With hundreds of surveyors operating across the UK, choosing the right one requires a bit of due diligence. This guide covers the seven essential checks before you instruct anyone.
1. Check Their RICS Membership
For building surveys, HomeBuyer Reports and property valuations, your surveyor should hold RICS membership (MRICS or FRICS). You can verify this directly at rics.org/find-a-member using their name. For EPC assessors, verify their accreditation with one of the government-approved schemes (Elmhurst, Stroma, NAEA). For asbestos surveyors, check UKAS accreditation.
2. Confirm They Know Your Area
A surveyor who works regularly in your area will have better knowledge of local construction types, common defects, and comparable property values. Ask specifically whether they regularly survey properties similar to yours in your location.
3. Read Their Reviews
Look for verified reviews on their Surveys Near Me profile, Google or Trustpilot. Pay particular attention to comments about communication (do they respond quickly?), thoroughness (did the report identify issues?), and report quality (was it clear and useful?).
4. Ask About Their Report Format
Before committing, ask to see a sample report or section. A good survey report explains issues clearly in plain English, provides photographic evidence, and gives you actionable guidance — not just a list of condition ratings. Some Level 3 reports run to 80+ pages; others barely cover 20. Content matters more than length, but a very short Level 3 report is a red flag.
5. Check What’s Included in the Fee
Confirm whether VAT is included, whether a follow-up call is offered, what the standard turnaround time is, and what the fee for expedited delivery would be. For Level 3 surveys, confirm whether indicative repair cost estimates are included.
6. Verify Their Insurance
All regulated surveyors must hold Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance. This protects you if you suffer a financial loss as a result of a negligent survey. Ask for confirmation that their PI insurance is current before instructing.
7. Compare at Least Two Quotes
Prices for the same type of survey can vary by 30–50% between surveyors. Cost is only one factor — but there is rarely a good reason to pay significantly more than market rates without a compelling justification. Use Surveys Near Me to compare verified surveyors and get quotes from two or three before deciding.