If you are looking for a pathway into residential building surveying, this diploma is a unique qualification giving those without a relevant degree the opportunity to join the profession.
The Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation is the only vocational route to becoming a residential building surveyor. It is a Level 6, degree-equivalent qualification overseen by the Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE) and enables those without a relevant degree or experience to train as residential surveyors and property valuers. It’s approved for Direct Entry into the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)* meaning you can join RICS as an Associate member and start earning as a surveyor as soon as you are qualified. The diploma is also accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
Key features
You’ll be able to undertake RICS Home Survey, valuations and other condition surveys, or utilise your residential surveying skills within organisations such as housing providers to identify risks and defects
There’s a high demand for surveying services across the UK and a limited supply of new residential surveyors
A career in residential surveying offers great freedom and flexibility such as working for yourself, with an established firm or with housing organisations
It’s vocational, meaning you’re taught real-life skills – so when you finish you’ll be ready to start your career and, if working independently, start earning fees
Gain a deep understanding of residential construction, building pathology and valuation – essential skills that are desperately needed to look after the UK’s 29 million residential properties
Study is part-time and can be undertaken in 24 months, so you can complete it whilst continuing to work in your current role.
Everything you need to know about our residential building surveyor training:
The diploma is a vocational qualification, meaning it gives you the skills and knowledge to be a well-rounded residential building surveyor.
Scroll down for an overview of training and assessment or alternatively download our more in-depth Residential Surveyor Training Guide for a complete look at the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation and more information about the profession. You can also request a hard copy here.
Training Training is delivered part-time over 15 months via a mix of virtual classrooms, online learning and face-to-face sessions at locations around the country.
Assessment You will need to complete a portfolio for assessment. This includes 10 condition reports and valuations so that you can demonstrate your technical knowledge, as well as written tasks to assess your business and interpersonal skills. It is through this assessment stage that you demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge to be a residential building surveyor. After this, there are 2 multiple-choice examinations.
How long does it take? Our residential building surveyor training is delivered over 15 months. The assessment phase starts 11 months into the qualification and takes between 12-18 months to complete (learner dependent).
Trainer expertise The training is delivered by leading surveying practitioners – many of whom deliver training for RICS and have written much of the industry guidance and textbooks that are used on the diploma. You can read more about our trainers here.
How much study do I need to undertake to become a residential building surveyor? This depends on the relevance of your past work experience and your individual learning style. Most learners dedicate 10-15 hours each week to studying.
What are the entry requirements? There are no formal requirements for entry onto this qualification. However, we recommend that you possess a good understanding of English Writing, Mathematics and IT skills at an equivalent standard to GCSE level C.
Who is the qualification designed for? The course teaches you everything you need to become a competent residential building surveyor with no previous experience. It is, therefore, suitable for anyone to undertake; however, a background in the property or construction industry would be an advantage.
*The Sava diploma is eligible for Direct Entry to RICS at Associate Level. RICS require individuals to demonstrate an equivalent to one year’s full-time experience which can be gained concurrently whilst undertaking the diploma.Relevant experience can include a wide range of activities such as working with a practicing surveyor or in estate or letting agency, property management, construction, energy, or sustainability. Experience that you gain whilst on the diploma programme also counts towards this one year’s equivalent experience. In addition, not all the experience is required to be technical in nature, and therefore experience you have outside of property may also be relevant. Our course advisers are here to talk to you about your own circumstances and background and how they might fit in with this criteria, please call us on 01908 442158 to discuss.
Course modules:
1. Induction Introduction to the course, meeting the team, systems overview. Introduction to key learning and surveying skills.
2. Being A Professional This module discusses everything it means to be a professional residential building surveyor and introduces ethics, client care, communication, regulation, and professional conduct. It covers conflict avoidance, management, and dispute resolution procedures.
3. Law Law underpins the whole qualification. This module introduces law and discusses how it is made and introduces some land law concepts such as easements, restrictive covenants, contract law, negligence, and occupiers’ liability. It also covers legal and regulatory compliance.
4. Property Research and Observation Observational and research skills are essential for surveying and these modules introduce completing thorough property research as well as developing the skills needed to ’see’ and record those observations. This module also includes the importance of keeping property records and data management and introduces health and safety.
5. Valuation These modules provide the fundamental knowledge and understanding to complete RICS-compliant valuations of residential properties. The content takes you through valuation from an introduction to the concept of ‘what is value’, the process required in valuing a property using the comparable method, macro and micro economic factors that affect value and understanding the legal and regulatory requirements embedded in this subject area. The approach is practical and includes the use of lender guidance, recording of relevant data used in the valuation process and using supporting software to help determine the property value. A range of specialist valuation methods in Residual, New Build and Investment are also included.
6. Investigating Residential Property – Case Study Properties These modules focus on how properties are built and what can go wrong. They look at sites, foundations, floors, roofs, walls, and joinery. We explore how residential buildings should be correctly built and the process of diagnosing the cause of defects such as building movement, dampness etc.
7. Investigating Residential Property – Building Services This module looks at service systems and what can go wrong. It covers inspection and testing of electrical systems, heating services, plumbing and drainage.
8. Inspecting Property Building upon the observation and recording skills from earlier in the course, this focuses on the inspection ‘agenda’ and equipment. It covers property measurement in depth (including industry regulatory standards) and looks at residential rebuilding costs. It also covers health and safety whilst on site.
