One of the first questions clients ask us is: "What will a quantity surveyor actually cost me?" It's a fair question — and one that deserves a straight answer rather than the vague "it depends" you often hear.

The short version: QS fees in London typically range from 1% to 3% of the total construction value, though the structure of those fees varies considerably depending on the project type, scope, and the firm you engage.

Here's what you need to know before you pick up the phone.

What Does a Quantity Surveyor Actually Do?

Before we get to numbers, it's worth being clear on what you're paying for. A quantity surveyor (QS) is responsible for managing the financial and contractual side of a construction project. That includes:

• Cost planning — establishing a realistic budget before work begins
• Procurement advice — helping you choose the right contractor and contract type
• Tender management — preparing bills of quantities, issuing tender documents, and analysing returns
• Cost reporting — tracking spend against budget throughout the build
• Final account — agreeing the final cost with the contractor at completion

On smaller residential projects, a QS might also act as Contract Administrator — certifying payments, managing variations, and issuing practical completion certificates.

How Are QS Fees Structured?

There are three common fee structures you'll encounter:

1. Percentage of Construction Cost

The most traditional approach. The QS charges a percentage of the agreed contract sum. For residential projects in London, this typically sits between 1.5% and 3%, with commercial work often coming in at the lower end of that range due to scale.

On a £500,000 refurbishment, that means fees of roughly £7,500 to £15,000.

2. Fixed Lump Sum

Increasingly common for well-defined scopes. You agree a fixed fee upfront, which gives you cost certainty. This works well when the project brief is clear and the risk of scope creep is low.

3. Time-Based (Hourly or Daily Rate)

Used for advisory work, due diligence, or projects where the scope is genuinely uncertain. Senior QS day rates in London typically range from £600 to £1,200 per day depending on experience and specialism.

What Factors Affect the Fee?

Several things will push fees up or down:

Project complexity — A straightforward loft conversion requires far less QS input than a basement excavation or a listed building refurbishment. The more complex the project, the more time is involved.

Contract type — A JCT Design and Build contract requires different QS input to a traditional JCT Intermediate contract. Some forms require more active cost management throughout.

Location — Central London projects typically attract higher fees than work in the Home Counties, reflecting both the higher construction costs involved and the time demands of working in the city.

Stage of appointment — Engaging a QS from the outset (RIBA Stage 1 or 2) gives you the most value. A late appointment — once a contractor is already on site — limits what a QS can do and may actually cost more in the long run.

Firm size and seniority — A large commercial practice will have different rate structures to a boutique consultancy. At Godfrey & Godfrey, every project is handled by a senior consultant — not passed to a junior team member once the contract is signed.

Is It Worth It?

In almost every case, yes. Here's why.

A good QS will typically save you far more than their fee. On a £1m project, identifying a 5% saving through better procurement or tighter cost management is worth £50,000 — many times the cost of the appointment.

More importantly, a QS protects you from the risks you don't know about. Uncontrolled variations, poorly drafted contracts, and unchallenged contractor claims are among the most common reasons construction projects go over budget. A QS's job is to prevent exactly that.

What Should You Ask Before Appointing?

When you're comparing QS proposals, go beyond the headline fee. Ask:

• Who will actually be working on my project? — Will you have direct access to a senior consultant, or will your project be managed by a junior?
• What is included in the fee? — Is tender management included? What about post-contract cost reporting?
• How do you handle variations? — What's the process if the scope changes?
• Can you provide references from similar projects? — A QS with experience on comparable projects will add more value than one who is learning on your job.

A Note on London-Specific Costs

Construction costs in London are consistently higher than the national average — typically 20–30% above regional benchmarks. This affects everything from labour rates to material delivery costs and site preliminaries.

This makes accurate cost planning even more important in London. A QS who understands the local market — who knows what a realistic tender return looks like for a Kensington refurbishment versus a project in the Home Counties — is worth considerably more than one working from national cost data alone.

Getting Started

If you're planning a residential or commercial project in London or the South East and want to understand what QS support would cost for your specific situation, we're happy to have a straightforward conversation.

We offer a no-obligation initial call to discuss your project, understand your budget, and give you a clear picture of what our involvement would look like — and what it would cost.