Will AI replace Quantity surveyors?

Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 57 official task statements scored for Quantity surveyors (United Kingdom, SOC 2453), 36% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 52 out of 100 (range 46–59, band: partial). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.

Which tasks in “Quantity surveyors” can AI already do?

The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Prepare cost and expenditure statements at regular intervals for the project” (93/100, very high); “Record income and expenditure on a construction project” (93/100, very high); “Prepare analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making” (93/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.

Which tasks in “Quantity surveyors” stay human?

About 34% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Manage the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control” (11/100, minimal); “Record site information on access, drainage, topography, and utility service availability” (13/100, minimal); “Resolve problems and issues that arise during construction” (18/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.

What should someone working in “Quantity surveyors” do about AI?

Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 36% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 34% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.

How is the AI exposure score for Quantity surveyors calculated?

Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 57 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

UK dataswitch to US

Quantity surveyors

developing cost estimates and analysing quotes from subcontractors and suppliers, analysing outcomes to assess project progress and implementing procurement routes and carry out tendering processes in accordance with construction industry practices. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

This job is splitting in two: reviewing and updating knowledge on various building contracts to ensure current practices is work AI now does quickly and cheaply, and adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace is work it can't touch.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 36%
changing shape: 30%
staying human: 34%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 52 out of 100 (46–59 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, across 57 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for quantity surveyors is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Which half fills your week decides your exposure. Moving toward the second half is a real, doable plan.

Your week, as this page understands it

Quantity surveyors advise on financial and contractual matters relating to, and prepare bills of quantities for, construction projects and provide other support functions concerning the financing and materials required for building projects. The job title says “quantity surveyors”. The real job is the part underneath: adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But quantity surveyors is not one task. It is 57 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 36%
changing shape: 30%
staying human: 34%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

How we know this

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

20 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Shifting to AI

21 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

Developing cost estimates and analysing quotes from subcontractors and suppliers
This is reading one thing and writing another: cost estimates in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 2453/00
Source: “Develop cost estimates and analyse quotes from subcontractors and suppliers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Building cost estimates and comparing quotes is structured number work that software does well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Calculating material, time and labour costs for tender submissions
This is reading one thing and writing another: material, time and labour costs in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 2453/00
Source: “Calculate material, time, and labour costs for tender submissions.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (62–70 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Quantities, rates and labour costs come from drawings and price data, which software adds up quickly and accurately.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Reviewing and updating knowledge on various building contracts to ensure current practices
This is reading one thing and writing another: knowledge in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Review and update knowledge on various building contracts to ensure current practices are followed.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Standard building contracts are published and widely commented on, so keeping a working summary current suits software well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Evaluating materials and costs in accordance with project budgets
This is reading one thing and writing another: materials in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Evaluate materials and costs in accordance with project budgets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Checking materials and costs against a budget is arithmetic and comparison against records.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Changing shape

17 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

Monitoring and managing costs throughout a construction project
The software now makes the first pass at costs throughout a construction project, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 2453/00
Source: “Monitor and manage costs throughout a construction project.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 42 out of 100 (35–49 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Cost tracking runs off project accounts, though valuations still involve site visits and conversations with the team.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing estimates for time, cost, materials and labour from blueprints and documentation
The software now makes the first pass at estimates, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Prepare estimates for time, cost, materials, and labour from blueprints and documentation.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Pulling quantities and costs out of drawings and documents still needs an experienced eye on the detail.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing and recommending a tailored procurement strategy for clients
The software now makes the first pass at a tailored procurement strategy, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Develop and recommend a tailored procurement strategy for clients.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 57 out of 100 (50–64 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: A tailored procurement strategy can be drafted from standard frameworks, though each client real constraints shape it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

Staying human

19 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

Adhering to building regulations
The ratings behind this row put building regulations well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 85 · 2453/00
Source: “Adhere to building regulations.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Building regulations are fully published and checkable, though the approval that matters is given by building control.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Understanding, and complying withing organisational and statutory safety regulations
The ratings behind this row put organisational well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 85 · 2453/00
Source: “Understand and comply with organisational and statutory safety regulations.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Safety rules are easy to look up and summarise, but complying with them on a live site is something a person does.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Assessing the value of completed work
The rules require a named, qualified person to answer for the value of completed work, and that person cannot be a piece of software.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Assess the value of completed work.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 36 out of 100 (29–43 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Valuing completed work is measurement and arithmetic against rates, though the named surveyor's valuation is the one that counts.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Show the other 47 tasks

