At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage costs and financial control on construction sites while ensuring projects meet budgets.
- Company: Cala Group, a leading UK housebuilder focused on creating vibrant communities.
- Benefits: 34 days holiday, private healthcare, pension contributions, and retail discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Join a transformative company and make a real impact in the construction industry.
- Qualifications: RICS qualification or equivalent experience in surveying within housebuilding.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Reporting to the Commercial Manager, the Surveyor will take principal commercial responsibility for payments, costs and financial control on your assigned sites. You will support the wider Commercial team by providing clear, accurate reporting on financial performance, risks and profitability, ensuring developments are delivered in line with agreed budgets and targets. The role requires a proactive and detail‑focused approach, with strong ownership of surveying responsibilities from pre‑construction through to completion.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
- To produce accurate and realistic estimates, budgets and forecast and cost control measures in line with the competency profile for the role of surveyor.
- To monitor site performance against original plans, budgets and financial targets.
- To provide cost reports and key date updates to deadline.
- Communicate regularly with other disciplines; sales, land, construction and architects, as necessary.
- Taking full ownership of the surveying responsibilities for own developments.
About You
You will bring a flexible, proactive and detail‑focused approach to your work. The role suits someone motivated to develop their commercial capability and comfortable managing a range of activities that may overlap with traditional Quantity Surveying responsibilities. You will be highly organised, self‑motivated and confident working independently, while contributing effectively within a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary team environment.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- RICS qualification, degree in Surveying, or equivalent proven on the job experience.
- Experience working in a similar Surveyor role within the housebuilding industry.
- Strong understanding of health and safety requirements within a construction environment.
- Good working knowledge of Building Regulations and current industry standards.
- Ability to produce accurate estimates, cost reports, budgets and financial updates.
- Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to manage commercial discussions effectively.
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Self-motivated, adaptable and proactive, with the ability to work on own initiative.
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
- Effective at building and maintaining positive working relationships.
- Experience working on multiple developments simultaneously.
- Previous exposure to cost forecasting and profitability reporting at a regional level.
- Progress toward professional accreditation (e.g. RICS) if not already achieved.
About Us
The Cala Group is a major UK housebuilder and leading provider of desirable new homes across Scotland, the South of England & Midlands. Driven by a mission to create vibrant and sustainable new communities, our homes are characterised by exceptional design and sector‑leading build quality, and we have a passion for providing our customers with a great home buying experience. This is an exciting time to be at Cala. Our approach to sustainability and technology is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and we’re aiming to create an industry‑leading experience for both our staff and customers. At Cala, you can expect to be part of an environment which allows you to do meaningful work, while offering opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to be the favoured employer in our industry and beyond. We encourage applications from those who want to be part of a culture where they can thrive, feel a sense of belonging and be comfortable being themselves at work.
We offer an excellent benefits package of 34 days holiday (including public holidays and increasing by a day each year to a maximum of 40), the option to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday, private healthcare, enhanced salary sacrifice pension contributions of 5% employee, 10% employer, ULEV car scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, retail discounts and much more! (Some benefits will be pro-rated if you were to join on a part time basis).
Surveyor in Winchester employer: CALA Homes
Cala Homes is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Staines-upon-Thames where you can thrive as a Customer Service Coordinator. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences, we provide ample opportunities for growth and advancement within the company. Our collaborative culture fosters teamwork and innovation, making it a rewarding place to build your career while contributing to the creation of beautiful new homes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Surveyor in Winchester
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like CALA Homes, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Surveyor at CALA Homes.
We think you need these skills to ace Surveyor in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at CALA Homes
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!