Why use a RICS surveyor?

What is the RICS?

The RICS is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an independent, representative professional body, regulating specialists of the property industry. The RICS is the leading organisation of property professionals in the world.

The RICS establish, maintain and regulate standards in the property industry; all of the RICS members are trusted professionals.

RICS members

Members of the RICS are closely regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and each surveyor has to follow stringent codes of conduct to ensure high standards are maintained in public interest.

To gain qualifications from the RICS, rigorous requirements for both experience and education must be met, meaning all members of the RICS are qualified to help in all aspects of property affairs.

The RICS provide training to ensure the expertise, skill and knowledge of all their members is kept up to date and relevant during their career as a RICS member.

The RICS members on our panel specialise in residential property surveys – HomeBuyer Reports (Level 2 Survey) and Building Surveys (Level 3 Survey). Your RICS surveyor will offer expertise and independent advice at all stages of your property purchase.

Using a RICS surveyor for your house survey

As your home is likely to be the biggest single investment you ever make, we strongly recommend that you employ an RICS surveyor to check out your potential property before you exchange contracts.

The report your Surveyor provides you with may save you thousands of pounds in expensive repair bills from a fault you were unaware of from your own viewings.

Using the services of a RICS surveyor provides the following peace of mind:

• RICS surveyors give you clear, independent and knowledgeable advice

• RICS surveyors are required to have insurance which will protect you

• RICS members are continually updating their skills and knowledge, throughout their working careers

• RICS run a complaints procedure, should you be unhappy with your RICS surveyor

Using a RICS surveyor for your property survey means, as you pay the surveyor direct, they are working for you and therefore acting with your best interests at heart, offering transparent, impartial expertise about the building you are buying.

When selecting your surveyor, look out for the term ‘Regulated by RICS’ to ensure you are receiving an expert, independent Level 2 or level 3 Survey.

You will also find that many surveyors are 'Chartered'. This is a level of qualification within RICS; just remember that not all RICS regulated surveyors are Chartered Surveyors, but those that arent will operate within the same RICS regulations.

Updated October 2022 by Jeremy Greer