What to Look for When Choosing a Surveyor
When choosing a reputable surveyor, a professional body is involved in the process, specifically the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). While all surveyors must have passed a course accredited by RICS, only a qualified and chartered surveyor has the right to use the letters MRICS after their name.
If the property in question is unusual or unique, you may need a highly qualified surveyor. This can be an essential aspect to look for in some situations. Fully qualified chartered surveyors can carry out even the most complicated surveys and will be the professionals you want handling things on that end.
Here are Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Surveyor
Experience
Another important thing you need to consider is your choice of experience as a surveyor. Although any surveyor who passes the examinations prepared by RICS will indeed be able to survey a home to a high standard, choosing the one with the right experience will give you a better outcome.
Specialisms
Some homes are more than just bricks and mortar; you may be looking at a listed building or one with a particularly unique feature, such as a thatched roof or something similar. If that is the case, you will need to ask the surveyors you shortlisted whether they have experience with that property in their line of work. All surveyors who underwent the RICS examination process and passed will be able to deal with whatever your property is. Having the knowledge that specialises in a particular area is something that will allow you to do more.
Communication
Discussing the report is essential to affect the process, so you need to have a surveyor checking things out who has excellent communication skills. Assessing this can be done by checking their speed at replying to your calls and emails and their behaviour in person or over the phone. If you feel like you’ve been treated right and your enquiries are a priority, then you may be dealing with the right kind of surveyor for the job at hand.
Chemistry
Aside from communication, chemistry is an essential part of your choice. Do you feel like you’re getting along with the surveyor, or are you feeling bad about them? Though this may not seem like an obvious thing, it can be necessary for a survey to be conducted on a buy-to-let property. Maybe you will buy more properties in the future or sell, so you need a surveyor you can get along with for a professional relationship. Even if you are trying to find a home you can buy for yourself, getting along with the surveyor is an essential part of the process. If you decide to move, you can use their services again.
Price
In the last place, we have the importance of price. This is predictable in most cases, as you would go around and try to find the best possible price, but there may be better ways. Before you make the leap and commit to a specific surveyor, you should consider everything above this point. Buying a property is one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make, so make sure you cover everything of vital importance, as a good surveyor will be a great addition to your efforts. Paying a bit extra may be a great way to find the better surveyor for your needs, so keep that in mind going forward.
