When undergoing a search for a Chartered Surveyor it is important to be aware that any person may call themselves a ‘Surveyor’ or ‘Building Surveyor’ and offer you a ‘Surveying Service’.
Unfortunately, many attempt to profit from this free use of the word surveyor and mislead the public - and it is often at the expense of their clients.
These types are usually semi-retired construction or property industry workers, carpenters, jobbing builders and even farmers all offering ’surveying services’. Be on the look out for comments such as ‘35 years of experience’ because it may not be in building surveying!
These individuals may, of course, be knowledgeable about buildings and their problems. However, the chances are that many will have limited or no formal or accredited building surveying training and they will not have been assessed on their building surveying knowledge by a professional body specialising in building surveying.
Fortunately, not everyone may use the term ‘Chartered Building Surveyor’, as it is a title legally protected by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Therefore, before employing a chartered surveyor check out their qualifications. Look out for the letters MRICS in their title. A technical surveyor will use the letters TechRICS - meaning they are a qualified technical member of RICS. These are the letters of a fully qualified Chartered Surveyor. It means that they will have completed a degree course that is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
RICS is the largest professional body of surveyors, and any surveyor must be a member to achieve chartered status. In addition to this, Chartered Surveyors must have completed a minimum of two years’ practical experience before taking the APC exam and becoming fully qualified.
Additionally, Surveyors UK who are members of RICS must update their knowledge and competence throughout their working life, through RICS’ Continuous Professional Development regulations. This should comfort you that the advice you receive will be of the highest and most professional standard. RICS members must also adhere to strict codes of conduct and consumers are protected by a formal complaints handling procedure.
Watch out for the words ‘Regulated by RICS’ when used by a firm and the presence of the RICS logo. They are your reassurance that you are using a fully-qualified property professional or business, working to the highest standards of competence and committed to following RICS’ rules and regulations.
If you are in doubt whether someone is a genuine member of RICS, you can call RICS’ contact centre with their details and they will carry out a check on your behalf. This will ensure and therefore ease your mind, that you are getting a competent and thorough survey of your property - which is guaranteed when you use a RICS qualified Chartered Surveyor.
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