Robster

Hi all,

new to forum, although had a quick read through some of the posts and found it very useful.

I've been considering a move to Dubai for a year or two and have finally made a serious attempt to sort something out.

Right....

I'm a degree qualified contractors QS with about 10 years experience on a vast range of construction projects - later year or two as a senior surveyor, 30 years old, single.

I have looked primarlily at agency adverts for full time employment, most offering house, car, flights, medical insurance/ Health care

A few questions....

Salary expectations?
Any recommendations on package - take house? or housing allowance?
Annual flights?? - how many does this cover?
Driving - do UK points count for anything? Heard the driving's a bit on the wild side!!!
Working Hours? normal working week?
Is the 5 day week becoming more commoplace?
Is communication a problem? i.e. will most of my counterparts likely to be arabic?
What is the culture of the construction industry? is business conducted strictly professionally, or is it more 'wheeling n dealing'?
Weather - in relation to working conditions?
Socialising? Is it like the UK? bars, nightclubs? er....women?
Sports clubs? Football? Rugby?

Any answers/advice appreciated.
Thanks for your help in advance!

littlejimmy

I'm a QS (for my sins). Read my blog for a little taster, and you can drop me a PM if you want a bit more info.

Bob

Welcome to BE

Check out the faq's that is stickied up top because I haven't finished transferring it to the knowledge base wiki yet, but a lot of the questions asked are answered there and in previous posts

MJC

Do a search, we were asked the exact same question a few weeks back.

However

30k/month Salary expectations?
Take House Any recommendations on package - take house? or housing allowance?
usually 1 for you and each of your family Annual flights?? - how many does this cover?
No Driving - do UK points count for anything? Heard the driving's a bit on the wild side!!!
9-6, 5 days/week Working Hours? normal working week?
yes Is the 5 day week becoming more commoplace?
No Is communication a problem? i.e. will most of my counterparts likely to be arabic?
Dunno, Urdu would be an advantage though What is the culture of the construction industry? is business conducted strictly professionally, or is it more 'wheeling n dealing'?
It's hot Weather - in relation to working conditions?
Yes, but the women are much freer and easier (I'm gonna get some stick for that)Socialising? Is it like the UK? bars, nightclubs? er....women?
Both, and cricket Sports clubs? Football? Rugby?

wilko_1984

Hi Guys,

I'm also a Contractor's QS - only been in the business for 3 years, but have moved quickly through the company and am now number 2 on a £35m mixed-use scheme.

Currently - I only have an HNC in Construction. Decided not to go on to the part-time BSc for the time being, although I could take it up again if I choose to do so.

With the project I'm working on due to finish by Xmas 2007, i'm considering my options. Working in the UAE interests me a lot and is possibly something I would love to do in 2008, if possible.

Are there oppourtunities in Dubai for young construction professionals without a degree? Could you recommend any agencies in the UK or UAE that could place me? Would Dubai suit a young, single chap like me?

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Bob

There's a list of agencies in the faq you could check out, but tbh, no degree, only 3 years experience, you probably don't have much chance of getting anything, anything with a package worth making it a go at least, what with all the expenses involved out there.

Good luck with it though