Preparing cost and expenditure statements at regular intervals for the project
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: cost in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Prepare cost and expenditure statements at regular intervals for the project.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Regular cost statements come straight out of the accounting data, which software produces reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Recording income and expenditure on a construction project
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: income in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 2453/00
Source: “Record income and expenditure on a construction project.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Recording project income and spending is routine book-keeping that accounting software already does.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: analytical reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 2453/00
Source: “Prepare analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Turning data into an analytical report is one of software's strongest areas.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing contract documents for building contractors
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: contract documents in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Prepare contract documents for building contractors.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 88 out of 100 (81–95 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Building contracts are standard published forms, and assembling one from a template is what document tools do best.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Reporting on costs related to projects or operations
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: costs in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Report on costs related to projects or operations.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 81 out of 100 (77–85 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Cost reports are produced straight from project accounting data in a standard format.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing accounts for payment
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: accounts in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 2453/00
Source: “Prepare accounts for payment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 81 out of 100 (77–85 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Preparing payment accounts follows fixed contract rules applied to figures already in the system.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Setting up cost monitoring systems
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: cost monitoring systems in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Set up cost monitoring systems.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Setting up cost tracking is configuring reports and rules, well within what software does.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Evaluating the feasibility of plans
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: the feasibility of plans in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Evaluate the feasibility of plans.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Feasibility checks follow documented methods, so tools produce a solid assessment, though local knowledge sharpens the conclusion.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Reviewing material and labour requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: material in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Review material and labour requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Comparing the cost of making something versus buying it is a clear calculation from available figures.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Arranging for billing of services
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: billing of services in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 2453/00
Source: “Arrange for billing of services.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Setting up billing follows fixed rules in a system, which software handles reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Collecting historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: historical cost data in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 2453/00
Source: “Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Gathering past cost data and applying it to new work is straightforward analysis of existing records.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Filling in project documentation at the relevant stages of the survey project
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: project documentation in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 2453/00
Source: “Fill in project documentation at the relevant stages of the survey project.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Completing project documentation at each stage is structured writing software drafts reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Assisting in the costing of new projects
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: the costing of new projects in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Assist in the costing of new projects.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (62–70 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Early cost plans build on historic rates and standard measurement rules, which software applies well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Designing tender documents to specify project costs
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: tender documents in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Design tender documents to specify project costs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (62–70 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Tender documents follow standard forms and measurement rules, so drafting them is largely templated work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Choosing specific materials required for each work assignment based on project specifications
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: specific materials in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Choose specific materials required for each work assignment based on project specifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (59–73 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Matching materials to a written specification is documented, rule-based work that software does reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing estimates to meet specific customer needs
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: estimates in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Prepare estimates to meet specific customer needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (57–71 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Building a quote from prices and requirements is calculation work that quoting software already does.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Adjusting work schedules through consultation with managers or other staff
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: work schedules in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Adjust work schedules through consultation with managers or other staff.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Adjusting rotas around leave and cover is scheduling work software handles quickly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing outcomes to assess project progress
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at outcomes, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Analyse outcomes to assess project progress.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Progress against programme and budget is a data comparison, though the figures come partly from what is seen on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Implementing procurement routes and carry out tendering processes in accordance with construction industry practices
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at procurement routes, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Implement procurement routes and carry out tendering processes in accordance with construction industry practices.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Procurement routes and tender processes follow published industry practice, which software can set up and run through.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing information from inspections or visits
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at information, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Analyse information from inspections or visits to buildings, land and construction sites.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (52–60 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Turning inspection notes and site data into analysis is exactly the kind of desk work software does well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Assisting senior managers with legal and contractual issues in a construction project
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at senior managers, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Assist senior managers with legal and contractual issues in a construction project.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Contract clauses and legal points are well documented, so first-pass analysis for managers is largely desk research.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Contributing to the mitigation of disputes using accurate records
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at the mitigation of disputes, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Contribute to the mitigation of disputes using accurate records.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping accurate records and marshalling them into evidence is document work software already does well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at responses, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Identify, analyse and develop responses to commercial risks.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Commercial risk registers and mitigation options follow familiar patterns that software drafts well from project data.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Managing competitive tendering exercises
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at competitive tendering exercises, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Manage competitive tendering exercises.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Tender documents, queries and bid comparison are structured paperwork that software handles well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Receiving and implementing project instructions from clients to ensure accurate cost and property assessments
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at project instructions, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Receive and implement project instructions from clients to ensure accurate cost and property assessments.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Taking an instruction and working up the cost assessment is structured, documented work software does well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Conducting special studies to develop standard hour and related cost data
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at special studies, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 60 · 2453/00
