Top 10 Surveying Businesses in Cardiff

For individuals and businesses in Cardiff involved in property transactions, development, or land management, the expertise of a qualified surveying business is invaluable. Surveyors provide crucial insights and assessments that inform decision-making and mitigate potential risks. This guide will explore the role of surveyors, highlight some of the leading surveying businesses in Cardiff, and discuss the benefits and costs associated with their services.

What Does a Surveyor Do?

A surveyor is a professional who measures and maps the land, the built environment, and natural resources. They provide precise spatial information and expert advice across a wide range of industries, including property, construction, infrastructure, and environmental management. The specific tasks undertaken by a surveyor can vary significantly depending on their specialisation.

Common responsibilities of a surveyor include:

?     Boundary Surveys: Determining and marking property boundaries, resolving boundary disputes, and preparing legal plans.

?     Topographical Surveys: Mapping the natural and man-made features of land, including elevations, contours, buildings, utilities, and vegetation. This data is essential for planning and design purposes.

?     Building Surveys (Structural Surveys): Assessing the structural integrity and condition of buildings, identifying defects such as damp, rot, and subsidence, and providing recommendations for repairs or maintenance.

?     Valuation Surveys: Providing expert opinions on the market value of properties for various purposes, such as mortgage applications, sales, and insurance.

?     Quantity Surveying: Managing and controlling the costs of construction projects, including preparing cost estimates, bills of quantities, and managing payments to contractors.

?     Land Surveying: A broad term encompassing various types of surveys related to land measurement, mapping, and legal boundaries.

?     Hydrographic Surveying: Surveying and mapping bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, to determine depths, navigation channels, and underwater features.

?     Geomatics and Geospatial Surveying: Utilising advanced technologies such as GPS, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and remote sensing to collect, analyse, and manage spatial data.

Top 10 Surveying Businesses in Cardiff

Here is a list of surveying businesses operating in Cardiff:

#1 Elliot Hill

Location: 137 Arabella Street, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 4SY

Elliot Hill is a leading surveying practice based in Cardiff, providing a comprehensive suite of surveying services to a diverse clientele. Their team of experienced and qualified surveyors is committed to delivering accurate, reliable, and professional advice across all aspects of property and land.

Elliot Hill prides itself on its client-focused approach, ensuring clear communication and tailored solutions to meet individual needs. Their expertise extends across residential and commercial properties, development sites, and land management projects, making them a trusted partner for a wide range of surveying requirements in the Cardiff region.

They leverage the latest technology and adhere to the highest industry standards to provide thorough and dependable surveying services.

Areas of Expertise:

?     RICS Building Surveys (Level 1, 2, 3)

?     HomeBuyer Reports

?     Valuation Surveys (residential and commercial)

?     Boundary Surveys and Dispute Resolution

?     Topographical Surveys

?     Measured Building Surveys

?     Project Management

?     Party Wall Matters

?     Expert Witness Services

#2 Watts

Location: 1st Floor, 4 Penhill Road, Cardiff, CF11 9NY

Watts is a national construction and property consultancy with a strong office in Cardiff. They offer a wide range of surveying services, particularly focusing on commercial property and construction-related surveying.

Areas of Expertise:

?     Building Surveying (commercial)

?     Project Management

?     Cost Management (Quantity Surveying)

?     Dilapidations

?     Due Diligence

#3 Bruton Knowles

Location: 3 Assembly Square, Cardiff, CF10 4AX

Bruton Knowles is a national property consultancy with a significant presence in Cardiff. They provide a broad spectrum of surveying services across various sectors, including commercial, rural, and utilities.

Areas of Expertise:

?     Commercial Property Valuation

?     Land Agency and Surveying

?     Utilities and Infrastructure Surveying

?     Planning and Development

?     Building Consultancy

#4 Cushman & Wakefield Location: No.1 Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF10 4BZ Cushman & Wakefield is a global real estate services firm with a substantial office in Cardiff. Their surveying team primarily focuses on commercial property valuation and advisory services.

?     Areas of Expertise:

?     Commercial Property Valuation

?     Investment Advisory

?     Agency Services

?     Global Occupier Services

#5 JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)

Location: 2 Central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1FS

JLL is another leading global real estate services firm with a strong presence in Cardiff. Their surveying services include valuation, building consultancy, and project management for commercial properties.

Areas of Expertise:

?     Commercial Property Valuation

?     Building Consultancy

?     Project and Development Services

?     Agency and Leasing

#6 Savills

Location: 2 Kingsway, Cardiff, CF10 3FD

Savills is a well-known international property consultancy with a prominent office in Cardiff. Their surveying teams cover residential and commercial valuations, building consultancy, and rural surveying.

Areas of Expertise:

?     Residential Valuation and Surveying

?     Commercial Valuation

?     Building Consultancy

?     Rural Surveying and Estate Management

#7 Lambert Smith Hampton

Location: 3 Callaghan Square, Cardiff, CF10 5BT

Lambert Smith Hampton is a national commercial property consultancy with a significant office in Cardiff. They offer a range of surveying services focused on the commercial sector.

