OT] House surveyor, how to choose?

message from GB on 12 May 2004

I need to have a house surveyed and I am not sure how to choose one
as there are a lot on the internet.

I need the survey for a structual survey, as the
owner removed chimney to the loft height 25 years ago But I am
concerened it is not to todays standards I think its supported on
wood and I know it has to be supporteed on RSJ type beams now!

So I need a good surveyor that will actually get in the loft and find
out how it is supported. I assume some may "just" look from the loft
hatch!

I would assume as in any industry some companies are better than
others?

Should I be looking for a "RICS" member?

I live on suffolk, cambridgshire border

Any suggestions or pitfalls or ideas please?

Thanks Gary

RichardS replied to GB on 12 May 2004

You'd want to make sure that you are instructing a qualified Building
surveyor as opposed to someone who qualified as a valuation or a quantity
surveyor - they all have the same letters (RICS or FRICS) after their name
AFAIK so you'd need to ask them.

However... my father's a building surveyor specialising in commercial
valuations, and when he comes across problems with structure requiring
detailed investigation and calculations he would normally advise clients
that they require a specialist Structural Engineer's report.

So you may well be better off going straight to the practising experts in
this field and engaging the services of a qualified Structural Engineer.

The RICS may be able to put you in touch with suitably qualified people
practising in your area, and they will often have contacts with structural
engineers if this proves necessary.

Owain replied to RichardS on 12 May 2004

"RichardS" wrote
| "GB" wrote
| > I need the survey for a structual survey, as the
| > owner removed chimney to the loft height 25 years ago But I am
| > concerened it is not to todays standards I think its supported on
| > wood and I know it has to be supporteed on RSJ type beams now!
| However... my father's a building surveyor specialising in
| commercial valuations, and when he comes across problems with
| structure requiring detailed investigation and calculations he
| would normally advise clients that they require a specialist
| Structural Engineer's report.
| So you may well be better off going straight to the practising
| experts in this field and engaging the services of a qualified
| Structural Engineer.

<AOL> agrees </>

| The RICS may be able to put you in touch with suitably qualified people
| practising in your area, and they will often have contacts with structural
| engineers if this proves necessary.

Structural Engineers will usually be listed under, erm, Structural Engineer,
in the yellow pages or www.yell.co.uk

There is a "find a structural engineer" link from the professional website,
www.istructe.org.uk but as engineers have to pay to be listed on that, it's
far from a complete listing.

Owain

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