Guides What is The Role of a Modern Building Surveyor?

The Modern Building Surveyor

A building surveyor in the modern era isn’t just confined to condition surveys, diagnosing defects and all things building pathology although that is a building surveyors’ bread and butter. The modern era has called for building surveyors to have the skills to undertake design, cost control, contract administration and project management.

This is obviously within reason and for any larger developments an architect will be used, but a building surveyor will work within all RIBA stages from feasibility through to maintenance making them a crucial part of the design team. Building surveyors are skilled in all areas but often will have a particular area of expertise or specialism which leads down different career paths. 

What is your role within developments?

As a building surveyor, it is your responsibility to conduct thorough assessments of buildings, design, cost and any other technical documentation relating too construction. Where procurement is via the traditional method, you will produce the schedule of works to allow accurate pricing from the contractors. You then act as contract administrator for the duration of the contract and work closely with the client and the contractor to ensure the project runs smoothly and efficiently.

The role of a building surveyor is to offer advice and feedback from an experienced professional background. 

What happens when you attend the site? 

When you attend the site for the first time, it’s important to establish a relationship with the client and partner.

During the survey, you should be looking at various areas for defects:

  • Internally as a building surveyor I will be looking at the walls, floors, ceilings any mechanical and electrical fixtures and assessing the age and condition and how this works with the proposed future use.
  • Externally, you will do an inspection of the roof from ground level, assess rainwater condition and any evidence of leaks or failed connections. I will also assess walls and the type of construction that the building is.
  • Inspection of the windows and doors to assess what type they are and whether there is a requirement for replacement.

This information is then compiled into a feasibility report as well as instructing any additional surveys you feel will be required. 

If you need any further help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help. Alternatively, try our property consultancy service if you’re ready to venture into the property industry today.