Elliot Goulding on QS Recruitment, AI in Construction and the Future of Hiring

Summary

In this episode of This Is Surveying, I’m joined by Elliot Goulding, QS recruiter and Director of ProBuild Recruitment.

We talk about the current state of quantity surveying recruitment in the UK, why flexibility matters more than ever, and how AI is already reshaping construction businesses.

If you’re a quantity surveyor, a hiring manager, or a student looking to enter the profession, this conversation will give you practical insight into what is happening right now and what could be coming next.

What We Cover

• Why QSs are one of the hardest roles to recruit in construction
• The shift towards freelance and flexible working
• How employers can retain commercial teams
• The risk of a mid-level skills gap
• AI in construction and surveying
• Using automation to improve efficiency
• Hard Hat AI and digital transformation in construction
• The impact of regulation and Gateway delays
  Market outlook for 2026

Useful Links

Hard Hat AI

Guest Bio

Elliot Goulding is a specialist QS recruiter and Director of ProBuild Recruitment. With over 16 years in construction recruitment, Elliot works closely with main contractors and subcontractors across the UK, focusing on quantity surveying and commercial management roles from graduate to director level. He launched ProBuild Recruitment just before COVID and has since built a reputation for strategic hiring advice, market insight, and long term partnerships with construction businesses. He is also the founder of Hard Hat AI, a service helping firms use AI in construction and automation to improve efficiency and stay competitive.

Guest Links

Elliot Goulding – LinkedIn
ProBuild Recruitment

If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Visit the Surveying Room.

Connect with me – Nina Young on LinkedIn