Chartered Surveyors Near Me: How to Choose and Check an RICS Surveyor

What is a chartered surveyor?

Chartered surveyors are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). RICS identifies its qualified individual surveyors by designations: AssocRICS (associate level), MRICS and FRICS (the chartered designations). Many people searching for a "building surveyor" are looking for someone to inspect the condition of a property. That is the kind of work covered by an RICS Home Survey (Levels 1, 2 and 3) for homes, and by building surveys and condition inspections for commercial property.

RICS explains that not every surveyor has to be chartered. Any surveyor can carry out a property inspection, but RICS Home Survey reports may only be completed by an RICS member with the appropriate experience. Where the service includes a valuation, RICS says the surveyor should also be an RICS Registered Valuer.

"Chartered surveyor" versus "RICS regulated firm"

These are two different checks, and it is worth doing both.

• The individual. RICS has a Find a Member directory that shows whether a person is an active RICS member, including their membership number.
• The firm. RICS also regulates firms. Regulated firms must comply with RICS Rules of Conduct, have a complaints handling procedure, appoint an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider that consumers can use free of charge, and hold professional indemnity insurance that meets RICS minimum standards.

RICS warns that not all firms listed on its Find a Surveyor website are RICS regulated, and that if you use a firm that is not regulated you may not have any protection in place. On Find a Surveyor, regulated firms are marked "RICS Regulated". They should also display the logo or the words "Regulated by RICS" on their website and business literature, and highlight their regulated status in their terms of engagement.

I AM Surveyors states on this website that it is an RICS regulated firm. You should still check any firm yourself, including us, using the RICS directories.

How to find a surveyor near you

1. Start with RICS Find a Surveyor. Search for your postcode or town and look for the "RICS Regulated" label.
2. Check the individual. Use Find a Member to confirm that the named surveyor is an active member.
3. Shop around. RICS says you do not have to use the firm recommended by your bank or estate agent, and suggests asking quotes from several RICS firms.
4. Look at the website. Check that the firm explains its services, how to complain and its terms. Our complaints handling procedure is published on this site.
5. Ask to see a sample report. RICS suggests this so that you can judge how clear and user-friendly the report is.

Questions to ask before you instruct a surveyor

• Are you, and the surveyor who will inspect, RICS members, and which designation do they hold?
• Is the firm RICS regulated, and what is the complaints procedure and ADR provider?
• Does the surveyor have experience of this type, age and construction of property? RICS says experience of the property type and acting within their competence matter most.
• Which survey level do you recommend and why? A Level 2 Home Survey suits many conventional homes, while a Level 3 Building Survey suits older, larger or altered properties.
• What is the fee, what exactly is included, and what is not?
• When will you inspect, and when will I receive the report? Our guide to how long a house survey takes explains typical timings.
• Can I speak to the surveyor after the report?
• What are your terms of engagement and cancellation terms?

RICS says the terms of engagement should be agreed before the work starts. Read them, including any limits on what the surveyor will inspect.

Which type of surveyor do you need?

Different jobs need different services. Matching the service to your need is as important as choosing the firm.

• Buying a home: a Level 2 or Level 3 home survey. If the property is old, has been altered or shows defects, Level 3 is generally the better fit, according to RICS descriptions.
• Knowing what your home is worth: a property valuation. RICS says valuation work should be done by an RICS Registered Valuer.
• A specific problem such as cracks or damp: a specific defect survey.
• Work next to a neighbour: party wall surveys.
• Commercial property: commercial surveying, including commercial property surveys and inspections and schedules of condition.

Warning signs

• The firm cannot tell you whether it is RICS regulated, or will not show its terms of engagement.
• Prices or promises seem unusually vague, or there is pressure to book immediately.
• The surveyor has no experience of the type of property you are buying.
• No clear complaints procedure is available.
• The firm uses the word "chartered" or the RICS logo but cannot be found on the RICS directories.

Local surveyors across Birmingham and the West Midlands

We are based in Birmingham and cover Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and many other West Midlands towns. Local knowledge helps because surveyors who regularly inspect similar buildings recognise typical defects. You can see the full list on our areas we cover page, or go straight to local pages such as Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. To compare options, get an instant quote.

If something goes wrong

RICS explains that you should first raise a complaint with the firm through its complaints handling procedure. If you are still unhappy, the firm's ADR provider can be used free of charge by consumer clients, and ADR providers can award compensation in some cases. RICS can also receive concerns about a regulated firm or member and, where appropriate, investigate and take disciplinary action, although it cannot award compensation to clients.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a surveyor and a chartered surveyor?

Any surveyor can inspect a property, but RICS Home Survey reports may only be completed by RICS members with the appropriate experience. Chartered surveyors hold MRICS or FRICS status.

How do I check that a surveyor is genuine?

Use RICS Find a Member to check an individual and RICS Find a Surveyor to check whether a firm is marked "RICS Regulated". Ask for the surveyor's designation and membership number.

What is the difference between a building surveyor and a chartered surveyor?

"Building surveyor" is a general term for someone who inspects the condition of buildings. A chartered building surveyor is a chartered surveyor who works in this field. Always confirm RICS membership and relevant experience.

Do I have to use the surveyor my mortgage lender or estate agent recommends?

No. RICS says you do not have to use the firm recommended by your bank or estate agent. Shop around and compare RICS firms.

What does RICS regulated mean?

A regulated firm must comply with RICS Rules of Conduct, have a complaints procedure, offer free ADR to consumer clients and hold professional indemnity insurance that meets RICS standards.

How much does a surveyor cost?

RICS says costs vary with the complexity of the home and the level of survey, and that a Level 1 starts at a few hundred pounds while a Level 3 is at the higher end. Ask for a quote for your property.

This article is general information, not advice on a particular property or firm.

Sources

• RICS, "House surveys (UK): the costs, types and benefits of an RICS Home Survey": https://www.rics.org/consumer-guides/house-surveys-uk-the-costs-types-and-benefits-of-an-rics-home-survey
• RICS, "Look for 'RICS Regulated' for your peace of mind and protection": https://www.rics.org/consumer-guides/rics-regulated-protection
• RICS, "Find a Member": https://www.rics.org/find-a-member
• RICS, "How we support consumers": https://www.rics.org/regulation/reporting-concerns/how-we-support-consumers
• RICS Find a Surveyor, "FAQ": https://www.ricsfirms.com/faq/