9. Consistent Report Writing This module looks in detail at how to report findings to clients and the importance of client care. It covers the production and distribution of condition reports, the duty to the client and principles of good report writing.
10. Investigating Residential Property – Practical Days The practical days are site visits to a range of real properties to carry out a full inspection and gain experience as a residential building surveyor. This is then followed by a detailed analysis of your findings to determine what defects might exist and how impactful they would be on the owner. Please note: regardless of course location, these site visits take place in Milton Keynes. The practical sessions will be followed by an overview day to ensure you develop a robust inspection technique to carry forward into your new residential surveying career.
11. Energy & Sustainability This module focuses on sustainability using the ‘three pillar’ framework. It looks in depth at energy efficiency and how appropriate energy improvement measures and renewable technologies can contribute to the carbon-saving agenda. It covers RdSAP conventions as part of this, but the course does not give you the ability to produce EPCs.
12. Introduction to Assessment This covers the preparation needed for the assessment process, how to present evidence for your qualification, and an overview of how to use the online e-portfolio system.
Once training and assessment are complete, you will have achieved an industry-recognised qualification enabling you to competently practise as a residential building surveyor.
Course Fees:
Developing yourself and advancing your career is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The Level 6 Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation is not just a course, it’s an investment in your future, propelling you into an exciting and fulfilling profession.
For course fees and payment options, head to our dedicated Course Fees page.
The majority of the diploma is delivered through virtual classrooms and online learning, with 8 face-to-face classroom days delivered at your chosen course location and a further 4 practical days delivered at our training properties in Milton Keynes.
The current intakes open for booking can be found below. Refreshments and lunch are provided on all days.
Training in Milton Keynes will commence with the Induction Day (virtual) on 19th September 2024. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Venue details: Kents Hill Training and Conference Centre, Timbold Drive, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ What3Words: foster.fork.crop Click to view full Course Dates
Training in Manchester will commence with the Induction Day (virtual) on 9th October 2024. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Early bird discount of £500 off course fees available until 16th August 2024.
Training in London will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 29th October 2024. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Early bird discount of £500 off course fees available until 6th September 2024.
Training in Southampton will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 11th December 2024. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Early bird discount of £500 off course fees available until 18th October 2024.
Training in Southampton will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 15th April 2025. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Early bird discount of £500 off course fees available until 18th February 2025.
Venue details: Novotel Bristol Centre, Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6HY Full course dates: TBC
I found the qualification really worthwhile. It was hard work but it was worth it to get me where I am today, employed by a national surveying firm. I would absolutely recommend the Sava diploma.
NATASHA PALCZUK SAVA GRADUATE
I enjoyed the qualification experience, which was engaging thanks to the Sava tutoring team and the course intake comprising diverse candidates with their own life experiences and career backgrounds
Martin Druce Sava Graduate
The Diploma has been the best thing I have ever done! It is a great course, perfectly targeted for the job role after the course with excellent lecturers. It is easy to understand and progress through at your own pace.
I now have a great job that I enjoy every day!”
Rebecca Brydon Sava Graduate
I think the main selling point was that I could carry on working full-time whilst doing the course. I needed good time management skills to get through all the work but it was well worth it! It’s the best thing I’ve ever done from a career perspective.
Callum Walker Sava Graduate, now owner of WR Surveying
The course caters for both sides of the coin, people who have a reasonable knowledge of property and those who are just starting out on their journey. The trainers worked at the speed of the group and if there was something that seemed to be troubling the group, they would spend more time on this and ensure that everyone understood what/why/how before moving on to the next section.”
Jamie Hiller SAVA GRADUATE
If property is your passion, then I would not hesitate to recommend the course. It is a genuine gateway to profession that is both rewarding and fulfilling. A great career opportunity with many open doors once qualified.”
Tim Crow Graduated from the Sava Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation in May 2021
The average basic salary within one year of graduating was £41,750, and for those graduating more than 3 years ago, £61,000.
Based on 88 responses. Salary excludes any employer discretionary bonus
“How long did it take a Sava graduate to find employment after graduating?”
96% found employment within 3 months of graduating
“Based on 46 responses. Excludes those who went into self-employment.”
“Where do Sava graduates work?”
“Based on 78 responses. 3 additional responses confirmed they weren’t currently in work.”
“How satisfied are Sava graduates with their career?”
When asked to rate their satisfaction, Sava graduates average score was 80 out of 100
“Based on 83 responses, with 80 being the median answer. 0 was very dissatisfied, and 100 was very satisfied.”
Becoming professional surveyors
93% of graduates went on to become members of the RICS
Based on 86 responses
Other positive feedback from the survey
Becoming a Surveyor is the best decision I have ever made with regard to work. Every day is different. Sava have my thanks for that.”
“The Sava course has been a total life changer for me and my family. We have never been happier : )”
“2 years working for a small practice and then setup my own business which is going very well.”
“Best thing I ever did. Passed and went self-employed the next day – I now have to make sure I take time off so as to stay under the vat threshold of £85k – I should have done this years ago – freedom to work as I wish , earn good money and enjoy every job I go to – even if it is a dark damp cellar….”
“Sava was a fantastic course and route into the industry. You get out what you put in, my future earnings and career path are looking very positive.”
Download and read later
Our take away PDF contains a qualification overview and key information…
