Residential Surveying: My Step Up From Estate Agency.
Sava graduate, Zak Ahmed, chose the Sava Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation as his way to advance his property expertise and trade in his estate agency role for a professional career in surveying. We caught up with him to discover how the Sava diploma has impacted his life, where it has taken his career and how he found his surveyor training experience. Over to you, Zak!
What was your background before training as a surveyor?
I was Branch Manager at an Estate Agents – I started six years ago as a Junior Negotiator and worked my way up through the company to manage staff and oversee operations. My entire career to date has been in the property industry, where I’ve built a strong foundation of experience.
What was your motivation for becoming a residential surveyor?
It doesn’t suit me being sat at a desk all day. I felt like I needed something that wasn’t solely office-based – something with a practical element to it that offered a different challenge every day. There’s so much you can do as a residential surveyor, and it seemed like a natural progression for me.
Years ago, I attended a Property Mark conference and Sava was there doing a talk, which sparked my interest. I originally thought about becoming an architect, but the conversations I had with surveyors were extremely positive and they turned me around.
What was it that made you choose the Sava diploma as your training route?
I started working when I was 16 and completing my A-Levels, and I enjoyed both the work and the income so much that I chose not to go to university, which was a good decision as I haven’t walked away with a huge student debt.
Sava appealed to me because I could do a lot of the self-study during the evenings and weekends, without giving up work. I like to stay busy, so between work and the Sava diploma, I had something to do all the time. It was the best of both worlds for me, and it worked out really well.
“The guidance and direction from the Sava team was excellent – I felt supported all the way through.”
How did you find the Sava training experience?
At first, I found time management a bit of a challenge, but it’s a high-level course so that was to be expected, and I adjusted to it quite quickly. The guidance and direction from the Sava team was excellent – I felt supported all the way through.
The course is also a great place to make friends to stay in touch with once qualified, which is invaluable. Having those connections around me was incredibly motivating. The Sava training was a fantastic experience for me.
What was the highlight of your Sava experience?
Attending the practical days at Sava’s training properties was the stand-out highlight. You get the opportunity to go out to different properties with different surveyors to learn their approaches to property inspections. It’s a tangible, hands-on learning experience that puts everything into context.
What have you been up to since qualifying?
I qualified the first week of January 2025 and secured a position with a surveying firm just two weeks later. I’m now based in Bournemouth working for IQS, a nationwide surveying firm.
Since starting at IQS, I can see that everything I’ve trained for with Sava was worth it. I’m loving the job so far. My favourite aspect of the the role is the independence. I can visit a property, complete my survey and then head home to write up my report. All of my reports are currently sent to a senior surveyor for review, so I’m learning new things and developing my expertise every day.
“I wasn’t enjoying Estate Agency and Sava gave me a way out. I’m now in a career for which I have a real passion and that makes all the difference.”
What are your aspirations for the future?
I’d like to complete some further study to build on my expertise, and one day I plan to become Chartered and have the MRICS designation after my name. I’m looking into completing a Master’s degree in Building Surveying so that I can start my journey towards MRICS, but I’d like to gain some more experience before I tackle that challenge!
Can you describe the impact the Sava diploma has had on your life so far?
The Sava diploma has had a huge impact on my life. I knew surveying was my next career move and Sava provided an accessible pathway into the profession. I’m absolutely loving it. I wasn’t enjoying Estate Agency and Sava gave me a way out. I’m now in a career for which I have a real passion and that makes all the difference.
“I’m now exactly where I wanted to be, and a lot quicker than expected. The Sava diploma is excellent and I don’t think enough people know about it!”
Would you recommend the Sava diploma to others?
I would definitely recommend the Sava diploma, and especially to anyone who needs to continue working while making their career change. It’s tough to juggle employment and a career change, but you can do it if you’re motivated. My cohort and the Sava team were very supportive, so you’ll get through it and it’ll be one of the best things you do.
Since qualifying and working at a firm, I’ve realised just how well-respected the Sava diploma is within the surveying community. It provides a great way into the profession for those not wanting to go down the standard university route. Firms seem to love Sava graduates because we’re taught to a really high standard. I’ve not come across anything so far that I don’t know how to deal with.
I had a really great experience from start to finish and I’m now exactly where I wanted to be, and a lot quicker than expected. The Sava diploma is excellent and I don’t think enough people know about it!
To find out more about becoming a residential surveyor through the Sava Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation, head to our course page. Alternatively, one of our expert course advisors would be glad to walk you through the programme. Contact the team on 01908 442158 or email hello@sava.co.uk