Building Surveyor

If you take a different route to work every day, constantly rearrange your furniture, and never eat at the same restaurant twice, the job of Building Surveyor might be the one for you. That’s because the Building Surveyor is the obsessive-compulsive Jack-of-all-trades within the construction community. You understand land-use laws and know how to apply them, are familiar with the ins and outs of plumbing and electricity, and can predict a project’s environmental impact.

Each job for a Building Surveyor is a little different and, therefore, requires a different set of skills. When you’re asked to supervise the renovation of a historic building, for example, you offer your knowledge about its historic relevance, give advice on insurance liability, and ensure that the project is completed in accordance with local building codes.

When working on new construction, you advise the client about land-use laws, environmental impact, and handicap accessibility. In addition, you evaluate health and safety concerns during construction, and offer alternatives as needed. You also keep track of deadlines to make sure the project stays on task. Another one of your major concerns is fire safety. You assess wiring, and ensure that the proper number of sprinkler heads and smoke detectors are installed.

Obviously, this job requires experience in the field of construction. In addition, you need to thrive on variety. Whether you’re working on one project or juggling several, you’re constantly digging into a different set of skills. And you regularly update those skills to keep abreast of changes in green construction and zoning laws.