Chartered Surveyors

Chartered surveyors offer critical, professional support on all aspects of property construction, management and renovation. From pre-acquisition surveys and valuing to assessing the structural integrity of existing buildings and assessing rebuilding costs, a chartered surveyor can provide an invaluable service to property owners and developers.

What is a Chartered Surveyor?

A chartered surveyor is a surveyor who has gained member or fellowship status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Professional surveyors must have extensive experience and pass a chartered qualification to gain member status, which RICS Fellows exemplify ‘industry excellence on a global scale’.

Types of Surveys Offered

Chartered surveyors undertake a variety of different types of surveys, including:

As the industry is so varied, chartered surveyors may specialise in one sector, such as:

  • Commercial real estate
  • Environmental surveying
  • Geomatics
  • Infrastructure
  • Land and resources
  • Quantity surveying and construction
  • Residential property

Importance of Hiring a Chartered Surveyor

Chartered status is indicative of a high level of experience and rigorous standards, which is why it’s always advisable to hire a chartered surveyor. To achieve member status with RICS, professionals must meet both academic and professional standards, so you can be confident that the services, reports and/or advice you receive from a chartered surveyor will be of the highest quality.
Any land, property or construction transaction can have long-term financial, practical and safety consequences, so it’s vital that professional advice relating to such matters is beyond reproach and RICS chartered status gives you peace of mind that your surveyor will provide expert, unbiased advice and guidance.

Legal and Compliance Requirements

Surveyors must meet strict standards to achieve RICS chartered status. For example, a surveyor must complete a RICS-accredited degree and have relevant experience or have five years’ experience alongside any degree to be eligible to apply for chartered status. Alternatively, a surveyor can achieve the chartered qualification if they have at least 10 years’ experience ‘operating at an advanced level by seniority, specialism or in academia.’
Once a surveyor has the requisite experience, they can apply to take the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Here, candidates are assessed on a variety of areas, including business, management and interpersonal skills, as well as technical and professional practice.
As part of the APC, professionals must make written submissions regarding their competencies and sector specialisms, supply a case study of a recent professional project and undergo a 60-minute assessment interview.
Prior to the APC, candidates must complete Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training and the RICS ethics course and RICS chartered surveyors are required to undertake a specific amount of CPD training each year to retain their membership and chartered status.

Common Client Needs

Chartered surveyors are in consistently high demand due to their experience, expertise and industry knowledge. Clients routinely commission a chartered surveyor when they require specific advice, guidance or reports, including:

  • Property valuations
  • Regulatory compliance 
  • Planning applications
  • Property development
  • Ownership or boundary disputes
  • Environmental impact
  • Structural damage

As you can see, a chartered surveyor typically consults on a wide range of issues and can be called upon to give expert and impartial advice.

Contact a Chartered Surveyor Now

If you want expert advice regarding property, land or construction, TCL surveyors can provide the help you need. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a commercial property developer or you’re planning to renovate or rebuild a property, our specialist services will provide the professional guidance you need. Talk to our team now on 020 3176 0029 or email us at info@tcl-surveyors.co.uk to find out more.