying market. Developed nations such as the US and UK represent markets whose focus is on sustainability and meeting regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, countries like China and India are experiencing huge influxes of finance for urban development. This represents significant opportunities for Quantity Surveyors interested in working on projects in these regions.
3. Green building: Environmental conscientiousness is impacting industries spanning everything from manufacturing to energy—and the quantity surveying market is no different. As construction and energy costs continue to climb, quantity surveyors are employed more and more to focus on improving buildings’ energy efficiency. It is predicted that the finance market size for green building will grow from $4.5bn in 2022 to a staggering $29bn in 2032, which promises to be a driving force in the future of construction and quantity surveying.

The role of AI

As is the case across so many industries, AI is impacting the quantity surveying industry in profound, often unforeseen ways. 

The rise of AI is disconcerting to those who worry about job security, some of whom are asking “Will Quantity Surveyors be replaced by AI?”.

Many experts argue that this is not a likely outcome. Far more likely, is the opportunity for AI-attuned Quantity Surveyors to improve the accuracy and efficiency of their trade.

For example, AI has changed how Quantity Surveyors analyse project parameters. 

What was once done manually using complex calculations can now be done using digital algorithms. This massively reduces miscalculations and reduces time spent engaging in project analytics.

In addition, AI-powered visualisation tools, data analysis, and error detection systems are also keenly favoured by today’s Quantity Surveyors.

Future-proof skills for Quantity Surveyors

As the quantity surveying industry continues to evolve, professionals will need to engage in continuous learning if they want to make the most of future opportunities.

To stay relevant and thrive in the ever-changing industry, successful Quantity Surveyors are looking towards updating their skill set in areas like:

• Becoming fluent in emerging technologies, particularly AI-related tools that promise to improve efficiency and reduce error
• Comprehension of the latest regulations and areas of compliance that relate to their chosen projects
• Sustainability expertise and green building certifications
• Soft skills, such as strategic thinking and cross-disciplinary collaboration, which promise to make professionals more versatile and effective across an array of projects

Find quantity surveying jobs

Now that you have a more thorough understanding of the trends shaping the quantity surveying industry, it’s time to explore Quantity Surveyor jobs with TRS Staffing.

As a global recruitment specialist, we are always interested in hearing from qualified Quantity Surveyors who are looking for their next career move. 

With connections across the industry spanning countries and project types, we are experienced in matching skilled talent with rewarding positions.