Meet the surveyors: Marc Tate

As well as surveying properties in and around Sussex, we like to grow long-lasting relationships with our clients. So to help you get to know our team, here are a few words from our Building Surveyor and Company Director, Marc Tate.

When did you decide to become a surveyor?

Believe it or not, I decided to be a surveyor at the age of thirteen. Where other classmates had chosen careers as a vet, acrobat or astronaut, my decision was somewhat influenced by my father who had already studied as a surveyor. While the term “surveyor” may confuse most teenagers, I found it vaguely fascinating and decided that’s the path I wanted to pursue. Since that day, I’ve never looked back.

What are some misconceptions about property surveying?

I suppose the most common misconception is a property surveyor can conduct a structural survey. Although we cover many aspects of a property during a survey, we don’t check the foundations, beams and bones of a building. That type of work should be completed by a structural engineer.

Another misconception is property surveys are not necessary. In some instances, this might be true. But it all comes down to risk management and whether an untrained eye can detect problems hidden in a property. If you want to be sure about what you’re buying, a property survey is a smart move. Yes, it all adds to the expense of moving home. But it could potentially give you leverage on an asking price and save you a fortune on unforeseen repairs.

Why is it beneficial to use a local property surveyor?

By using a local surveyor, you’re getting local property knowledge beyond the standard surveying checklist. Damp, bungaroosh, specialist building materials – all these things could be easily missed by someone who’s not familiar with the architecture and historic building methods of local areas. By using a local surveyor, you also have a contact who’s close by for surveying support whenever you need it. Our clients really appreciate this aspect of our service, and we’re always happy to offer advice whenever it’s needed.

What can a client expect from your property survey reports?

Where some surveyors may use a tablet with a standard tick-box template, we prefer to do things differently. With each report, our clients can expect a hundred or more photographs with supporting notes detailing what we’ve surveyed. The level of depth really helps potential buyers make an informed decision before they commit to a purchase.

Weather permitting, we also use a drone to get a detailed view of the roof condition and whether it needs remedial work. Anything we spot or any considerations we have for the client are collated in our report.

Get in touch

If you’d like to learn more about our surveying processes or want to book a property survey, call our team on 01273 031646. We’d be glad to help.