I started for the Esh Group in 2007 two weeks after completing my A Levels, planning on working a six week summer job before going on to study architecture at university in the September. I soon became more interested in the financial side of construction. I was offered a permanent job with the Commercial department of Stephen Easten Building as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, along side the Esh Group sponsoring me to go to Northumbria University to study Bsc(Hons) Quantity Surveying Part Time, attending university one day a week. I have recently completed my forth year of study and will be completing my final year by May 2012. It has been especially helpful being able to study whilst working as the work based experience has been indispensable for my modules and assessments.
By my second year of being a trainee, I was given a fantastic opportunity, to work as the Quantity Surveyor for the small works department of Stephen Easten Building, being able to financially run various small jobs reporting to our commercial manager. This helped me grasp financial reporting on a small scale before gradually moving onto being the lead quantity surveyor on some bigger schemes.
Now, I work for Esh Build, concentrating on commercial build projects. I am given the opportunity to be lead quantity surveyor for some fascinating projects, including working on the Farne Islands and in museums. As I have progressed I have became responsible for more and more aspects of a construction contract. My responsibilities include subcontract procurement, for various different projects, which has proved challenging in the current economic climate.
One of my favourite sides of my job is the financial management, reporting, and forecasting. For each contract I am involved with, I will prepare monthly CVR’s; an initial job forecast; and a monthly review of that forecast. This is then relayed to my Commercial Manager and then to the Commercial Director.
I am also responsible for monthly valuations and then the final accounts across the different sites, liaising with the client team for approval. Along side my contract valuations; I manage subcontractor valuations, in particular cost management and variations. Being able to build relationships with both clients and subcontractors whilst attending progress meetings and design team meetings has greatly helped improve my confidence and knowledge of different trades and different client team structures.
Going forward, I am hoping to gain a greater knowledge of contract law and become more experienced in different procurement and construction management routes.