Areas of Expertise:

?     Commercial Property Valuation

?     Building Consultancy

?     Lease Advisory

?     Property Management

#8 BNP Paribas Real Estate

Location: Central Square, 2 Capital Quarter, Cardiff, CF10 4BZ

BNP Paribas Real Estate has an office in Cardiff providing commercial property services, including valuation and building consultancy.

Areas of Expertise:

?     Commercial Property Valuation

?     Building Consultancy

?     Transaction Services

?     Property Management

#9 Harris & Birt

Location: 6 Court Road, Bridgend, CF31 1BN (Serving Cardiff)*

While based in Bridgend, Harris & Birt provides surveying services to the Cardiff area, specialising in residential surveys and valuations.

Areas of Expertise:

?     Residential Valuations

?     HomeBuyer Reports

?     Building Surveys

#10 White Horse Surveyors Ltd

Location: 1st Floor, 1 Talbot Street, Cardiff, CF11 9BW

White Horse Surveyors Ltd is a Cardiff-based firm offering residential property surveys, including HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys.

Areas of Expertise:

?     HomeBuyer Reports

?     Building Surveys

?     Valuation Services

Choosing the Right Surveying Business

Selecting the appropriate surveying business depends on the specific type of survey you require and the nature of your property or project. Consider the following factors when making your decision:

?     Specialisation: Ensure the firm has expertise in the specific type of survey you need (e.g., residential building survey, commercial valuation).

?     Qualifications and Accreditation: Check if the surveyors are qualified (e.g., RICS Chartered Surveyors).

?     Experience: Consider the firm's experience with properties or projects similar to yours.

?     Reputation: Look for online reviews and testimonials.

?     Location: While many firms serve Cardiff, a local presence can sometimes be beneficial.

?     Cost and Quote Transparency: Obtain a detailed quote outlining the scope of work and fees.

Benefits of Engaging a Surveying Business

Engaging a qualified surveying business offers numerous benefits for individuals and organisations involved in property and land-related activities:

?     Accurate Property Information: Surveyors provide precise measurements and detailed assessments, ensuring informed decision-making.

?     Risk Mitigation: Identifying potential issues such as structural defects or boundary discrepancies early on can save significant time and money in the long run.

?     Legal Compliance: Certain surveys are legally required for property transactions, planning permissions, and other regulatory processes.

?     Cost Management: Quantity surveyors play a crucial role in controlling construction costs and ensuring projects stay within budget.

?     Expert Advice: Surveyors offer professional guidance and recommendations based on their expertise and knowledge of relevant regulations and best practices.

?     Peace of Mind: Having a thorough survey conducted can provide peace of mind for property buyers and sellers.

?     Facilitating Development: Topographical surveys and other spatial data are essential for the successful planning and execution of construction and infrastructure projects.

?     Resolving Disputes: Boundary surveys and expert witness services can help resolve property line disagreements.

?     Environmental Assessment: Surveyors may be involved in environmental surveys, mapping habitats and assessing land for development impact.

Different Types of Surveying Services

As indicated in the "What Does a Surveyor Do?" section, the field of surveying encompasses various specialisations. When choosing a surveying business, it's important to identify one that offers the specific type of survey or expertise you require. For example, a building survey requires a different skillset than a topographical survey.

How Much Does Surveying Cost?

The cost of surveying services can vary widely depending on several factors, including:

?     Type of Survey: A basic boundary survey will typically cost less than a comprehensive structural survey.

?     Property Size and Complexity: Larger or more complex properties or sites will generally require more time and effort, leading to higher fees.

?     Location: Surveying costs can vary slightly depending on the geographic location.

?     Level of Detail Required: The scope and detail of the survey will influence the price.

?     Experience and Reputation of the Surveyor: More experienced and reputable firms may charge higher fees.

Here are some general cost ranges for common types of surveys in the UK (these are indicative and can vary in Cardiff):

?     Boundary Survey: £500 - £1,500+ (depending on complexity and size)

?     RICS Condition Report (Level 1 Building Survey): £300 - £900+ (depending on property size and value)

?     RICS HomeBuyer Report (Level 2 Building Survey): £400 - £1,500+ (depending on property size and value)

?     RICS Building Survey (Level 3 Structural Survey): £600 - £2,500+ (depending on property size and complexity)

?     Topographical Survey: Costs are highly variable depending on the size and terrain of the site, starting from a few hundred pounds for small sites to several thousand pounds for large or complex areas.

?     Valuation Survey: Fees are often a percentage of the property value, but can also be a fixed fee.

It is essential to obtain a detailed quote from the surveying business outlining the scope of work and the associated costs before proceeding.

Conclusion

Engaging a qualified surveying business in Cardiff is a crucial step in ensuring informed decisions and mitigating risks in property and land-related matters. The businesses listed above represent a range of expertise and specialisations within the surveying field. By understanding your specific needs and carefully evaluating your options, you can find the right surveying partner to provide the accurate and reliable information you require.