A
Chartered surveyor in the
United Kingdom is a
surveyor who is a member of the
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ("RICS"). Until the end of the 20th century, some members were members of the ISVA ("Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers"), but this organization merged with the RICS in 1999. In the reforms of the RICS in the 1990s, the former divisional structure of the institution was abolished, and the use of the alternative designations was retained solely for the use of members to retain clarification when informing clients of specialist areas of expertise. Despite the attempt to unify the profession under one title "chartered surveyor", there is very little in common across the whole range of disciplines that are within the grasp of all members. The core membership is based in the construction profession and another large sector deals with property ownership and management. Beyond these cores, there are marine, land, rural, and antiques specialists. Chartered surveyors in the core of the profession may offer mortgage valuations, homebuyer's surveys and valuations, full building surveys, building surveyors' services, quantity surveying, land surveying, auctioneering, estate management, and other forms of survey and building-related advice. It is not usual for an individual member to have expertise in several areas, and hence partnerships or companies are established to create general practices able to offer a wider spectrum of surveying services. map
Building surveying As well as surveying, building surveyors in the UK give advice on design, construction, maintenance and repair. They may also assess damage or dilapidations on behalf of an
insurance company. A Chartered Surveyor is one who attains MRICS professional membership via the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) by undergoing rigorous training and attaining key work experience across various technical competencies set out by the RICS who then in turn test, scrutinize, examine and assesses such candidates before awarding them Chartered status (MRICS). It is therefore accurate to say that all chartered surveyors can be qualified building surveyors, but not all qualified building surveyors are necessarily Chartered Surveyors.
Quantity surveying Quantity surveyors work for private and commercial clients,
main contractors and
subcontractors in the
construction industry. Their function is the management of the commercial interfaces of construction: writing, negotiating, awarding, and administering contracts, including variations and claims arising during the performance of a contract; cost control and
cost engineering, i.e. to document and estimate costs, progress, and risks. In the UK, not all quantity surveyors are necessarily chartered surveyors; some may be chartered through the
Chartered Institute of Building ("CIOB"). Albeit, the title of 'Chartered Quantity Surveyor' can only be used by Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Additional duties may include performing feasibility studies, preparing tenders, procuring materials, managing subcontractors, and even advice on taxation or building management. Surveyors may also be involved in dispute resolution. Quantity surveyors sometimes act as
project managers of a construction site. Land surveying encompasses
cadastral surveying,
cartography,
engineering surveying,
hydrographic surveying and
oceanographic surveying.
Auctioneering Firms of chartered surveyors sometimes act in property auctions.
Other aspects of surveying practice As well as the services mentioned above, UK chartered surveyors may offer advice in boundary disputes, business rates,
compulsory purchase matters and
party walls. ("Party walls" in the UK are walls on your property shared with your neighbors.)
Employers The largest employer of Chartered Surveyors is
Turner & Townsend.
Becoming a Chartered Surveyor In order to become a Chartered Surveyor, trainees must undertake a degree accredited by the RICS and pass the Assessment of Professional Competence. Occasionally RICS withdraws accreditation of degree courses. ==Notable Chartered Surveyors==