It’s a phrase I’ve heard countless times over the years, and one that has directly influenced many surveyors to turn down opportunities with smaller firms in favour of large corporate consultancies.
However in my 20 years of experience, I think this belief is largely a myth.
What Actually Happens in the Surveying Market
The majority of firms that are forced to make redundancies are large businesses.
That isn’t because they’re badly run – it’s because they:
- Have to act quickly when markets change
- Carry higher fixed costs
- Make decisions at exec or board level, often far removed from day-to-day teams and they have no personal relationship with those affected
Why Size Doesn’t Equal Security
In large surveying firms:
- Headcount is often managed in percentages
- Roles can be duplicated across offices or regions
- Restructures happen frequently, especially after mergers or leadership changes
This means job security can be more fragile than it appears.
The Other Side of the Coin
Smaller firms aren’t immune to risk, but they operate differently.
When markets tighten, many smaller practices:
- Know exactly who generates fees
- Have direct relationships with their people
- Are more inclined to protect experienced surveyors
- Are aware how challenging it is to re-recruit when the market picks up
Losing one surveyor can have a disproportionate impact, which often leads to greater effort to retain staff rather than make quick cuts.
Big Firms Still Have Real Benefits
This isn’t an argument against large companies.
They can offer:
- Excellent training and structure
- Exposure to major clients and projects
- Scope for progression
- Broader benefits peaks which aren’t always offered by smaller firms (private healthcare, life assurance, enhanced pensions etc)
But in my view, perceived job security shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing between a large or small firm.
What Actually Creates Security
True career security in surveying comes from:
- Being fee-generating
- Having in-demand or specialist skills
- Building strong client relationships or be able to generate business
- Being adaptable and prepared to do whatever work is required at the time
These factors matter far more than the size of the business you work for.
Final Thought
Whether a large firm or a smaller practice is right for you depends on many factors – career goals, culture, learning opportunities, and lifestyle among them.
But if you’re choosing a large company purely for job security, it’s worth challenging that assumption.
What’s your experience – does size really equal stability in your view?
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