Assistant Quantity Surveyor
Bedford‑Based Main Contractor | £17m New Build Hotel | Watford
Salary: £35,000–£45,000 + package + travel
A growing Bedford-based main contractor is seeking an Assistant Quantity Surveyor with 2+ years’ experience to join its Eastern Region commercial team. The company delivers projects across commercial offices, hospitality, hotels, student accommodation and residential sectors, with group turnover approaching £200m and a strong pipeline of secured work.
Location
- Head office: Bedford
- Initial project: £17m new build hotel, Watford
- Future projects across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and the wider region
- Suitable for candidates based in Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire / Milton Keynes / Buckinghamshire
Project Overview – £17m New Build Hotel, Watford
You will join an established delivery team including the Project Manager, Site Manager, visiting Design Manager, visiting Operations Manager and Commercial Director, alongside a Senior QS.
Project details:
- Design & Build, under JCT 2016
- Currently up to 2nd floor with RC Frame, with scaffolding and brickwork progressing next
- 54% of procurement completed
- Remaining procurement focused on finishing trades and landscaping
- Live until December, providing continuity and hands-on experience
You will support and manage multiple subcontractor packages, including:
- Groundworks & RC Frame
- Drylining & Plastering
- M&E
- Flooring, roofing and other finishing trades
🔧 Key Responsibilities
- Supporting all commercial duties on a £17m new build D&B project
- Managing and assisting with multiple subcontractor packages, including finishing trades
- Assisting with procurement, tendering and package comparisons
- Learning and applying procurement processes, including how to structure enquiries and analyse returns
- Preparing and maintaining commercial documentation and reports
- Supporting cost reporting / CVRs, including attending monthly meetings
- Managing valuations, variations and applications for payment
- Using COINS for commercial administration (training provided)
- Conducting twice‑weekly site walk-around to verify progress and measurements
- Liaising with subcontractors, issuing enquiries and supporting negotiation
- Working closely with the Senior QS, PM and wider site team
- Supporting dispute resolution by validating measures, checking claims and ensuring commercial accuracy
Candidate Requirements
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in a Quantity Surveying role
- HNC or above in a construction-related discipline
- Strong understanding of commercial processes, measurement and reporting
- Confident in managing multiple subcontract packages
- Based within reach of Bedford / Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire / Milton Keynes / Buckinghamshire
- Backgrounds welcomed:
- Main contractor experience, ideally with JCT experience
- Subcontractor experience in Groundworks & RC Frame, Drylining, M&E
- Able to justify commercial decisions through measurement and verification rather than relying solely on subcontractor information
- Motivated to progress within a growing regional commercial team
Package & Support
- £35,000–£45,000 salary
- Travel to the site covered
- COINS training and ongoing commercial development
- Mentoring from an experienced Senior QS
What You’ll Gain
- Hands‑on experience on a flagship £17m new build hotel
- Long-term stability within a growing Bedford-based contractor
- Exposure to diverse sectors and complex project types
- Clear progression within a commercially strong regional team
- Structured development in procurement, CVRs, cost reporting and package management
Keywords
Assistant Quantity Surveyor, AQS, Quantity Surveyor, QS, Commercial Team, Main Contractor, Bedford, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, JCT, JCT Experience, COINS, Procurement, CVRs, Cost Reporting, Subcontract Packages, RC Frame, Drylining, M&E, New Build, Hotel Project, Construction Jobs, Finishing Trades, D&B, Design & Build.
📢 Application Notice
If you have not heard back within 48 hours, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.