Quick answer (updated October 2026): A quantity surveyor appointed for a whole project typically charges around 1–3% of the project value. For a single document you can pay a fixed price instead: at First4Estimating, estimates start at £75 + VAT for a budget estimate and £95 + VAT from planning drawings, with a Bill of Quantities from £200 + VAT.
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How Quantity Surveyor Fees Work
Quantity surveyors charge in two main ways. When a QS is appointed to manage costs across a whole project — from cost planning through tendering, valuations and the final account — the fee is often a percentage of the construction value. Our building cost guide uses a typical range of 1–3% of project value for this kind of appointment.
The other way is a fixed price for a defined piece of work: an estimate, a bill of quantities, a tender price or a review of a builder’s quote. This is how most homeowners, small builders and architects use a QS. You know the cost before any work starts, and you only pay for the document you need.
Percentage fees make sense on large projects where the QS is involved for months or years. On a house extension or a single tender, a fixed price is usually far cheaper and easier to budget for.
Typical Prices for Common QS Services
These are our starting prices. Every project is quoted individually once we’ve seen the drawings, and you receive a fixed-price quotation before we start. All prices exclude VAT.
| Service | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Budget estimate | From £75 + VAT |
| Planning drawing estimate | From £95 + VAT |
| Remedial works estimate | From £95 + VAT |
| Quotation & tender review | From £100 + VAT |
| Building regulation estimate | From £150 + VAT |
| Programme of works | From £150 + VAT |
| Procurement services | From £150 + VAT |
| Bill of Quantities | From £200 + VAT |
| Construction contracts | From £200 + VAT |
| Tender pricing | From £250 + VAT |
| Cost planning, commercial estimating, post-contract services | Fixed-price quotation |
Prices for estimates also depend on the type and size of project. Small extensions start from £95 + VAT, small new builds and conversions from £150 + VAT, and large or complex projects are priced on application. The full breakdown is on our pricing page.
What Affects the Price?
Four things drive the cost of a QS service:
- Size and complexity. A single-storey rear extension takes far less measurement than a block of flats or a mixed-use scheme.
- The level of detail. A budget estimate from outline drawings is quicker to prepare than a building regulation estimate or a fully measured Bill of Quantities in NRM2 format.
- The quality of the information. Clear, scaled drawings and a specification mean less time spent on assumptions and queries.
- Turnaround. Standard estimates are delivered within 5 working days. Express turnaround is available on request, subject to availability.
Is a Quantity Surveyor Worth the Cost?
For most projects, yes. An independent estimate gives you a benchmark to judge builders’ quotes against, so you can spot items that have been missed or overpriced. Our clients regularly tell us our figures align closely with the tenders they receive, and the detailed breakdown lets them compare quotes line by line rather than on the bottom-line figure alone.
Accuracy depends on the drawings we work from. Budget estimates from outline drawings are typically within 15–20% of the final cost, planning-drawing estimates within 10–15%, and building-regulation estimates within 5–10%. Choosing the right level of estimate for your stage of design is the best way to get value for money.
Tip: If you commission estimates regularly, our Plus membership (£99 a month, no contract) gives discounted rates on every estimate, priority turnaround and a direct line to a dedicated estimator.
Fixed Price vs Percentage: An Example
Take a £60,000 single-storey extension. A QS appointed on a 1–3% fee for the whole project would cost roughly £600 to £1,800. If what you actually need is a reliable figure to budget with and to check builders’ quotes, a planning drawing estimate from £95 + VAT or a building regulation estimate from £150 + VAT gives you that for a fraction of the cost.
The percentage route makes sense when you want a QS involved throughout: running the tender, valuing work each month, pricing variations and agreeing the final account. On larger projects that ongoing cost control usually pays for itself. For a one-off figure, a fixed price is the better deal.
What You Get for the Fee
Every estimate we produce is prepared and checked by a qualified Quantity Surveyor. You receive a PDF report and an editable Excel file with an elemental cost breakdown, a summary page and notes on any assumptions, priced at current market rates adjusted for your region. Standard estimates arrive within 5 working days.
The fee also covers support after delivery. We’re available to answer questions, explain line items and help you compare contractor quotations against the estimate. If your design changes, minor amendments are often included at no extra charge, and any cost for larger changes is agreed with you in advance.
How to Keep QS Fees Down
Send complete information the first time. A full set of drawings — floor plans, elevations and any specification, ideally as PDFs at 1:50 or 1:100 scale — means less time on queries and assumptions. Ask for the level of estimate that matches your stage: there is no need for a building regulation estimate if you are still testing whether a project is affordable.
Finally, ask for a fixed-price quotation. Every one of our estimates is quoted upfront, so there are no surprises. Send us your plans and we’ll come back with a price.