An independent firm of surveyors based in Surrey – client-focused, impartial and with over 20 years' experience.
Surrey Surveyor was founded on a simple belief: that buying a property is one of the most significant decisions anyone makes – and that everyone deserves honest, expert guidance to help them make it well.
Our founding director, James Thornton, spent his early career working for a large national surveying firm. He was good at the job. But he kept noticing the same thing: clients were getting reports, not relationships. Forms were being filled in, but conversations weren't being had.
So in 2004, James set up an independent practice in Surrey. Small enough to care, experienced enough to deliver. That's still who we are today.
Over the past two decades, Surrey Surveyor has grown into a trusted local firm serving home buyers and homeowners across the whole of Surrey, as well as parts of Kent, Sussex and West London. We've carried out more than 3,500 surveys, but we've never forgotten that behind every report is a person making a big decision.
We work for you – not for the estate agent, the seller or the mortgage lender. Our advice is always objective, honest and based solely on what we find at the property.
We believe a survey is the start of a conversation, not the end of it. You'll always speak to your named surveyor directly – before, during and after the report is delivered.
Every report we write is to the highest standard – whether it's a Level 2 HomeBuyer Report or a full commercial survey. We don't do average, because you're not making an average decision.
We have a deep understanding of Surrey's property landscape – from the Victorian stock in Reigate to the post-war estates in Guildford and the period homes of the Surrey Hills.
Surveying jargon can be impenetrable. We write our reports in plain, everyday English, so you know exactly what we found, why it matters and what you should do next.
We're fully accredited under RICS, CIOB and RPSA, and we maintain our professional standards not just because we have to – but because our clients' trust is worth protecting.
We're a small, experienced team – and that's entirely intentional. Every survey is carried out by one of our named surveyors, never outsourced.
Founding Director & Chartered Surveyor
James founded Surrey Surveyor in 2004 after more than a decade in residential and commercial property surveying. He has a deep understanding of Surrey's varied housing stock and has personally carried out over 2,000 surveys across the county. James is known for his personable approach and his ability to explain complex findings in plain English.
When he's not surveying, James can usually be found restoring his own Victorian terrace in Dorking – which, as he puts it, "keeps the skills sharp."
Chartered Building Surveyor & Party Wall Specialist
Sarah joined Surrey Surveyor in 2011, bringing with her a specialist background in party wall matters and new-build quality inspections. She's handled some of the most complex party wall cases across Surrey and West London, and is widely respected for her calm, methodical approach.
Sarah is particularly passionate about helping first-time buyers navigate the buying process – having been one herself and knowing exactly how stressful it can feel.
Senior Surveyor & RICS Registered Valuer
With over 25 years' experience across residential and commercial property, Robert is our most senior surveyor. He specialises in complex building surveys for older and unusual properties, as well as RICS valuations for lending, probate and matrimonial purposes. Robert has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Surrey's period housing stock.
"I've surveyed a 14th-century Surrey farmhouse and a brand new riverside apartment in the same week. Every property tells a different story."
Our accreditations aren't just letters after our names. They represent a commitment to the highest standards of professional practice, ongoing training and ethical conduct.
The gold standard in the UK surveying profession. RICS membership means our surveyors follow strict professional rules, carry appropriate insurance and are regulated by an independent professional body. RICS Registered Valuers are authorised to produce valuations for lending purposes.
The Chartered Institute of Building is the world's largest and most influential professional body for construction management and the built environment. CIOB accreditation underpins our technical expertise in building construction, defect diagnosis and project management.
The RPSA is a specialist body for residential property surveyors. Membership demonstrates our focus on residential building surveys and our commitment to developing and applying best practice in home surveys specifically.
James Thornton opens the first Surrey Surveyor office in Dorking, carrying out residential building surveys across Surrey.
Growing demand for party wall expertise leads us to launch our dedicated party wall surveyor service across Surrey.
Sarah brings specialist skills in party wall matters and first-time buyer surveys, helping us expand our client base across West London.
We celebrate completing our 1,000th survey with a bottle of Champagne and a commitment to keeping the same standards for the next 1,000.
Robert's arrival enables us to significantly expand our commercial property survey capability and our RICS valuation services.
Surrey Surveyor continues to grow on the strength of customer reviews and referrals. We're proud to remain what we've always been: a client-focused, independent firm you can trust.
"James took the time to walk me around the property at the end of the survey – explaining things I'd never have understood just from reading a report. That's the personal touch you just don't get from the big national firms."
"Sarah was brilliant. She explained the party wall process step by step, made sure our neighbour felt comfortable too, and got everything sorted without any dispute. Incredibly professional throughout."
"Robert's valuation report was thorough, well-argued and delivered right on time for our probate deadline. Exactly the sort of trusted professional service you hope to find. Highly recommended."