If you’re purchasing a home, you undoubtedly already know that getting a survey done is generally advised, but you might not be sure exactly what kind of survey you need. We examine the various survey formats that are available as well as their applications.
What is a Surveyor?
An expert in measuring, evaluating, and charting a property’s physical characteristics is known as a surveyor. The knowledge of a surveyor is essential in many areas, including development, construction, property and real estate, and environmental protection.
A surveyor determines and documents details regarding things like land boundaries, property divisions, and building structures using a combination of technical abilities, specialised equipment, and a thorough awareness of the law and local legislation/regulations.
Surveyors are essential to the design and execution of construction projects because they guarantee that buildings are constructed by local building codes and zoning rules, as well as in the proper places.
11 Different Types of Surveyors
- Land surveyor
- Environmental surveyor
- Rural Practice surveyor
- Quantity surveyor
- Party Wall surveyor
- Planning and Development Surveyor
- Valuation surveyor
- Commercial surveyor
- Residential surveyor
- Building surveyor
- Chartered Surveyor
1. Land Surveyor (Geomatics Surveyor)
If you enjoy being outside, you could work as a land surveyor. A land surveyor, known as a geomatics surveyor, surveys properties that are being considered for development.
Your employer or area of expertise will determine the kind of site you’ll be surveying, examples include commercial buildings, residential complexes, transportation hubs like airports and rail stations, heavy industry sites like mines, and many more.
A land surveyor’s duties include creating plots and measuring and revising boundary lines, among other things. These are significant because they ultimately aid in resolving disputes over boundary lines, pinpointing the locations of infrastructure and building sites, and contributing to the formation of maps and plans. Since land surveying involves a lot of precision, it calls for extensive training and licensing.
2. Environmental Survey
Measuring the effects that building will have on the neighbourhood and the environment around real estate is the responsibility of an environmental surveyor. Town planning, urban regeneration, polluted land, risk management, and environmental management and auditing are among the roles.
3. Rural Practice Surveyor
Farmers and landowners, among other stakeholders with an interest in rural land, can receive professional and technical advice from rural practice surveyors. They offer advice on how to maximise the value of their possessions, sell cattle, alter the usage of their property, and manage rural areas.
Surveyors specialised in rural practice areas are knowledgeable in environmental management, real estate, auctions, appraisals, and rental and lease assessments.
4. Quantity Surveyor
A quantity surveyor oversees the budgets and expenses related to construction projects. Quantity surveyors manage building projects’ contractual and financial surveying requirements and ensure the projects are finished within the allocated budget.
Owing to the position’s numerical complexity, a quantity surveyor’s work requires an analytical and mathematical skill set. Due to the high level of contact, this position necessitates communication between suppliers, contractors, and other project stakeholders, and negotiation skills are also highly valued in this capacity.
5. Planning and Development Surveyor
Surveyors specializing in planning and development advise on how best to use land and other property assets. They assess the built environment’s effects on society and the environment, considering factors such as mobility, renewable energy sources, technology integration, design, and building quality.
These experts frequently work for government agencies, financial institutions, real estate investment firms, property developers, and planning consultants.
6. Valuation Surveyor
A valuation surveyor will value any property, including commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. If they have received training in a particular specialization, they may also be referred to as residential or commercial surveyors. Usually, the valuation surveyor will examine properties or buildings to determine their worth, considering the dimensions, position, state, and other elements that affect a property’s overall valuation.
In addition, valuation surveyors are often hired to arrange property sales, write homebuyer reports, and offer advice on company rates or rental expenses.
7. Commercial Surveyor
Surveyors specializing in commercial real estate appraiser, buy, sell, manage, and lease property. They also strategically manage corporate property portfolios and negotiate with tenants and landlords. A typical employer for commercial surveyors is a private or public property consultancy or agency.
8. Residential Surveyor
Residential surveyors perform functions comparable to those of commercial surveyors; they appraise and survey real estate, acquire and sell residential property privately or at auction, manage home portfolios strategically, and offer development and investment advice.
9. Party Wall Surveyor
A party wall surveyor is an expert in the Party Wall Act of 1996, which outlines how to handle boundary disputes and prohibits party walls.
The act covers the following:
- excavation close to and below the foundation level of nearby structures
- new construction on or at the boundary of two properties
- work to an existing party wall or party structure
A party wall surveyor assists in settling neighbourly issues impartially, devoid of prejudice and self-interest. If two parties file a dispute, they may each designate a surveyor to resolve the disagreement and reach an Award concerning the party walls or boundary lines between adjacent properties or areas.
10. Building Surveyor
A building surveyor measures and evaluates the quality of certain building components before creating a report that can be included in legal documentation. They also analyze boundary lines, land limitations, building age and condition, structural dimensions, and numerous other factors.
Building surveying is regarded as one of the most varied occupations within surveying since building surveyors are frequently involved in many elements of the property and construction timeline.
11. Environmental Surveyor
Environmental surveyors gather data on the natural environment, including air quality, water quality, and land use. They conduct surveys and collect information on environmental compliance, land contamination, pollution, and ecological assessments.
They participate in environmental impact assessments to determine how construction affects the environment and vice versa to create suitable plans. Through their efforts, environmental hazards are better understood and mitigated, and sustainable practices are upheld across businesses.
12. Chartered Surveyor
Chartered surveyors are qualified professionals who have fulfilled the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) standards. Surveyors with a chartered status are held to higher expectations for their professional conduct and expertise.
This title covers a range of surveying specialties, including building, quantity, and land surveying.
To become a chartered surveying professional, you must finish tests, get accredited, undergo training, and participate in continuing education. This indicates how skilled and knowledgeable they are in their position.
Why Becoming a Surveyor Can Be Beneficial?
There are several advantages to working as a surveyor. According to the growing number of people selecting this career path, the different types of surveying profession offers a choice of rewarding and diversified tasks like topographic surveyor.
As surveyors progress in their professional journeys, they encounter numerous fresh prospects. They engage with teams spanning various fields and domains, such as architecture, occupational health and safety, and the construction sector.
Exposure to a range of businesses offers several benefits and opportunities, such as the ability to consider several career paths and extend one’s professional horizons. Furthermore, the potential for increased compensation increases with experience.