Surveyor or Chartered Surveyor? Knowing the difference
Not all surveyors are equal – anyone can call themselves a surveyor. It’s not a protected title like architect or solicitor. And because anyone can call themselves a surveyor, they can do so with no training at all – meaning they may in fact know nothing, something or everything about their specialist field, but you won’t know that when you commission them.
With Collier Stevens, you can trust that our services are provided by our team of experienced Chartered Surveyors, throughout London and Kent. Our chartered surveyors in Kent provide a full range of professional surveying services for homeowners, landlords, tenants and commercial property owners.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation survey quote, or if you prefer to talk, call us on 020 8295 1200 in London or 01303 239000 in Kent.
What are Chartered Surveyors?
Well, the chap who measures for your double glazing – the window company’s “surveyor” – probably can use a tape measure, but probably can’t advise on residential leases and it’s likely they wouldn’t know where to start carrying out a forensic inspection of glazing faults.
The Chartered bit is not only protected, but earned – the hard way! So, how to become a chartered surveyor? To become a chartered surveyor means following an approved training course of at least three years, and then undertaking a minimum two year period of in work competence training. This is followed by a professional entrance interview, which, if passed (and for chartered building surveyors the pass rate is a challenging 59%), allows one to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It’s not easy and requires a breadth and depth of knowledge and professionalism which is reflected in the service they provide.
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Standards, regulations and RICS professional standards
Chartered surveyors are bound by the regulations of the RICS, and their firms have to state that they are “Regulated by RICS” and to maintain a Complaint Handling Procedure. They are not regulations without teeth, and disciplinary actions are regularly taken should RICS rules of conduct not be followed, and chartered surveyors are called to account by their professional body – and where appropriate, their qualifications are revoked. Importantly, and unlike “surveyors”, chartered surveyor firms and sole practitioners have to maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance and conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner.
How to check if someone is a Chartered Surveyor
You can identify a chartered surveyor with the letters MRICS (member) of FRICS (fellow) after their names. It is your assurance that the surveyor you are engaging is suitably trained, experienced and regulated with a professional system of redress should you have a complaint or cause for concern.
Finding a surveyor: How to choose the right one
Pick your surveyor carefully, as a firm of chartered surveyors we meet all of the regulatory requirements of the RICS. Our surveys are conducted by the best building surveyors in London, all of whom have many years experience. You can of course choose a surveyor who is not chartered but experienced, you may wish to use your mate the builder or you might decide not to bother (our earlier post explains why this is a bad idea). We think you and your property investment are best protected by a proper survey by a proper Chartered Building Surveyor.
Need a survey by a chartered surveyor – contact us to get a quote.
Steven Way
Steven Way BSc MIHEEM MFPWS MRICS is the Practice Principal and is a Chartered Building Surveyor. With over 35 years as a practicing surveyor, Steve has a wealth of experience and expertise in both residential and commercial building surveying, party wall advice and disabled access auditing. He has also built his reputation as an expert witness.