Terms of Service

Terms and conditions for using this website and our surveying services

Last updated: 1 January 2025 Version: 2.0 Governing law: England and Wales

  Please read these Terms carefully before using our website or commissioning our services. By using this website or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Definitions

In these Terms of Service:

  • "Surrey Surveyor", "we", "us" or "our" means Surrey Surveyor Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales.
  • "Client", "you" or "your" means the person or organisation accessing our website or commissioning our services.
  • "Services" means all professional surveying, valuation and advisory services provided by Surrey Surveyor.
  • "Website" means www.surreysurveyor.com and all associated pages.
  • "Report" means any survey report, valuation report, defect analysis, or written advice delivered to the Client.

2. About Us

Surrey Surveyor is a trading name of Surrey Surveyor Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. We are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA), and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Our surveyors hold MRICS, FRICS, and MCIOB professional designations.

Registered address: Surrey, England
Email: info@surreysurveyor.com
Website: www.surreysurveyor.com

3. Website Use

By accessing and using this website, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the website immediately.

3.1 Permitted Use

You may use this website for lawful purposes only. You must not:

  • Use the website in any way that is unlawful, fraudulent or harmful
  • Transmit any unsolicited commercial communications (spam)
  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the website or its server
  • Reproduce, copy or resell any part of the website without our express written permission
  • Introduce malware, viruses or any malicious code

3.2 Accuracy of Information

The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep information accurate and up to date, we make no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, accuracy or suitability of the content. Nothing on this website constitutes professional surveying advice; you should always commission a formal survey for any property transaction.

4. Our Services

Surrey Surveyor provides the following professional services:

  • RICS Level 3 Building Survey – comprehensive structural inspection for older, larger or unusual properties
  • RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report – condition and advice survey for conventional properties in reasonable condition
  • Party Wall Surveyor Services – notices, awards and dispute resolution under the Party Wall Act 1996
  • RICS Valuations – Red Book valuations for mortgage, Help to Buy, shared ownership, probate and other purposes
  • Defect Analysis Reports – targeted inspections of specific defects including damp, subsidence, and structural cracking
  • Commercial Surveys – building surveys for commercial and mixed-use properties

All surveys are carried out in person by a qualified, accredited surveyor. We do not outsource surveys to third parties.

5. Engagement & Contract

5.1 Forming a Contract

A contract for services is formed when:

  • We provide you with a written quotation (by email or letter), and
  • You accept that quotation in writing (by email reply, signed letter of engagement, or online confirmation), and
  • You pay the agreed fee (or agreed deposit, where applicable)

Verbal agreements do not constitute a binding contract. A formal letter of engagement confirming the scope, terms and fee will be issued before any inspection takes place.

5.2 Scope of Services

The scope of each survey is defined in our Letter of Engagement and the relevant RICS or RPSA standard terms. We inspect accessible and visible parts of the property only. We do not open up, dismantle or test services unless agreed in writing in advance.

5.3 Access to Property

The Client is responsible for arranging access to the property on the agreed survey date. If access is refused or the property is inaccessible, a cancellation / abortive visit fee may be charged (see Section 7).

6. Fees & Payment

6.1 Quotation

All fees are quoted inclusive of VAT (where applicable) unless otherwise stated. Our quotation is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

6.2 Payment Terms

  • Residential surveys: Full payment is required before the survey takes place, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • Party wall services: Fees are typically recovered from the building owner under the Party Wall Act. We will advise on the fee structure at the outset.
  • Commercial surveys: A 50% deposit is required to secure the appointment; the balance is due on delivery of the report.
  • Valuations: Full payment required before instruction, unless a credit account has been agreed.

6.3 Accepted Payment Methods

We accept payment by bank transfer (BACS), credit or debit card, and cheque (allow 5 working days for clearance).

6.4 Late Payment

Invoices not paid within 14 days of the due date will accrue interest at 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. We reserve the right to withhold delivery of a report until payment is received.

7. Cancellation & Refunds

7.1 Cancellation by You

  • More than 5 working days before the survey: Full refund, minus any reasonable administration fee (maximum £50 + VAT).
  • 2–5 working days before the survey: 50% of the survey fee will be retained.
  • Less than 2 working days (48 hours) before the survey: No refund will be issued.
  • Abortive visit (access refused on the day): Full survey fee charged plus reasonable travel expenses.

7.2 Cancellation by Us

In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a confirmed appointment, we will provide as much notice as possible and offer a full refund or an alternative date at your discretion.

7.3 Consumer Cancellation Rights

If you are a consumer (not acting in a business capacity), you have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days of agreeing to it (cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013). However, if you request the survey to be carried out within this 14-day period and the inspection has already taken place, you will be liable for the costs incurred.

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1 Scope of Report

Our reports are prepared for the stated Client and for the specific purpose identified in the Letter of Engagement. They are not to be relied upon by third parties, and we accept no liability to any third party who uses or relies on any Report prepared for another party.

8.2 Liability Cap

Our total liability to you for any claim arising from or in connection with our services (whether in contract, tort, negligence, or otherwise) shall not exceed the fee paid by you for the specific survey giving rise to the claim, unless we have specifically agreed a higher limit in writing.

8.3 Exclusions

We shall not be liable for:

  • Defects that were not visible or accessible at the time of inspection
  • Defects discovered only after intrusive investigation (e.g. opening up floors, walls)
  • Consequential loss, loss of profits, or indirect losses of any kind
  • Losses arising from your failure to act on the recommendations in a Report within a reasonable time
  • Losses attributable to defects in information you provided to us

8.4 Consumer Rights

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

9. Professional Standards

All surveys are carried out in accordance with the relevant RICS Professional Standards and Guidance Notes, including (as applicable):

  • RICS Home Survey Standard (2021) – for Level 2 and Level 3 residential surveys
  • RICS Valuation – Global Standards (Red Book) – for RICS valuations
  • RICS Party Wall Legislation guidance – for party wall matters
  • RPSA Building Survey Standard – for RPSA-format surveys

Our surveyors are subject to RICS Rules of Conduct and carry professional indemnity insurance as required by RICS.

10. Complaints Procedure

We take complaints seriously and aim to resolve all concerns promptly and fairly.

10.1 Internal Complaints

If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, please contact us in the first instance:

We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and aim to provide a substantive response within 28 days.

10.2 RICS Dispute Resolution

If your complaint remains unresolved after our internal process, you may refer it to the RICS Dispute Resolution Service:

10.3 RPSA Complaints

Alternatively, for RPSA-standard surveys, you may contact the RPSA at rpsa.org.uk.

11. Intellectual Property

All content on this website — including text, images, logos, graphics, and design — is owned by or licensed to Surrey Surveyor Ltd and is protected by UK and international copyright law.

You may print or download content from this website for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from this website's content without our prior written consent.

Survey reports are provided to the Client for their personal use only. Reports must not be shared with third parties (including other buyers or advisors) without our written consent. Unauthorised disclosure of a Report may constitute a breach of copyright and professional liability disclaimers.

12. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g. RICS, government portals, mapping services). These links are provided for convenience only. We have no control over the content of third-party websites and accept no responsibility for them or for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of them.

13. Governing Law

These Terms of Service and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Both parties agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales for the resolution of any dispute. However, if you are a consumer, you may also be entitled to bring proceedings in the courts of the country in which you reside.

14. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the website or services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

We recommend that you review these Terms periodically. For material changes affecting an existing service contract, we will notify you by email in advance.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

These Terms of Service were last reviewed and updated on 1 January 2025 and are compliant with the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, and applicable RICS Professional Standards.