What is a Surveyor?

It's almost a weekly occurrence that someone asks me to provide a structural building survey or something similar, as yet no one has asked me to value fine art but one day who knows.... So here we go a one stop guide to most of the common forms of Surveying:-

Land Surveying - Often regarded as a second oldest profession, this is a profession concerned with the measurement of land and property.  These are the guys you call in to prepare very detailed maps before design works begin, they are also heavily involved in establishing property boundaries, and very precise structural monitoring.


Quantity Surveying - is a profession working within the construction industry concerned with building costs.  Of in more vague terms counting bricks!!


Building Surveying - is a profession concerned with Building Pathology, how a building is construction and where if any faults may lie.  These are the guys you call in for a structural survey before you buy a house.


Arts & Antiques Surveyor - a profession dealing with the valuation, purchase, sale & management of antiques & fine arts


Minerals Surveyor - a profession concerned with the use, value, management & exploration of mineral deposits.


Valuation Surveyor - The profession to call to get a true valuation on your home or property.
Planning & Development Surveyor


Project Management Surveyor - Responsible for the planning, co-ordination, management and financial control of any building scheme.


Environmental Surveyor - Surveyors who use surveying techniques to understand the potential impact of environmental factors on property & construction.  And assess a similar impact of property & construction on the environment. 


Commercial Property Surveyor - A professional advising on the buying, selling & leasing of commercial properties.


There are other forms of Surveyors so feel free to chip in with other examples, or get your own faculty of Surveying on the list.  


With most forms of surveying there is the potential to have the designation 'Chartered' in front of these jobs.  The effect of this one word is to show that as a professional you have been recognised by your peers already in the Chartered Institute as a competent person in your field.


Hope that has cleared a few things up, so R L Surveys are Land and Measured Building Surveyors , More details of the services we offer, and examples of our work can be found at www.rlsurveys.co.uk, or you can keep in touch with us on LinkedIn, Facebook (www.facebook.com/rlsurveys) & Twitter (@RLSurveys).