Quantity Surveyor - Build Residential

Position: Quantity Surveyor - New Build Residential (Permanent)
Site Quantity Surveyor (Project QS)

Luxury Development – 15 Units

Location:

Chelmsford

Contract:

Full-time, Fixed Term (18–24 months)

Reporting to:
Development Director

Project Overview

High-quality self-build development of 15 new-build luxury lake houses (£1.5m+ GDV per unit), constructed in phased, rolling sequence with multiple trade subcontract packages. Developer acting as self-builder. Mixed contract forms to suit package complexity (JCT and simplified trade contracts).

Role Summary

The Site Quantity Surveyor is the commercial lead for the project, responsible for full-cycle cost management, procurement, and subcontract administration across all trade packages. The role combines strong site presence with office-based commercial control, ensuring delivery within budget, to programme, and to the required quality.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Cost Management

Overall responsibility for budget control, cost reporting, and cashflow forecasting

Maintain live cost plan, committed cost tracker, and forecast final accounts

Identify cost risks, overspends, and value engineering opportunities

Weekly budget and package transfer reporting to Development Director and funder

Procurement & Tendering

Break project into trade packages and prepare tender documentation

Produce scopes, BoQs / schedules, tender instructions and programmes

Manage tender process, RFIs, addenda and bid returns

Tender analysis, comparison, and recommendation reporting

Negotiate scope, price, and programme

Prepare CSAs and assemble subcontract agreements

Let packages on rolling basis aligned with phasing

Contract Administration

Select appropriate contract form per package (JCT or simplified trade)

Issue and manage contractual notices

Maintain complete audit trail of contracts, variations, and correspondence

Manage extensions of time, claims, and commercial risk

Valuations & Payments

Monthly site measurement and valuation of completed works

Verify subcontractor applications against progress

Maintain detailed valuation spreadsheets (claims, adjustments, disputes, recommendation)

Issue Payment Notices / Pay Less Notices in line with legislation

Coordinate with finance for timely payment

Variations & Instructions

Capture, log, and price all variations and site instructions

Negotiate costs prior to instruction wherever possible

Maintain variation logs per package

Weekly Early Warnings and instruction status reporting

Site Interface

Regular site walks to verify progress

Attend site and coordination meetings

Work closely with Site Managers and Site Coordinator

Ensure commercial alignment with programme and sequencing

Final Accounts

Prepare and agree final accounts for each package

Reconcile contract sum, variations, PS adjustments, and deductions

Issue Final Payment Certificates

Manage retention release

Produce overall project final account report

Experience & Profile

5+ years’ Quantity Surveying experience

Strong residential / housing project background preferred

Proven experience managing multiple trade packages

Strong knowledge of JCT and subcontract administration

Excellent commercial, analytical, and negotiation skills

Highly organised, proactive, and comfortable in site-based role

Strong communicator with professional approach to dispute resolution