How Do I Find a Trusted RICS Property Surveyor Near Me?

Buying a property is one of the largest financial decisions most people will ever make. So when it comes to choosing a surveyor, the question of who to trust really matters, and here is what you need to ask and consider when finding your property professional.

Questions to ask your property surveyor before you hire

In order to establish trust with your property surveyor, and to know if it is well placed, there are some simple questions you can ask.

Before instructing a property surveyor, it is worth asking:

• Is the surveyor experienced with the type of property you are buying? Older homes, period properties, and new builds all have different survey considerations. 

• Will they produce a written report? 

• What level of survey are they recommending and why? 

• Are they independent, with no financial relationship to the estate agent or seller?

Red flags to watch for

Be cautious of surveyors who are reluctant to discuss their experience and who offer unusually low fees without explanation, or who cannot give you a clear timeline for delivering your report. A survey that is rushed or formulaic may miss the very issues you are paying to find out about.

Also be wary of pressure to use a surveyor recommended by an estate agent without doing your own research. Estate agents can absolutely recommend surveyors, but it is important to compare these against independent companies for true transparency.

What does RICS accreditation mean?

If you have found yourself searching for "RICS surveyor near me," it's an important factor to consider.

RICS stands for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the internationally recognised professional body for property and construction professionals. A surveyor who holds RICS accreditation has met rigorous standards of education, experience and professional conduct. They are also bound by a code of ethics and subject to ongoing regulation, which means you have a clear route for complaint or redress if things go wrong.

Not everyone who works as a "property surveyor" holds RICS accreditation. The title is not legally protected in the same way as, say, a medical qualification, which is exactly why verifying experience, training and credentials matters.

Why a local, family-run firm makes a difference

At Bramptons and Son, we are a family-run, RICS-accredited surveying firm serving Surrey and Greater London. We are transparent about our qualifications, our experience, the process and what our reports cover. We do not do formulaic tick-box surveys as every report we produce is written by a qualified surveyor with genuine local knowledge of the area and property types you are dealing with.

Instructing a property surveyor you can trust

When you instruct Bramptons and Son, you know exactly who is carrying out your survey and what you are getting. If you have questions before, during or after, we are here to answer them.

Want to talk to a local RICS surveyor you can trust? Get in touch today.