Pezz361356

Hi all,

I think this forum is going to my new best friend, there's so much helpful information on here, I'm hoping that some members can help me out and give me some guidance.

I'm a MRICS MEP QS with 5+ years experience from the UK.

I'm trying to get a gauge on what the likely all-in salary expectations should be out in the UAE.

I've been interviewed by a PQS company and they said an offer would be circa AED 25k per month all in.

Is this reasonable for someone of my experience / qualifications?

Does anyone know any other MEP QS's out in the UAE currently for advise?

Any feedback would be most appreciated.

Regards,

Perry

jackthehat

Double that, and you might be getting close! - Which company? - Because it will have a bearing on Terms & Conditions, etc.

Pezz361356

A certain large UK based PQS company recently bought by a huge American based multi-national....I'll give you one guess....

I'll be honest I was under the thought of something a little more. But double really?

I don't see all that many jobs for people like me over there, I wouldn't class myself as senior just yet, even though I'm MRICS etc...

jackthehat

If you are Chartered, working for a PQS Company, your time will be charged back at a Premium. They are giving the Client a Boffin and paying you peanuts! - They are taking the Piss (Honestly)

Pezz361356

Just to make it clear they were indicating roughly 300k AED annually all-in package, just in case I typed it wrong previously.

Know any jobs going then? haha

jackthehat

Your sums are quite correct, but UK Expats do not work for that money any more! Jobs are hard to find here, and you might find that you are replacing a more expensive member of staff, who has been given the boot!

I worked for another large consultancy which was absorbed by an American Conglomerate. I had been there for six years running the office in Dubai and Manila. Then overnight, I was told that 'We are not doing Architecture!'

Things aint what they used to be!

soukie

This was the going rate in 1995. However, we know some people in UAE who have been made redundant and have been offered this type of deal. You should walk away from it - they tell you it's tax free but life in UAE is expensive so any tax you "save" will soon be spent and more if you have kids!

Pezz361356

Thank you Soukie,

I don't have any kids, however I am engaged, my partner is also a QS, however she works on the contractor's side.

If anyone has any contacts it would be appreciated.

Bahtatboy

They'll expect you to negotiate, so go do it. However, they do have a reputation but they're serious guys.

Pezz361356

Thanks Bahtatboy. I really have no idea what I should be aiming for when it comes to the negotiating side of things that's the problem, I don't want to ask for more then have them turn around and go you're being completely unrealistic.

Bahtatboy

Salary/package negotiations are best done face-to-face. Looks like they've already set a figure, which is good because at least you know the starting point and it won't go down from there. PM me if you want some more advice.

WakeUp

Perry,

I work very closely with MEP PQS's and so can speak with experience of working on a large Dubai based project.

You will presumably know that as an MEP QS Chartership makes little or no difference, the important aspect is your experience.

5years is not a lot of experience. And whilst large salaries were the order of the day in 2008 they are not today. The offer of AED25k is light though.

At your level I would expect to get about AED32-35k all in.

Bear in mind that depending on your chosen lifestyle here the cost of living can be expensive.

As an aside I see that your partner is a QS on the Contracting side, you can expect a slightly higher salary on the Contracting side.

Good luck and I hope that you can maximise your negotiation, be mind full that there are few positions and many candidates at the moment.

Regards,

WakeUp

Pezz361356

Thank you WakeUp,

I have to say from the impressions I was getting I did think that was more in line with what other people were telling me they were on etc..

I think based on my expenses and the costs I know I will incur over there, I need to be looking at 30-32k per month or higher really.

WakeUp

No worries Pezz, its a tricky one you need to push to get enough but not too much to price yourself out.

Also be wary if anyone starts talking about bonuses etc. We've been out here for 3 years with out bonuses or pay rises, maybe we have just been unlucky. one of the problems is that alot of the positions available now are for similar money with longer hours. Alot of companies want 6 day weeks, its up to you whether a bit more money is worth that.

As someone has already said people who came out say 5 years ago are on much more money, but a few in our company have been let go for this very reason.

WakeUp

Mullet

Pezz,

The merger this company has undergone has led to them having a very high amount of QS staff in the Middle East as the parent group now brings the various QS firms they have into one business line. I know people who are on notice and others who are getting pay rises / promotions, all depends on the status of the projects you are involved in. There is no such thing as a safe construction project here!

The salary is low, if it is workable for you will depend on your personal circumstances, if you are young free and single then it may suit, but if you're bringing dependants or need to fund a mortgage in the UK you'll need better a salary (either way you want be putting much money away each month once you have deducted for rent, car, flights and socialising).

You don't sound too far off from being an SQS in terms of experience and qualifications, maybe you should push to come out here at SQS level (AED35k min). If your good and don't get stuck out on some site in the middle of nowhere there are still good opportunities and the pay isn't bad at higher levels, but at the lower grades you compete with sub-continent and filipino staff who will work for a lot less.

By the way, are you employed in the UK? Be careful if you are thinking of giving up a position to move here.