In the dynamic and ever-evolving construction industry, the role of a building surveyor is critical. These professionals provide essential information about the condition and value of properties, aiding buyers, sellers, and financial institutions in making informed decisions. If you aspire to become a house surveyor in the UK in 2024, this article will guide you through the necessary steps and qualifications to embark on this rewarding career path.

Understand the Role of a Building Surveyor

Before diving into the specific requirements, it is crucial to grasp the responsibilities and functions of a house surveyor. Building surveyors travel to construction sites, and or, existing homes to evaluate the condition of properties, identify potential defects or issues, to provide accurate reports to clients. They play a crucial role in property transactions, ensuring transparency, and helping individuals make informed decisions.

In a nutshell, you’ll be:

• Working at height.
• Outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Producing reports to your clients.
• Identifying damages/defects and evaluating structural conditions of properties.
• Spend nights away from home due to travel.

If you plan on going self-employed you may not need a huge amount to get started as your biggest expense will likely be your business car. A basic car service from time to time will help ensure you avoid a potential breakdown on your way to work and upset your clients.

Obtain the Right Qualifications

In the UK, becoming a building surveyor typically requires obtaining the appropriate qualifications. Here are the key steps to pursue:

Education: Consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in surveying, construction, or a related field. Various universities and educational institutions in the UK offer relevant programs. You’ll generally need 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent to enrol.

Accredited Courses: To enhance your prospects, consider completing an accredited surveying course recognized by professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). These courses can provide specialized knowledge and help you gain a competitive edge.

Professional Accreditation: Once you have acquired the necessary education and qualifications, seek professional accreditation. The most recognized accreditation for surveyors in the UK is becoming a Chartered Surveyor, which is awarded by RICS. This designation demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the highest professional standards.

Gain Practical Experience

Practical experience is vital for becoming a competent house surveyor. Consider the following avenues to gain valuable hands-on experience:

Apprenticeships: Some organizations and employers offer apprenticeship schemes in surveying. These programs provide a combination of practical work experience and structured training, allowing you to learn from experienced professionals while earning a salary.

Work Placements and Internships: Seek opportunities to gain work experience through placements or internships with surveying firms or construction companies. This will enable you to understand the day-to-day operations and develop relevant skills.

Conclusion:

Becoming a building surveyor, like many other professions, requires a blend of education, practical experience, and professional accreditation. By obtaining the necessary qualifications, gaining practical experience, and developing the needed skills, you can position yourself for success.

• The photographs may be archived for future use.
• The photographs may be used either for monitoring or for the generation of data.
• The technique is non-intrusive.
• The technique is ideal for recording detail of a complex nature
• A high level of accuracy is achievable.
• The use of digital data ensures total flexibility.
• The level of detail to be extracted may be determined either by the client or the photogrammetrist.
• It is cost-effective.

Surveying & Triangulation

Surveying Equipment

The History Of Surveying And Survey Equipment

Triangulation

• Check Survey,
• Basic Building Survey,
• Standard Building Survey
• Premier Building Survey

Buildings account for almost half of the energy consumption and carbon emissions in the UK. The heating and hot water used in your building can amount to half of all your energy costs. Sitemaster Building software is now being used extensively to produce fast and accurate floor plans to assist Commercial Energy Assessment companies in the production of the new certificates.  

If you need a measured building survey or even several measured building surveys, you have come to the right place. If time is of the essence, or clients time constraints are limited on site, we can accomodate you.

• Measured Building Surveys
• Energy Assessment Drawings
• Floor plans and elevations
• Drawing Validation Surveys
• Check existing drawings
• Land Surveys and Topographical Surveys

Survey Methodology

Surveys are conducted using a hand-held Laser Measure (Leica Disto A6 or Hilti PD38) coupled via ‘Bluetooth†technology to a hand-held microcomputer (Samsung Q1 ULTRA). This approach, which produces the CAD drawing during the survey process, allows us to establish and accurately check all building dimensions while on site. Significant improvements in survey quality are gained using this equipment when compared with traditional survey methods. A precision of ± 5mm over 100 metres is achievable with this equipment – giving a normal working accuracy of ± 25mm between any two points after building tolerances have been taken into account. Our Measured Building Surveys typically include the following elements (but can include anything the customer requires):- Types of Measured Building Survey

Typical Measured Building Survey Includes:-

• Any structural or partition walls
• Doors and windows, window reveals inc. all openings
• Stairs and lift shafts
• Sanitary fittings will be indicated but not measured
• Spot heights

Typical Level/Height Information

• The following levels, heights or vertical dimensions will be provided:
• Ceiling heights above floor
• Archway heights above floor
• Windows – internal cill and head heights above floor
• Heights of :-Doors above floor and threshold levels at external doors based upon topographical information if supplied.

Typical Elevational Survey Includes:

Survey of the elevations as indicated. External details that shall be surveyed and heights generally will have been instrumentally derived

a) Outline of building and roofs

b) Rainwater pipes and gutters

c) Ground levels and steps

d) Doors, windows, ventilation grilles, roof lights, other openings etc..

e) Include mullions and transoms to windows (except for “leaded” lights) andfeatures such as projecting cill, splayed heads and reveals, stone or other quoins, special detail features at openings etc.

f) Include indication and type (eg: top hung, vertical sliding sash etc) of windows designed to open

g) Include door frames and door panelling, glazing etc, where appropriate

h) String courses (projecting or flush) copings etc

i) Chimney stacks, finials etc with string courses, features etc