Freelance Quantity Surveyor MEP

Senior MEP Quantity Surveyor

Location: London

Sector: Commercial Fit-Out

The Opportunity

An established construction and fit-out contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Senior MEP Quantity Surveyor to join its commercial team on a major commercial fit-out project in Central London. This is a key appointment for a commercially astute individual with a strong background in building services, subcontract procurement and commercial management. The successful candidate will take ownership of a substantial MEP package, valued at approximately £35m, playing a central role in procurement strategy, subcontract negotiations and the commercial delivery of the works. The position offers the opportunity to work on a high-value, technically complex project within a fast-paced commercial fit-out environment, working closely with project leadership, building services teams and the wider commercial function.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Subcontract Management

• Lead the procurement of a major MEP subcontract package, from initial tender enquiry through to final appointment.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies in line with project requirements, commercial objectives and programme deadlines.
• Prepare and issue tender documentation, manage tender returns and undertake detailed commercial analysis.
• Review and assess subcontractor quotations, identifying scope gaps, qualifications, exclusions and commercial risks.
• Lead commercial negotiations with specialist MEP subcontractors to secure competitive and commercially robust agreements.
• Ensure subcontract scopes are clearly defined, coordinated and aligned with the wider project requirements.
• Manage tender clarifications, value engineering opportunities and procurement recommendations.
• Work closely with the project and technical teams to ensure procurement decisions support programme, quality and delivery objectives.

Commercial Management

• Take responsibility for the commercial management of MEP subcontract packages throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor contractual commitments, cost movements, variations and potential commercial exposures.
• Review and assess applications for payment, valuations and variations, ensuring accuracy and contractual compliance.
• Manage change control processes, including the assessment and negotiation of subcontractor variations and additional works.
• Identify, manage and mitigate commercial risks, maintaining accurate cost reporting and forecasting.
• Support the preparation of cost reports, financial forecasts and commercial updates for senior management.
• Assist with final account negotiations and the timely close-out of subcontract packages.

Project & Stakeholder Coordination

• Work collaboratively with project managers, MEP managers, design teams and the wider commercial team.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, consultants and key project stakeholders.
• Ensure commercial activities remain aligned with construction programmes, design development and procurement schedules.
• Provide commercial advice and recommendations to the project leadership team.
• Support the resolution of contractual, technical and commercial issues as they arise.

About You

• Proven experience as a Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor within MEP, mechanical and electrical subcontracting, or a main contractor environment.
• Strong experience procuring and commercially managing substantial MEP packages.
• Background working on commercial fit-out, CAT A / CAT B, office refurbishment or other complex commercial construction projects.
• Demonstrable experience managing subcontract procurement, tender analysis, scope reviews and commercial negotiations.
• Strong understanding of MEP subcontract packages, building services scope and associated commercial risks.
• Good knowledge of subcontract terms, variations, valuations, change control and final accounts.
• Commercially astute, detail-oriented and confident negotiating with specialist subcontractors.
• Able to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with project and commercial teams.
• Strong communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be an experienced MEP commercial professional who can take ownership of a significant package, lead procurement negotiations and provide robust commercial management from tender through to final account.

Experience on large-scale commercial fit-out projects is highly desirable, particularly where procurement strategy, subcontractor engagement and cost control are critical to successful project delivery.