People often ask me what does a commercial building surveyor actually do? The answer is never straight forward and most people assume most of what we do is looking for dry rot and subsidence and/or report writing.
I have written this blog to help explain a little of what we actually do on a typical day.
First things first
Commercial building surveyors play a vital role in the construction and maintenance of commercial properties. Their expertise and attention to detail ensure that buildings are safe, compliant with regulations, and suitable for their intended purpose.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at the daily work of a commercial building surveyor, shedding light on the diverse tasks they undertake and the challenges they face.
Morning Routine
A typical day for a commercial building surveyor often begins early with a review of their diary and prioritising the days tasks. They start by checking emails and messages to address any urgent client inquiries or issues. The surveyor may need to schedule site visits, prepare reports, and coordinate with other professionals involved in ongoing projects.
Clear communication and time management skills are essential to ensure a smooth workflow throughout the day. Technology is used constantly to keep on top of each working day and to improve the quality of advice and reports.
Site Inspections
A significant part of a commercial building surveyor’s work involves conducting site inspections. They visit construction sites or existing buildings to assess their condition, compliance with regulations, and overall safety. The surveyor examines the structural integrity, electrical and plumbing systems, fire safety measures, and accessibility features, among other aspects. They can’t always do everything, so work with a large network of other professionals to ensure clients get the advice and recommendations they need.
During site visits, the surveyor takes detailed notes, measurements, and photographs to document the existing conditions accurately. They use specialist equipment such as drones, laser levels, thermal imaging cameras, or moisture meters to assess specific aspects of the building fabric. Attention to detail and a thorough understanding of construction techniques and materials are crucial during these inspections.
Reports & Documentation
Following a site inspection, the commercial building surveyor consolidates their findings into a comprehensive report. Depending on the type of property and inspection required the report usually highlights any building fabric issues, advises on costs, risks and strategy or simply states that everything is ok and as expected.
Summary of duties and why we do it
At Sanderson Weatherall our key duty is to provide added value to clients dealing with commercial property. By identifying issues early, advising on strategies to deal with landlords or tenants and by being proactive, responsive and agile we believe we are one of the market leaders in the commercial building surveying sector.
Ultimately, the majority of building surveyors are building and property enthusiasts, and they love nothing more than finding a spectacular dry rot infestation or an unusual form of construction to investigate. This interest and passion for their subject, combined with SW’s diverse client base and varied property types naturally leads to the ability to excel and provide great work and high levels of customer service and satisfaction.
If you are interested in finding out more about the services we offer or are a commercial building surveyor looking to take the next step in your fascinating career please get in touch with the team.