Check that the firm is RICS Regulated and that the surveyor personally holds MRICS or FRICS. Then ask about their experience with your type of property and instruction, request a sample report, and confirm their professional indemnity cover, complaints procedure and local knowledge. Be wary of anyone who is not an RICS member or cannot provide sample reports.
Why your choice of surveyor matters
Whether you are buying a property, managing a commercial lease, or investigating a building defect, the quality of surveying advice you receive depends entirely on the competence and integrity of the surveyor you appoint. In London, where property values are high and building stock is diverse, choosing the right chartered surveyor can save you significant sums and prevent costly mistakes.
What RICS regulation means
RICS regulation is the gold standard of consumer protection in the surveying profession. A firm that is RICS Regulated must maintain minimum levels of professional indemnity insurance, operate a formal complaints handling procedure, ensure that work is carried out or supervised by qualified professionals, and comply with RICS professional and ethical standards. Individual RICS members must complete continuing professional development and are subject to the RICS disciplinary process.
Qualifications to look for
A chartered building surveyor will hold MRICS or FRICS (Member or Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). This requires a relevant degree, completion of the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), and ongoing CPD. For specialist instructions such as party wall, fire safety or expert witness work, look for additional qualifications or memberships demonstrating competence in that area.
Questions to ask
Before appointing a surveyor, ask about their experience with the specific type of property and instruction, request a sample report so you can judge the quality and depth of their reporting, confirm their PI cover and complaints procedure, check whether they are personally RICS qualified (not just employed by an RICS firm), and ask about their local knowledge of the area where your property is located.
Red flags
Be wary of surveyors who are not RICS members, who offer fees significantly below the market rate, who cannot provide sample reports, who have limited experience with the property type, or who are allocated through online platforms purely on the basis of price. A condition survey or home survey is only as good as the surveyor who carries it out.
Frequently asked questions
What does RICS Regulated mean?
The firm is monitored by RICS for compliance with professional standards, ethical conduct, complaints handling and professional indemnity insurance, providing an additional layer of consumer protection beyond individual membership.
What qualifications should a building surveyor have?
MRICS or FRICS status, which requires a relevant degree, the Assessment of Professional Competence and ongoing CPD. For specialist work, additional qualifications or accreditations may be relevant.
How much does a chartered surveyor cost in London?
Fees vary by instruction type. RICS Home Survey Level 2 for a flat: £500 to £900. Level 3 for a large period house: £1,000 to £2,500. Commercial work is quoted case by case. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value.
What are the red flags when choosing a surveyor?
Non-RICS members, unrealistically low fees, inability to provide sample reports, limited relevant experience, no PI insurance, and allocation through price-only online platforms.
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Savas Bulduk
BSc (Hons) MRICS, Director & Chartered Building Surveyor.
Writes on Building surveying, Fire safety and facade, External wall systems, Technical due diligence, Contract administration. See the full team profile.