Residential Surveyor

What does a residential surveyor do?

As a residential surveyor, you will use your expertise to assess the condition of homes and other domestic properties. You'll identify risks, issues and defects, and provide recommendations to improve the property – for example, seeking specialist advice, making repairs, or suggesting energy efficiency improvements.

Residential surveyors often work with homebuyers, homeowners, housing providers and developers, supporting construction projects and helping people buy, sell, or renovate homes.

The job role of a residential surveyor involves the following duties:

• Undertaking desktop research to familiarise yourself with the property
• Visiting the property to carry out a detailed inspection
• Identifying issues and defects and recommending further actions
• Highlighting potential safety or structural issues. 

How to become a residential surveyor

There are several routes to becoming a residential surveyor. You could complete an accredited vocational qualification, study at university, or undertake a degree-apprenticeship.

You should explore these options to find the right path for you.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

Industry training provider 

The quickest way to become a residential surveyor is through a vocational diploma. The ABBE Level 6 Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation, delivered by Sava, is the only qualification of its kind. This part-time course is industry-recognised, eligible for CITB funding, and approved for direct entry into:

• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

University

You could complete a RICS-accredited degree in subjects such as:

• Building Surveying
• Surveying.

These degrees offer a broad understanding of surveying before you specialise in residential property.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a university course
• Funding advice

Work experience 

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction and surveying industries. You could gain this at school or by shadowing a residential surveyor in your free time. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

• Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a residential surveyor include:

• Knowledge of residential property construction
• Understanding of building pathology
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Analytical thinking
• Basic IT skills.

How much could you earn as a residential surveyor?

The expected salary for a residential surveyor varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained residential surveyors can start at £26000
• Trained with experience residential surveyors can earn up to £53000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed an industry recognised training route. 

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources