Beyond the bricks and mortar: why I put humans at the heart of the survey process
I’ve got a confession to make: without human interaction and all the interesting people I get to meet through my work as a surveyor, my job would be much less meaningful. Checking properties for hidden problems like damp would be pretty dry - excuse the pun - if I didn’t get to know the people I’m here to serve: real human beings who want to invest time and energy into a property, or turn a house into a home.
There’s so much to consider when buying a new place, so it’s understandable that homebuyers often get swept away imagining their new home and how lovely their new kitchen, bathroom or garden is going to look. I’m passionate about being the safe pair of hands and eyes to spot the little things that most people won’t know to look for, potentially saving them lots of time, energy and money.
The events of this year have really brought home the importance of human interaction, and putting people first has always been something I have strived for in my work. I differ from other surveyors in that I offer free calls to talk people through my survey findings once the report has been completed. This helps clear up any questions and ensures my clients have everything they need to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence. Where possible, I also like to meet my clients at the property concerned, so I can outline my findings in-person and they can physically see any issues or development opportunities with their own eyes.
Of course, working in this way means you get the odd funny story – like the client who thought they saw a ghost in the fireplace of property they were about to purchase. I was only too happy to check this out and reassure my client that the property was not in fact home to a spirit from another world, but a family portrait had simply been placed in the fireplace for safe-keeping… it’s moments like this that really make my job worthwhile!
Most of the time, putting people first is just a question of listening to their needs and communicating with compassion and empathy. And whatever the state of a property, real human interaction makes the survey process more vital, interactive and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Here’s how I aim to put humans at the heart of the survey process
Free initial consultation
I offer a free, no-obligation 30-minute phone consultation ahead of a new instruction to get to know you, your intentions for a property and your survey requirements. By understanding who you are, why you want to buy a property and how you intend to use it, I’m better placed to offer expertise that’s relevant and meaningful to you.
Post-survey calls to discuss my findings in detail
Unlike most surveyors, I also offer a free phone or zoom call to go through my findings with you in detail after your survey has been completed. My reports are written in plain English and include a simple traffic light system to quickly alert you to any potential issues and opportunities.
Free meet-up at the property
Where possible, I’ll also arrange to meet you at the property so we can discuss the survey findings in person. This helps deepen the relationship between the purchaser and the property, whether you end up buying it or not. My experience is that nothing gives you peace of mind like seeing a property with your own eyes and a qualified chartered surveyor by your side!
Always on hand by phone or email
I’m available by phone or email throughout the survey process to answer any questions you may have. As a husband, father and homeowner myself, I’ve seen how this helps put peoples’ mind at rest and gives them the confidence they need to move forward – or not – with one of the biggest financial decisions they’ll ever make in their lives.
Client feedback
Want to hear some real people’s experiences of my human-centred homebuyer surveys?
Here’s some feedback from people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 12 months.
John and Christine were downsizing, looking to buy a home which needed a full refurb and design upgrade: “It was useful to meet you in person. You took us into the loft and suggested the possibility of a loft conversion, which we valued and intend to do. It was beneficial to go through the findings in person rather than on the computer. It is particularly useful as we are taking on a building project. It was helpful that you explained how the damp meter works and where and why there is damp.”
Property purchaser Curty said: “Meeting on Zoom was perfect, it was valuable to see you face to face and excellent to hear you clarify the results of the survey. If anyone wants a recommendation for a survey, your name is top of the list!”
Shaun is a landlord that purchases properties as rental investments: “It was a lot quicker to meet you at the end of the inspection and get a summary of the findings rather than wait to get the report. This saved at least a week, and in this instance it saved us legal fees. We are not property experts and meeting you in person helped us gain clear explanations to our questions immediately and you enabled us to make an informed decision. If we had bought this property, we would potentially have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds plus had to suffer a lot of stress as there were a lot of defects that you made us aware of. I will contact you about any property that I consider buying from now on.”
After 20+ years living in a flat, Philip wanted to move to a house with parking and a garden. He said: “It was helpful to meet on Zoom to hear more about your recommendations and comments on the survey. Also, valuable to get photos to share with my builder which enabled them to prepare for the visit to the property. It is worth having an in-person meeting”.
Kamaljit and Suki are a couple looking to buy a property for investment purposes which needed a full refurb: “We found it helpful to meet in person rather than dealing with machines. You introduced us to a general builder who we met with you at the same time. When one human meets another, magic can happen which is not always possible with data alone.”
Click here if you’d like to learn more about my homebuyer surveys. Or why not book a free, no-obligation 30-minute consultation to ask me about your own survey needs?
Thanks for reading! Roo