Choosing the right surveying firm
BuyingSurveying
The surveyor’s regulatory body is the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Whilst there is no requirement for a building surveying firm to be regulated, it is usually a good sign that firms are meeting certain set standards.
That is not to say that unregulated practitioners are all bad; there are some very good ones operating in specialist areas, but it is worth doing your research, reviewing feedback and asking for recommendations.
Local vs national building surveying firm
There are surveying firms who have a national presence, and others who are local. There is nothing wrong, in principle, with appointing a national building surveying firm. But you should make sure that the surveyor inspecting the property is familiar with the local area and the specific types of property found there.
Local knowledge can be very useful when it comes to surveys and a local person is far more likely to be familiar with unique construction types, local area characteristics and conditions.
Listed buildings or non-standard construction
If you are buying specialist building such as a Listed Building or a non-standard construction, you should make sure that the surveyor has particular experience with those types of buildings. These buildings can have specific legislation or rules covering them. It is therefore important to know that your surveyor has the appropriate knowledge to undertake the survey.
Sometimes it may even be necessary to contact an engineer or an historic buildings specialist who may be able to advise you better than a surveyor could.
Do your research
Most importantly, we recommend you do adequate research on firms. We recommend obtaining at least three quotes, but choosing the cheapest is not always your best option. Make sure you ask questions, read reviews and know what you are getting for your money.
Expertise often comes at a price, so if your property is more complex and the price seems too good to be true, you should make sure you question exactly what the surveyor is going to do for you. You should also make sure you are comparing like-with-like, so know which type of survey you need is important.
