RICS surveys - what's so special?
The industry standard? The mark of a professional? A 'brand' you can trust?
Maybe, sometimes, but we regularly find some dreadful advice provided to some of our clients by members (MRICS) and even fellows (FRICS) of the RICS. Confusing details like the type of construction - of fundamental importance - the age of the property, the causes of defects, the recommendations for remedial work - all utter nonsense.
We would like to say that this is because not all RICS surveys are undertaken by building surveyors, but MRICS building surveyors can be just as bad. RICS building surveys and home reports are most often carried out by 'surveyors' whose specialism is valuation or estate agency and not building surveying. They are, however, allowed to carry out building surveys by the RICS....
Why, then, do we all want this industry standard when the standard is often found to be poor? The RICS ethics, which we also comply with, state that, where a surveyor isn't sure he is suitably experienced to survey a certain building, he should state this to his client and refuse the instruction. Does this happen? Absolutely not since most chartered surveyors (building surveyors or otherwise) clearly know very little about traditional construction.
Ask what type of surveyor is going to carry out the survey of your house before you instruct them. If it is a valuation surveyor - no matter how long they have been doing building surveys for, refuse it.
If it is a building surveyor, ask specifically about their training and knowledge of traditional buildings and see them squirm.
Maybe, sometimes, but we regularly find some dreadful advice provided to some of our clients by members (MRICS) and even fellows (FRICS) of the RICS. Confusing details like the type of construction - of fundamental importance - the age of the property, the causes of defects, the recommendations for remedial work - all utter nonsense.
We would like to say that this is because not all RICS surveys are undertaken by building surveyors, but MRICS building surveyors can be just as bad. RICS building surveys and home reports are most often carried out by 'surveyors' whose specialism is valuation or estate agency and not building surveying. They are, however, allowed to carry out building surveys by the RICS....
Why, then, do we all want this industry standard when the standard is often found to be poor? The RICS ethics, which we also comply with, state that, where a surveyor isn't sure he is suitably experienced to survey a certain building, he should state this to his client and refuse the instruction. Does this happen? Absolutely not since most chartered surveyors (building surveyors or otherwise) clearly know very little about traditional construction.
Ask what type of surveyor is going to carry out the survey of your house before you instruct them. If it is a valuation surveyor - no matter how long they have been doing building surveys for, refuse it.
If it is a building surveyor, ask specifically about their training and knowledge of traditional buildings and see them squirm.
We know what we are talking about
The RICS surveys may identify some defects but they don't provide any explanations as to their causes and seldom provide any recommendations for their remedy. We provide evidence as to the causes of defects and clear recommendations for their remedy, repair or mitigation, taking full responsibility for the content of our reports.
Also unlike RICS reports, we don't isolate and protect ourselves with huge caveats because we know what we are talking about.
Do you still want an RICS survey?
Also unlike RICS reports, we don't isolate and protect ourselves with huge caveats because we know what we are talking about.
Do you still want an RICS survey?