What makes a great QS?
I was thinking recently about all the chatter in the market:
Skilled labour is tight — brutally so.
Projects are more complicated — maybe due to tighter budgets, higher risk, and shorter programmes.
And expectations? Higher than ever.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry is now an armchair construction critic.
But a young QS asked me recently on TikTok (if you’re not following me, check out @QSRecruiter):
“What separates the good Quantity Surveyors from the great ones?”
It’s a solid question that doesn't get asked enough.
On paper, most QSs tick the boxes — contracts, measurement, procurement, cost plans.
But in practice, not every QS is the one who gets recruited, trusted, or promoted.
There’s a difference between “can do the job” and “stands out.”
In football terms, you can be a Harry Maguire or a Erling Haaland.
One gets the plaudits — the other struggles to make the team.
The Market Backdrop
One thing’s for sure: knowing where you sit in the market helps.
Let’s call it career awareness.
Across Europe, the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) reports that labour shortages in construction are nearly three times what they were a decade ago. But with poor resources comes opportunity. Around 28% of building companies across Europe say that labour shortages are now limiting their construction activity. (Oxford Economics) In the UK, job boards consistently show 1,500+ QS jobs advertised at any one time. That’s just on one platform — TotalJobs. Think of the roles not advertised, and the other platforms out there. Demand for QSs in the UK is unprecedented. In Australia, the situation’s even more severe. The industry has reported needing around 90,000 new tradespeople by year end, and across design and construction, two-thirds of all occupations are in shortage. (The Access Group) For QS roles (They call them CA's in Australia) specifically, there are currently 2,600+ vacancies listed on SEEK. (Mind blowing!)
In short — there’s demand.
Insane demand.
But that doesn’t mean everyone gets noticed.
Many great QSs slip under the radar, often those with overseas experience who can’t quite crack the local market.
Working as Security Guards and Delivering Pizza'.
Why? Because while technical ability gets you in the door, what keeps you there — what makes you stand out — are the intangibles.
In order to get a better scope of the market, I asked a few of my connections what they thought People from different corners of the industry.
People who’ve walked the path, made mistakes, and earned their stripes.
Here’s what they said.
How to become a Great QS?
Be Firm, But Not a Jerk
One experienced QS told me bluntly:
“Don’t be a Dick, but stand your ground.”
Simple but powerful.
That’s the difference between being respected and being ignored. Confidence without arrogance.
The best QSs I’ve seen can stand toe-to-toe with a subcontractor or project manager, hold their position, and do it with professionalism. They don’t make it personal — they make it clear.
That’s how you build credibility.
- Soft Skills > Technical Skills
Another said:
“Focus on soft skills, communication, problem solving, flexibility. That’s what separates good QSs from great QSs.”
Spot on.
You can know all the contracts, measurement rules, and cost plans, but if you can’t articulate them, negotiate them, or build relationships — you’re finished before you start.
Construction isn’t a spreadsheet game. It’s a people game.
And in my experience, that’s what makes people stand out.
- Be Likeable — and Get Out on Site
Someone else put it perfectly:
“Work on being likeable by your peers. Learn as much as you can about how construction actually works. Don’t just bring problems — bring solutions.”
Exactly.
Too many young QSs hide behind emails, drawings, and spreadsheets. The great ones get their boots dirty.
They spend time on site. They talk to foremen, engineers, and subcontractors. They understand what’s really happening, not just what’s drawn on the page.
Because a QS who knows how things are built can see risk before it blows up, cost before it bites, and opportunity before it’s obvious.
- Don’t Burn Bridges
Another point that came up again and again:
“The industry is smaller than you realise.”
Construction has a long memory.
You might think that argument over a variation is done and dusted, but in three years’ time, you’ll be tendering to the same person again. And they’ll remember how you handled it.
Integrity still matters. Approachability still matters. People buy from people they trust.
However the big one?
Communication: The Ultimate Skill
The most consistent thing I heard? Communication.
One person said:
“Honestly, in my 7 years’ experience, I’ve met some very intelligent people. But some of those people completely lack the ability to communicate properly. And some are just complete arseholes, who expect everyone else to be on the same wavelength as themselves.”
You don’t need to be the smartest in the room — but you do need to be the clearest.
Whether it’s an email, a phone call, or a meeting, the ability to communicate with clarity, honesty, and confidence is what sets people apart.
And if you don’t know something? Say so. Don’t make things up. Honesty builds trust faster than perfection ever will.
The Take Off Podcast Effect
On my podcast — The Take Off Podcast — I’ve interviewed hundreds of people from across construction: directors, QSs, estimators, project managers, CEOs.
And I can honestly say: every single one of them has said the same thing when asked what the most important skill in construction is.
Not technical ability. Not commercial acumen. Not even leadership (though that’s close).
It’s communication — the ability to convey an idea, inspire a team, sell a solution, motivate others, resolve conflict, and build genuine relationships.
That’s what makes you irreplaceable.
Final Thought
So if you’re early in your QS journey don’t obsess over how quickly you can read a drawing or how many spreadsheets you can crunch. Those are baseline skills.
Instead, focus on what actually moves the needle:
Communicate clearly.
Be approachable.
Get on site and learn how things are built.
Be the kind of person people want to deal with.
Because construction is, and always will be, a people business And if you can master the art of communication you won’t just be a good QS. You’ll be a great one.
Written by Mick Donaghy Managing Director of GEDON Executive The Quantity Surveying Recruitment Experts www.gedonexecutive.com
To discuss jobs, career strategies or opportunities in the market contact us via mick@gedonexecutive.com
