When do you need a chartered building surveyor?
The UK property market is huge. In the developed world, property and land are by far the biggest assets most of us own. And mortgage repayments or rent are by far our biggest expense.
Given so much money involved, profits to be made, or losses incurred, it is important to make the right decisions. With a plethora of rules, regulations and legislation also to navigate, taking sound advice becomes a no-brainer.
So, who should you turn to? Of all the main property professions – architects, estate agents, structural engineers – chartered building surveyors have the broadest knowledge of the land and property markets, and, in most cases, they are the obvious first stop.
What is a chartered building surveyor?
A chartered building surveyor has a degree in surveying and solid knowledge of the property market. On top of this, they have undergone 24 months specialist training, monitored by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), before passing the “Assessment of Professional Competence”. As a result, they are required to conduct any business abiding by the professional and ethical standards of the institution.
Different surveyors for different specialisms
The breadth and complexity of the property market is such that many surveyors specialise in specific areas, so it can be challenging when searching for right surveyor for you. Hence we have valuation surveyors, quantity surveyors, commercial property surveyors, environmental surveyors to name but a few. All of them chartered, all of them with a broad knowledge of the land and property market as well as their specialist subject.
The all-rounder among surveyors is the chartered building surveyor with a strong skillset in the following:
- Detailed inspections of properties (residential and commercial) to assess their condition.
- Diagnosis of defects in buildings and advising on remedial action/ongoing maintenance.
- Project management, overseeing building projects, large or small, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget and to specification.
- Advising on current building regulations and health and safety requirements.
- Assessing and negotiating dilapidations – the amount payable by a tenant at the end of a lease to re-instate a building to its previous condition.
- Party wall dispute resolution over neighbours’ shared walls and boundaries.
- Advice on and submission of Planning Applications to the local planning authority.
A chartered building surveyor’s workload often overlaps into other areas. For example, if hired to project manage a big residential extension, they will probably have a hand in the building design, and more than a hand in obtaining planning consent. They will also advise on the use of eco-friendly building materials, specify the quantities of each item required, and give the client a detailed budget costing for the project. Where requested, they might also provide a before-and-after valuation of the property.
With such a breadth of knowledge, no matter what your property problem, issue or project, your local chartered building surveyor can give you sound advice, help you avoid any pitfalls, and take care of a whole lot of hassle for you.
If you have any questions about chartered building surveyors, or would like to book a survey, get in touch by calling 01273 031646. We’d be glad to help.
