Why Quantity Surveyors Must Prioritise Their Wellbeing
At Intersect Global, we work closely with Quantity Surveyors at every stage of their careers—from Assistant QS to Commercial Director. One thing we see consistently across the profession is the pressure to deliver: tight deadlines, complex commercial requirements, intense reporting cycles and stakeholder demands that never stop.
This is why National Self-Care Week is so important for our industry. It’s a reminder that while the work QSs do is critical, your wellbeing is equally essential to long-term professional success.
This year’s theme, “Choosing Self-Care for Life”, couldn’t be more relevant. Sustainable commercial leadership starts with sustainable personal practices.
The Reality of Being a QS: High Responsibility, High Pressure
Quantity Surveyors operate at the centre of cost, risk, change, commercial strategy and contractual compliance. The workload can be intense:
- Monthly CVRs and forecasting cycles
- Contract administration obligations
- Compensation events, variations & change management
- Stakeholder expectations from clients, subcontractors and internal leadership
- Long project cycles with continual commercial oversight
- High levels of financial accountability
- The pressure to be accurate—and fast
These demands make QSs more susceptible to stress, burnout, overworking and poor work–life balance.
National Self-Care Week is a chance to pause and re-evaluate the habits that protect your wellbeing and performance.
Self-Care for QSs: Practical Habits That Actually Work
1. Protect Your Focus and Downtime
The QS workload is often reactive. Inbox overload is real. Building boundaries—switching off after hours where feasible—prevents burnout and improves decision-making.
2. Take Breaks During Reporting Cycles
Month-end and period-end are high-pressure periods. Short breaks help maintain accuracy and reduce errors when you’re deep in CVRs or final accounts.
3. Move Your Body, Especially on Office-Heavy Days
A lot of QS work is desk-based. Even a 10-minute walk resets concentration levels and boosts problem-solving clarity.
4. Speak Up About Workload Early
Commercial teams are lean. When pressures build, raising concerns early isn’t negativity—it’s professionalism. It prevents missed deadlines and protects both you and the project.
5. Ask for Support or Mentorship
Many QSs work towards APC, internal promotions, or stepping into leadership roles. Seeking guidance is a strength that accelerates growth and reduces stress.
6. Use Your Annual Leave Properly
Rested QSs are sharper, more analytical and more commercially aware. Your performance improves significantly when you take genuine downtime.
How Employers Can Support QS Wellbeing
Healthy commercial teams perform better. Employers play a vital role by:
- Balancing workloads during peak reporting cycles
- Offering clear APC support
- Encouraging structured development pathways
- Promoting realistic deadlines
- Providing mental-health resources
- Creating open, approachable management culture
When QS’s feel supported, accuracy goes up, risk reduces, and commercial outcomes improve.
Intersect Global’s Commitment to the Quantity Surveying Profession
At Intersect Global, we understand the unique pressures faced by Quantity Surveyors. We support your career holistically, not just by matching you to roles, but by helping you build long-term, sustainable success.
National Self-Care Week is a powerful reminder:
You can’t deliver commercially outstanding projects if you’re running on empty.
Wellbeing isn’t optional; it’s part of being an effective commercial professional.
This week, we encourage every QS, from graduate to commercial lead—to choose at least one self-care habit to carry forward. A thriving QS is a high-performing QS, and that benefits projects, teams and careers across the industry.
