General practice surveyor
Advise clients on the real value of land and buildings. You'll negotiate property deals that make a real difference.
Also known as: valuer

About the job
What it's like
General practice surveyors play a key role in the property sector – offering expert advice on land, buildings and property management. You'll work with a wide range of clients, helping them make informed decisions about their assets.
You'll focus on valuing, managing and developing properties for clients in both the public and private sectors. You may negotiate leases, manage property portfolios or advise on planning and development projects.
General practice surveyors can work in different industries. For example, you could go into real estate, local government, construction or corporate organisations. Some surveyors specialise in areas such as commercial property, residential property, rural land or asset management.
Your tasks might include:
inspecting properties and land to assess their condition and value
negotiating leases, sales and purchases on behalf of clients
advising clients on property investment opportunities
managing property portfolios for organisations or individuals
preparing detailed reports and valuations
liaising with planners, architects and legal professionals
Green job
In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. You might:
advise clients on sustainable property development or energy-efficient upgrades
manage land or buildings to improve environmental performance
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – qualifications and standards in land, property and construction
Chartered Institute of Building – pathways to a professional career in the built environment
University College of Estate Management – supported online learning for the built environment
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- negotiating
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- observation
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- supporting
- cooperating

Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Environmental Science
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Geography
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Practical Craft Skills
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Skills for Work: Construction Craft
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Applications of Mathematics
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are a few ways you can become a general practice surveyor.
University
You’ll need a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject, such as:
Real Estate
Surveying
Property Management
Construction Management
Building Surveying
Use the My World of Work course search to find courses.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you secure a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Construction Management
Built Environment
Property Management
Quantity Surveying
Architectural Technology
Civil Engineering
Apprenticeship
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry and you'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni. You'll get a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in areas such as:
You can gain chartered status by following one of the routes approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
You must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent and pass a health and safety test to work and train on construction sites.
You'll likely need a full UK driving license for some jobs.
Once in work, no matter your qualifications, there'll be a period of supervised practical training and an Assessment of Professional Competence.
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Browse courses in Scotland related to 'General practice surveyor'
