M&E Quantity Surveyor Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Before your M&E Quantity Surveyor interview, it helps to see the questions from the interviewer's side. We have picked eight from our set of 12 and added the reason each one gets asked.

Eight M&E Quantity Surveyor interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. How do you measure and price mechanical and electrical services, and which measurement rules do you work to?

Why they ask: M&E measurement differs from building work, and they want to see practical knowledge of the discipline.

2. How do you value M&E work for interim payments, including materials on site and off site?

Why they ask: Valuations drive cash flow and risk, and they want to see accuracy and contract awareness.

3. The M&E subcontractor submits a large variation claim, saying the design was revised after tender. How do you assess it?

Why they ask: Variation management is a core financial skill, and they want to see fairness, evidence and contract awareness.

4. How do you develop an M&E cost plan at early design stage, and what typically drives M&E costs?

Why they ask: M&E is often a third or more of a building's cost, so accurate early budgeting is valuable.

5. Tell me about a time you identified an overvaluation or discrepancy in an M&E application for payment.

Why they ask: They want evidence of rigour and willingness to challenge a subcontractor while keeping the relationship.

6. How do you deal with contractor's designed portions, provisional sums and prime cost sums within M&E packages?

Why they ask: These items cause many final account disputes, so they test contractual and commercial understanding.

7. A subcontractor asks for payment for chillers stored at the manufacturer's warehouse but not yet delivered. How do you respond?

Why they ask: Off-site payment is a classic risk area, and they want to see protective thinking.

8. Why do you want to work as an M&E quantity surveyor, and what does the role involve day to day?

Why they ask: They want to see interest in the specialism and understanding of the work.

A sample answer to question 1

How do you measure and price mechanical and electrical services, and which measurement rules do you work to?

M&E packages are often procured on a design and build basis with performance specifications, so full bills of quantities are less common than for building work. Where measurement is needed, I use NRM2 for detailed measurement of building works, with M&E items measured following the principles in documents such as the Principles of Measurement International (POMI) and the Standard Method of Measurement for M&E services, adapted to the project. In practice I take off from the design drawings and schematics: ductwork by area or weight, pipework by length and diameter, valves, plant, containment, cabling, luminaires, fire alarm devices, controls and BMS points. I include fixings, supports, insulation, testing, commissioning and builder's work in connection. Rates come from benchmarked data, supplier quotes and subcontractor feedback, with allowances for access, height and programme. At earlier stages I use elemental or cost per square metre rates, for instance for ventilation or electrical power, and sense-check them against similar completed buildings. I always record assumptions and exclusions.

Common mistake to avoid: Using building measurement rules for services; Missing testing and commissioning costs

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 12 questions are on the M&E Quantity Surveyor interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.