Source: “Conduct special studies to develop standard hour and related cost data.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 51 out of 100 (44–58 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Working out standard hours and cost data is analysis, though gathering it can mean watching the work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Conducting feasibility studies to ensure cost-effectiveness and project success
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at feasibility studies, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Conduct feasibility studies to ensure cost-effectiveness and project success.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 49 out of 100 (42–56 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Feasibility work is modelling and comparison, though site and market context still needs a surveyor's check.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Evaluating the progress of construction projects to ensure alignment with project timelines
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at the progress of construction projects, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Evaluate the progress of construction projects to ensure alignment with project timelines.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Comparing progress against a programme is documented, data-driven work, though someone usually walks the site to check.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Optimising resource allocation and workflow to enhance efficiency in construction projects
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at resource allocation, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Optimise resource allocation and workflow to enhance efficiency in construction projects.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Scheduling and resource models are classic optimisation work, though the constraints come from what is happening on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Using gathered information to advise clients effectively
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at gathered information, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Use gathered information to advise clients effectively.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 46 out of 100 (39–53 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: The advice itself drafts easily from project data, but clients buy it from a person they trust.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Utilising quantification and costing principles to manage construction works and assist in financial control of projects
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at quantification, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Utilise quantification and costing principles to manage construction works and assist in financial control of projects.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 42 out of 100 (35–49 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Measurement and costing follow published rules, though financial control still involves site checks and discussion with the team.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Liaising with suppliers and clients to manage project costs
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles suppliers and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Liaise with suppliers and clients to manage project costs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 35 out of 100 (28–42 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Emails and cost trackers help, but getting suppliers and clients to move on price depends on the working relationship.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Tracking stages of construction progress
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: stages of construction progress, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Track stages of construction progress.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 33 out of 100 (26–40 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Progress tracking uses standard measures, but confirming what has actually been built means walking the site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Advising clients on resolving contractual claims and disputes
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles clients and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Advise clients on resolving contractual claims and disputes.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 31 out of 100 (24–38 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Claims analysis leans on private project records, and settling a dispute depends on trust between the people arguing.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Selecting contractors and managers for projects
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles contractors and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Select contractors and managers for projects.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 31 out of 100 (24–38 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Scoring bids is mechanical, but choosing who to work with rests on judgement about people and past experience.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Liaising with others, construction managers, planners and designing teams
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles others, construction managers, planners and designing teams and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Liaise with others including construction managers, planners and design teams.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Coordinating with construction managers, planners and designers runs on live conversation and negotiation.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Discussing changes and adjustments to cost estimates with engineers
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles changes and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Discuss changes and adjustments to cost estimates with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Talking through changes with engineers, architects and clients depends on live discussion and give-and-take.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Collecting and analysing data to map the land for civil engineering and construction projects
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: data, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 2453/00
Source: “Collect and analyse data to map the land for civil engineering and construction projects.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Mapping and analysis are digital, but the measuring still happens out on the site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Conducting negotiations to secure favourable terms for contracts
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles negotiations and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Conduct negotiations to secure favourable terms for contracts.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 28 out of 100 (21–35 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Negotiating contract terms depends on live give and take with the other side.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Managing risk and value during construction projects
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles risk and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Manage risk and value during construction projects.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Risk registers and value options draft easily, but steering a project through them means persuading the people involved.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Assisting in establishing a client's requirements
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles establishing a client's requirements and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Assist in establishing a client's requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Question sets help, but drawing out what a client actually wants happens in conversation, often on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Negotiating contracts with customers and suppliers for construction projects
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles contracts and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Negotiate contracts with customers and suppliers for construction projects.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Draft terms come easily, but construction contract negotiation turns on live give and take with the other side.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Advising clients on issues, property boundary disputes
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles clients and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 2453/00
Source: “Advise clients on issues such as property boundary disputes.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 23 out of 100 (16–30 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Boundary disputes turn on old deeds, plans and local history, and clients need reassuring through a stressful process.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: health, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 2453/00
Source: “Adhere to health and safety requirements in the workplace.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 18 out of 100 (11–25 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Health and safety rules are written down, but following them on a live site is something a person does.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Resolving problems and issues that arise during construction
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: problems, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 2453/00
Source: “Resolve problems and issues that arise during construction.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 18 out of 100 (11–25 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Fixing problems on a live construction job usually means being there and working it out with people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Recording site information on access
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: site information, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 2453/00
Source: “Record site information on access, drainage, topography, and utility service availability.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (6–20 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Recording access, drainage and services means going to the site and looking at it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Managing the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the work of subcontractors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 2453/00
Source: “Manage the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 11 out of 100 (4–18 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Getting quality out of subcontractors means being on site and managing people face to face.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay: £52,500a year, before tax, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.ashe-t14, 2025 · ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
How we know this
Source: ashe-t14
Reference period: ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)
Rounding: Shown to the nearest £100. The exact published figure is in the downloadable dataset. We do not render pounds the survey cannot support.
People doing this job: 45,300in the UK, 2026.nomis-aps · Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period)This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: cost estimates in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: reviewing and updating knowledge on various building contracts to ensure current practices and developing cost estimates and analysing quotes from subcontractors and suppliers. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where health gets done. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

