What a Chartered Surveyor Actually Is
In the UK, the title Chartered Surveyor means something specific. It’s a protected designation granted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). That chartered status tells you the person you’re dealing with has completed rigorous professional training, follows a strict code of ethics, and works to recognised technical and legal standards.
That said, not all chartered surveyors do the same work. RICS recognises dozens of specialisms. Each focuses on a different part of the property or construction process — from valuation to project management to dispute resolution. The key is matching their expertise to your specific need.
Different Types of Surveyors Explained
Building Surveyors
If you’re buying, maintaining, or refurbishing a property, this is the surveyor you’ll probably need first. Building surveyors focus on the physical structure and condition of buildings — things like cracks, damp, roof issues, or structural movement. They’re the professionals who inspect properties, identify defects, and recommend how to fix them.
They also help manage refurbishments, producing specifications, finding contractors and ensuring relevant statutory regulations are complied with, which makes them essential for both homeowners and developers.
Quantity Surveyors
Quantity surveyors — or QSs — are the cost experts. Their role is to control the financial side of construction. They estimate costs, prepare bills of quantities, value works during progress, and make sure projects stay within budget.
If you’re managing a build and want to keep a tight rein on expenditure, a QS is key, especially for Contractors on fixed budgets.
For related guidance, see our post on How to Build a Construction Budget.
Valuation Surveyors
When you need to know what a property or site is worth, valuation surveyors step in. They assess value for purposes such as sales, mortgages, taxation, and investment. Their work underpins most financial decisions in the property market and can be invaluable in disputes when a loss of property value needs to be proven. From buying a home to refinancing a portfolio, valuation surveyors can provide critical information.
Land or Geomatics Surveyors
Before you can build anything, you need to know exactly what’s there. Land surveyors measure and map land boundaries, levels, and features using GPS, drones, and laser scanners. Their data forms the base for architects and engineers to design accurately. They’re vital for new developments, boundary disputes, or subdividing land.
Project Management Surveyors
Large or complex builds require professional coordination. Project management surveyors oversee the planning, procurement, and delivery of construction projects. They manage time, cost, and quality, ensuring everyone — from designers to contractors — works to the same plan. They’re the ones who keep the project on track when dozens of moving parts are in play.
Planning and Development Surveyors
When you’re exploring a new site or considering a change of use, planning and development surveyors handle the strategic side. They assess viability, navigate planning policy, liaise with local authorities, and advise on maximising land value.
They’re often involved from the earliest stages of a project — long before any building work starts — helping clients understand what’s possible and what permissions are required.
Party Wall Surveyors
If your building work affects a shared or neighbouring wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies. Party wall surveyors ensure that the process runs legally and fairly for everyone involved. They serve notices, resolve disputes, and prepare formal awards that protect the rights of both property owners.
Even minor projects like extensions or loft conversions can trigger the Act, so getting advice early is vital. You can read more in our article on How to Handle Party Wall Disputes.
Building Control Surveyors
Every construction project must meet Building Regulations, covering everything from fire safety to energy performance. Building control surveyors check compliance — either through local authorities or private approved inspectors. Their job is to ensure buildings are safe, efficient, and designed and built to standard before they’re occupied.
Specialist Roles and Expertise
Beyond these main categories, there are many niche specialisms. Some surveyors focus on dilapidations — resolving end-of-lease repairs and reinstatement issues between landlords and tenants. Others work in environmental surveying, assessing sustainability, energy performance, and climate resilience.
There are also surveyors who specialise in dispute resolution — acting as mediators, arbitrators, or expert witnesses when construction disagreements arise. (If that’s an area of interest, see our article on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Construction.)
This range of expertise shows how diverse the surveying profession really is — and why choosing the right specialist matters.
How to Choose the Right Surveyor
Choosing a surveyor starts with understanding your goal. Are you trying to assess a building’s condition? Control construction costs? Resolve a dispute? Each requires a different skill set.
Once you know what you need, look for RICS accreditation — it’s the industry’s mark of professionalism and accountability. Then check the surveyor’s experience. A building surveyor who’s spent twenty years in commercial property might not be the best fit for a small domestic project, just as a valuation expert might not be suited to manage a refurbishment.
Finally, have a conversation. A good surveyor will tell you whether your project sits within their area of competence — and if not, they’ll point you to someone who can help. That honesty is part of what being chartered means.
Bringing It All Together
Surveyors are often seen as the people who appear when something goes wrong — to value damage, check defects, or settle disputes. But in reality, the best surveyors prevent those problems in the first place. They turn complexity into clarity, risk into strategy, and decisions into results.
At Harrison Clarke Chartered Building Surveyors, we combine experience across multiple disciplines — from building pathology and project management to compliance and dispute resolution, all across various sectors and types of clients. That means when clients come to us, they don’t have to guess which surveyor they need. They just need to start the conversation.
For more expert advice on surveying and property matters, check out our range of informative videos on our website or YouTube channel. Harrison Clarke Chartered Surveyors is here to guide you every step of the way!
At the time of writing, we have a total of 148 reviews across Trustpilot and Google. We are proud to say that the average rating is over 4.9/5.
