Setting up as a Surveyor

Partly inspired by nFrost's experiences and also many others over the years, my colleague and I were talking about setting up a Surveying business specialising in Historic Buildings.

Got 20 years experience of working on every type of listed building from Cob cottages thru to Castles and Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Not thought of specialising in surveys exclusively before, although I have done a few, including one for Doctor Who's Brother

Would also be offering a service to (tear to shreads) disprove other surveys that insist on unnescessary works.

What do you folk think of this idea?

 

I *NEED* you!!!

(Can you make 1545hrs, Thursday?) *insert praying smiley*

 

PS: I'll bring homemade cake/bread and even throw in a roast meal (vegetarian style)

 

I like the idea but do you need qualifications - or have you already got those? Would you need to be chartered? How would you get the work, and is there a need for surveyors specialising in historic buildings? Would you still carry on with your current job while building up the new business?

 

Zigs, nothing ventured, nothing gained But, as L-I-F said, doesn't one need to be chartered?

 

Unless they've stitched it up in the past 10 years, anyone can do a survey as long as they state their experience/qualifications.

Not looked too far into it yet, being tired, its just an idea we're banging around.

Looking at the surveys being produced, i'd say there is definitely a need for it, so much damage to historic buildings is caused by the results of surveys.

Like Scrungee mentioned in another thread, usual result of "damp" being found is to rip off internal plaster up to a metre internally.

Now if that was lime plaster and you replaced it with gypsum you'd fall foul of listed buildings consent, so you'd have to put it right at your own expense.

Worse still, if you destroyed a Wall Painting, you'd be looking at an unlimited fine and/or a year in prison

 

Have to do it remotely at the moment, got work on Thursday

 

Does Chartered mean paying protection money to a guild/mob?

 

I'm assuming that should a customer need funds (bank, whatever), then any report would need to be qualified? Dunno

 

Very probably Zigs.
I wasn't trying to be negative about your idea, the only experience I have of surveyors are those employed by mortgage lenders but I guess you'd be looking to be employed by a buyer getting their own survey done?

 

Will look into professional indemnity, had that a few years back. Got a shed load of college courses in building conservation, even taught on a few of them

 

Didn't see it as negative, on the contrary, thats why I started the thread, bit of brian storming

Looking at both.

Covering the client, and the bank/building society's interests, after all, they both want to know they are doing the right thing to protect their building/investments.

 

Zigs, I don't doubt your credentials Just check out the 'formalities'. Otherwise, I think it's a grey tide eel

 

Is Brian the surveyor whose report you're going to rip to shreds?