Your week is splitting in two, and which half fills it is the whole question. Reviewing and updating knowledge on various building contracts to ensure current practices is going; adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace is not.

So, given all that: 36% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 30% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 34% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 57 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

The occupation is an average and you are not, so the first job below is finding out where your own week actually sits.

This week: one thing

Print the task ledger above and put your own hours next to each row. Roughly, in pen, in one sitting. Then look at which group your hours actually pile up in. Twenty minutes, this week.

What you end up holding: your own week, on one page, sorted into what is shifting and what is not
How long it takes: about twenty minutes

If printing it isn’t practical: Read the rows off this page and write the same list on the back of an envelope. Same twenty minutes, same page, and it works just as well said out loud to someone who knows the job. The point is your hours next to the rows, not the paper it is on.

Over the next 90 days

Volunteer toward the durable end, visibly. Over the next ninety days put your hand up for the work in the bottom group (adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace) and let people see you doing it. Not a new project: the same job, with your mix deliberately tilted. The point is that when the rota or the reorganisation comes, the version of you people picture is the one doing the part that stays.

Over the next 12 months

Claim a specialism at the durable end and let the other end go. Over a year, deliberately become the person who handles adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace, and deliberately stop being the first choice for the rows in the top group. That trade costs something, because the exposed work is often the comfortable work. Decide it on purpose rather than by drift. Before you pay for anything, spend an hour with National Careers Service. It is free and government-funded, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest UK occupations to quantity surveyors (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was purchasing managers and directors: only about 20% of its durable work is work you already do. Your own job splits about 36/64: that share of the list sits in the top exposure band and the rest does not. On this evidence the honest move is inside the job rather than out of it. Become the person who owns “adhere to building regulations”, and let the exposed end go.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 412 UK occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

Purchasing managers and directors
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “resolve problems and issues that arise during construction”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 20% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 20% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Production managers and directors in construction
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “assess the value of completed work”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 8% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 8% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Chartered surveyors
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “collect and analyse data to map the land for civil engineering and construction projects”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 8% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 8% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. It is a pay cut, in those words: £46,184 against your £52,537, 12.1% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

The headline number you read somewhere
The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 36% of its task weight, across 57 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.
The whole-job doom story
Nothing on this page says this job ends. It says the mix inside it moves. Half the rows above are unchanged or changing shape, and the plan is about which half your week sits in. That is a very different problem, and a solvable one.
Panic-buying a course
Do the twenty-minute sorting exercise first. Most people who buy a course before they have done it buy the wrong one, and the free services listed below will tell you the same thing without charging for it.
The “obvious” next job everyone suggests
I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United Kingdom figures

The United States splits this work across more than one official group, of which Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United States page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In US official statistics this job is counted as Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers, Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors, Materials Engineers, Nuclear Engineers and Engineers, All Other. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

In England:
National Careers Service
A free hour with a government-funded careers adviser is worth more than another evening of reading. In England that's the National Careers Service.
Free, government-funded
- Discover your skills and careers (the skills assessment)
In England:
National Careers Service - Find a course
Search what's actually running near you before you spend anything.
Free to search; individual courses vary
In England:
Free courses for jobs (Level 3 qualifications)
A free Level 3 qualification you already qualify for beats a paid course you don't need.
Free for eligible adults
In England:
Skills Bootcamps
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In Scotland:
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No Space for this job, but one for what is happening to it

Nothing Collab365 runs is built for quantity surveyors, and we are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

There is one that is not about a job title at all. The AI Authority is about being the person who directs these tools at work rather than the person they get compared to. That is worth saying here, because 36% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.

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7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.

The AI Authority is a general community about working with AI, not a course for quantity surveyors. You do not need it to act on anything here: the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own. The data on this page is the same either way.

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No Space for quantity surveyors yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

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Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for quantity surveyors existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

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No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Quantity surveyors?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 57 official task statements scored for Quantity surveyors (United Kingdom, SOC 2453), 36% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 52 out of 100 (range 46–59, band: partial). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Quantity surveyors” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Prepare cost and expenditure statements at regular intervals for the project” (93/100, very high); “Record income and expenditure on a construction project” (93/100, very high); “Prepare analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making” (93/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Quantity surveyors” stay human?: About 34% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Manage the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control” (11/100, minimal); “Record site information on access, drainage, topography, and utility service availability” (13/100, minimal); “Resolve problems and issues that arise during construction” (18/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Quantity surveyors” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 36% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 34% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Quantity surveyors calculated?: Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 57 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.
The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
20 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Task statements: gaisi-indexProcessing: catalogue-bridge → ssc-relatedness-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights: gaisi-index (relatedness)
Scores: Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-05.
Pay and employment: ashe-t14 (ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025))nomis-aps (Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

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Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.