Buying a home is a big step. You need to know what you are buying before you commit. A good survey can help you spot faults, plan repairs and make a better choice.
If you are searching for a chartered surveyor near me, start with their skills, experience and the type of survey they offer. The closest firm may not be the right one for your needs.
This guide explains what to check before choosing a surveyor in Preston or the wider Lancashire area. You will learn how to check their skills, compare survey options and find the right service for your property.
How to Choose a Chartered Surveyor Near Me
Check three things first: their professional status, their work on similar buildings and what their survey will cover. Then compare fees and ask who will carry out the inspection.
Searches like ‘RICS surveyors near me’ can help you find firms. But a search result alone will not tell you if a firm suits your property.
Here are seven things to check before you make your choice.
1. Check Their Qualifications
A Chartered Surveyor has met the rules for chartered status through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Chartered Members use the letters MRICS after their name.
But a person’s status and a firm’s status are not the same. A firm may offer survey work without being RICS-regulated.
If you search for a RICS-regulated surveyor, check what the phrase means for the firm you plan to hire. You should check the firm and the person doing the work.
Use the RICS member search to check a person’s details. You can also read the RICS guide to regulated firms. It explains what regulation means and what checks you can make.
When comparing RICS surveyors near me, look beyond a logo on a website. Ask who will inspect your home and prepare the report.
Our guide to what a Chartered Surveyor does explains the role in more detail. It covers the skills and duties of a Chartered Surveyor and the work they do.
2. Check Their Experience With Your Property
Each building has its own needs. A newer home may need different checks from an old stone cottage or a house with several extensions.
Ask if the surveyor has worked on homes like yours. A good fit matters more than a long list of services.
If you search for a building surveyor near me, check their work on the type of building you want to buy. The same applies when you look for a chartered building surveyor.
Ask what the survey will cover. Find out if the surveyor may need to suggest more tests.
For example, a crack in a wall may look small. But it could have more than one cause. The surveyor should explain what they see and whether you need more advice.
3. Choose the Right Survey
The right survey depends on the age, type and state of the property. It also depends on what you need to know before you buy.
MBS offers home surveys and other building surveying services. You can read about them on the Building Surveying services page.
| Your Needs | Survey to Discuss |
| A typical home in fair condition | Level 2 Home Survey |
| An old, altered or complex home | Level 3 Building Survey |
| A shop, office or other business site | Commercial Building Survey or Condition Survey |
| A known fault in a building | Defect analysis or a suitable specialist check |
A Level 2 Home Survey gives an overview of the home’s condition. It notes key faults and may point to repairs or upkeep.
A Level 3 Building Survey gives a more detailed look at the building. It may suit older homes, homes that have been changed or homes in poor repair.
Neither survey suits every home. Ask the surveyor to explain why they suggest one option over another.
The RICS guide to home surveys explains the main choices. It can help you prepare for a call with a surveyor.
4. Look for Local Experience
A local chartered surveyor may know the types of buildings found in the area. This can help when they assess a home and explain its likely upkeep needs.
Still, the nearest firm is not always the best fit. Their skills and work on similar buildings matter more than distance.
If you need a surveyor in Preston, ask about their work in Preston and across Lancashire. Look for real examples of their work, not just broad claims.
MBS lists projects in Preston, including Alliance House, the Harris Institute and Foxton Community Centre. You can view these on the MBS projects page.
These projects show local building work. They do not, by themselves, prove that a firm has done the same type of home survey you need. Ask about its work with your kind of property, too.
If you are looking for a chartered building surveyor near me, check that their skills match the job before you book.
5. Find Out What the Report Includes
A survey report should help you understand the state of the building. Before you pay, ask what the surveyor will check and what you will get in return.
Ask these simple questions:
- Which parts of the building will you inspect?
- Will the report include photos?
- Will it list faults and the repairs they may need?
- Will it point out areas that need more checks?
- Are any parts of the building left out?
- Can I ask questions after I get the report?
A property surveyor should be able to explain these points in clear terms. You should know what the fee covers before you agree to the work.
A survey is not a promise that every fault will be found. Some parts of a building may be hidden or unsafe to reach. The report should state any limits and suggest further checks where needed.
6. Compare Quotes With Care
Do not choose a survey based on price alone. A low fee may not include the work your home needs.
Ask each firm to explain its fee, the work included and any extra costs. Check that you are comparing the same type of survey.
An independent chartered surveyor should give advice based on the building and the work agreed. Their role is to report what they find, even if the news is not what you hoped for.
When you compare a local chartered surveyor with a firm based further away, check their skills, the survey scope and the help they offer after the report.
You can also ask about report times, payment terms and how to raise a concern. Clear answers now can help avoid trouble later.
7. Ask Who Will Do the Work
Before you book, ask who will inspect your property and write the report. Find out about their training and experience.
It also helps to know if you can speak to the surveyor after the report arrives. You may have questions about a crack, damp or the state of the roof.
A good surveyor should explain what they found and when you may need more advice. They should not promise to find every hidden fault.
When choosing RICS surveyors near me, look for clear answers about the person doing the work and the help you can expect.
Do You Need a Local Surveyor in Preston?
Local knowledge can help, but it should not be your only reason for choosing a firm. A local chartered surveyor may know the styles and materials used in nearby homes. They may also have worked on older buildings or homes that have been changed over time.
If you need a surveyor in Preston, ask about work on similar homes in the town or wider Lancashire area. A chartered building surveyor near me should be able to explain how their past work fits your needs.
The best choice is a firm with the right skills for your property. A nearby address alone cannot show that.
What Should You Ask Before You Book?
Use this list when you speak to a surveyor:
- Are you a Chartered Surveyor?
- Is your firm regulated by RICS?
- Which survey do you suggest, and why?
- What does the fee include?
- What parts of the home may not be checked?
- Can I speak to the surveyor after the report?
- What happens if you find a serious fault?
If you are unsure about a RICS-regulated surveyor, check the firm’s status with RICS. Ask for clear terms before you agree to the work.
Be careful if a firm cannot explain its fees, gives little detail about the survey or promises to find every fault. A visual check has limits.
Why Consider MBS Chartered Surveyors?
Looking for a chartered surveyor near me in Preston or Lancashire? MBS Chartered Surveyors is a building surveying and property advice firm based in Preston. It works with homes, commercial buildings and other property projects.
Mark Milligan, Director and MRICS, has more than 25 years of experience in construction and real estate.
If you need an independent chartered surveyor, check the work they do and how it fits your needs. Ask how they will inspect the building and explain their findings.
MBS offers home surveys, commercial building surveys, defect analysis and other building services. For work that involves planning and managing a building project, contact MBS Chartered Surveyors to talk about your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I choose a chartered surveyor near me?
Check the surveyor’s status, work on similar buildings and the type of survey they offer. Ask what the report will cover and who will do the inspection.
- How can I check if a surveyor is RICS-regulated?
Check the surveyor’s name on the RICS website. Also, check if their firm is RICS-regulated. A surveyor’s membership does not mean their firm is regulated.
- What should I check when choosing a building surveyor near me?
Check their experience with your type of property. Ask what they will inspect, what the report includes and whether they may suggest more checks.
- When should I choose a Level 2 Home Survey?
A Level 2 Home Survey may suit a typical home in fair condition. Ask the surveyor if it fits the age, style and state of the property.
- When do I need a Level 3 Building Survey?
A Level 3 Building Survey may suit an old, altered or complex home. It gives a closer look at the building and its faults.
- What does an independent chartered surveyor do?
An independent chartered surveyor gives property advice based on the work agreed. They can inspect a building, report faults and explain where more checks may be needed.
