Building Surveyor
The surveyor most homebuyers and homeowners need first. A RICS building surveyor assesses the overall condition of a property, identifies defects and advises on remediation. Essential before purchasing any property and valuable before any significant renovation. MRICS or FRICS. Costs from £400 for a HomeBuyer Report.
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Building Surveyor
Assesses the overall condition of a property and produces HomeBuyer Reports, Building Surveys and schedules of condition. Also advises on defects, repairs, extensions and compliance with Building Regulations. MRICS required.
Read guide SurveyorsQuantity Surveyor
Manages the financial and contractual aspects of a construction project - cost planning, tendering, valuations and final accounts. Essential on larger projects; on smaller domestic jobs an estimator may serve the same function.
Read guide SurveyorsParty Wall Surveyor
Administers the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, serving notices, preparing party wall awards and recording schedules of condition. Required when building on or near a boundary, excavating near neighbours' foundations, or working on a shared wall.
Read guide SurveyorsValuation Surveyor
Provides RICS Red Book valuations for mortgage purposes, probate, shared ownership, Help to Buy redemption and dispute resolution. A RICS valuation is legally recognised; online estimates are not.
Read guide SurveyorsMeasured Building Surveyor
Produces accurate measured drawings of existing buildings using laser scanning and total station equipment. Essential before designing an extension or renovation where no reliable drawings exist.
Read guide SurveyorsLand Surveyor
Establishes precise boundaries, levels and positions of land and structures. Required when boundary disputes arise, when registering land for the first time, and to produce topographic surveys for planning applications.
Read guide SurveyorsDilapidations Surveyor
Assesses and negotiates dilapidations claims at the end of commercial leases - the cost of restoring a property to the condition required by the lease. Acts for landlords or tenants. MRICS essential for this specialist role.
Read guide SurveyorsGeodetic Surveyor
Works at a national and international scale to establish coordinate systems, monitor crustal movement and support infrastructure projects. Rarely needed for individual building projects but essential for large civil engineering schemes.
Read guideSurveying qualifications explained
RICS is the dominant regulatory body for UK surveyors. Here is what the key designations mean and which type of surveyor they apply to.
The primary chartered qualification for UK surveyors. Requires a RICS-accredited degree, at least two years of structured training (APC - Assessment of Professional Competence), and a final professional review. FRICS (Fellow) indicates senior status with a significant contribution to the profession.
Associate membership of RICS for practitioners without a full RICS-accredited degree. A valid and recognised qualification for many surveying roles - but always check that the level of membership is appropriate for the complexity of your instruction.
Chartered membership of the CIOB is often held by building surveyors and project managers with a strong site and construction background. MCIOB or FCIOB indicates expertise in construction management, procurement and contract administration alongside surveying skills.
All RICS members are required to hold PII. Always ask for a current certificate before appointing. A minimum of £500,000 per claim is typical for residential instructions; complex or high-value matters warrant £1m+. RICS operates a complaints and disciplinary process if things go wrong.