Residential Surveying Courses: All You Need to Know.
In the last decade, great inroads have been made to make the surveying profession more accessible, with more modern, vocational residential surveying courses now available as well as the more traditional university programmes.
What is a Residential Surveyor?
A residential surveyor is a professional who assesses, reports and advises on the condition of residential properties, typically houses and flats. They play a crucial role in keeping the housing market moving by providing homebuyers, homeowners and housing providers with important information on property condition and building safety.
What do residential surveying courses teach you?
The duties of a residential surveyor can vary widely, but some typically residential surveying courses teach you how to:
- Conduct detailed surveys and inspections of residential properties.
- Identify structural defects or issues and recommend appropriate solutions or further investigation.
- Prepare reports detailing the condition of the property.
- Advise clients on renovation, extension, or repair works.
- Ensure compliance with building regulations and safety standards.
What qualifications and skills does a residential surveyor need?
To become a successful residential surveyor, typically you will need to undertake a residential surveying course. You would typically need:
- Academic Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in surveying or a related field such as construction, civil engineering, or architecture is often required. Alternatively, for those who are unable to undertake full time study, or for whom university is not an option, the Sava Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation provides a part-time, vocational route into the profession that can be completed alongside full time employment. The qualification is industry recognised and sought after by UK surveying firms.
- Skills: Besides academic qualifications, a successful residential surveyor should possess a range of skills including excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, good communication skills, a thorough understanding of building regulations, and the ability to work under pressure.
Enhancing Employability
In addition to the essential qualifications and skills, the following can enhance your employability:
- Professional Memberships: Whilst not compulsory, after completing their surveying qualification, many surveyors choose to apply for membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
- Postgraduate Degree: A postgraduate degree in building surveying or a related field can provide more specialised knowledge and make you more attractive to employers.
- Experience: Practical experience in construction, property management, or a related field can be advantageous.
Remember, becoming a residential surveyor is not just about obtaining the right qualifications – it’s also about developing a broad range of skills and gaining practical experience in the industry. It’s a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the quality of residential properties and the lives of the people who live in them.
Sava’s Residential Building Surveyor Courses in the UK
Sava offers a comprehensive programme for individuals interested in becoming residential surveyors. The Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation is a level 6 qualification that provides a vocational route into the profession in just 24 months, with courses taking place around the UK at different times of the year.
Entry Requirements and Study Modes:
This diploma does not require a relevant degree for entry and has no other formal entry requirements, making it an accessible pathway for those new to the field. The course is studied part time, allowing learners to balance their studies with other commitments.
Course Duration and Accreditations:
The duration of the course is typically 24 months and is split into training and assessment. The assessment phase of the qualification is self-directed which will dictate how long it takes to complete the diploma. More determined learners have completed the diploma in just 18 months. Upon completion, Sava graduates can gain direct entry to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) at Associate level.
Course Curriculum:
The curriculum covers a broad range of topics, including:
- Professional Issues: This module introduces students to the professional responsibilities and ethical considerations in surveying.
- Valuation: Students learn about different valuation methods and how to apply them in various contexts.
- Construction: This module provides an understanding of building materials and construction techniques.
- Law: Students gain knowledge of property law and legal issues related to surveying.
- Inspecting Property: This practical module involves learning how to conduct thorough property inspections.
Key Skills and Certifications
Upon completion of the course, learners should have mastered key skills such as conducting detailed property inspections, identifying building defects, and providing accurate valuations. They will also receive the Level 6 Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation, which is recognised by RICS as well as UK surveying firms.
Career Guidance and Membership
Sava provides career guidance and support to its learners, offering webinars featuring Sava graduates who share their experiences and insights into the profession as well as introductions to other industry professionals and firms. These valuable resources can help students understand the practical implications of their studies and prepare for their future careers.
Residential Surveying Courses: A Comparison
Sava’s Residential Building Surveyor Training
Benefits:
- Flexible learning: The course can be completed part time, making it ideal for those balancing work or other commitments.
- No prior experience required: The course welcomes newcomers to the field, requiring no previous experience in surveying.
- Focused learning: The diploma is specifically focused on the residential sector, providing a thorough learning experience for those who know they’d like to specialise in residential property.
- Streamlined training: Unlike the traditional 3-5-year degree route, the Sava diploma takes just 24 months to complete and you can practise as soon as you qualify.
- Blended delivery: Learners experience a mix of virtual classrooms, online learning, face-to-face sessions and practical property visits, helping to keep travel to a minimum.
- All training materials supplied: The course fee includes access to key software programmes, all textbooks and exam fees (of which there are two, both multiple choice).
- Direct entry to RICS: Upon completion, Sava graduates can gain direct entry to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) at Associate level.
- High demand: Sava graduates are reportedly in high demand in the surveying industry, with many employers praising the calibre of surveyors graduating through the Sava diploma.
- Networking opportunities: Students can join webinars and attend Sava’s annual Residential Surveying Expo to network with other graduates, surveying professionals, firms and service providers.
Traditional Undergraduate Residential Surveying Course
Benefits:
- Broader education: A traditional university course often provides a more general overview of surveying, covering more topics, allowing for specialisation further down the line.
- Networking opportunities: Universities often provide numerous opportunities for networking with peers, faculty, and industry professionals.
- Access to facilities: Students typically have access to university facilities, including libraries and study spaces.
Why choose Sava?
In conclusion, Sava’s surveyor training offers a flexible, streamlined and direct route into the residential surveying profession, making it an excellent option for those looking to change careers or balance their studies with other commitments. A traditional university course provides a broader education as well as the traditional university experience, ideal for those who value a fully face-to-face learning experience and the support of the wider university network.
Overall, the Sava diploma is more cost effective and requires no prior experience to enrol.
To find out more about the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation, contact a course advisor on 01908 442158 or email us at hello@sava.co.uk.
FAQs about becoming a residential surveyor in the UK:
Q1: What qualifications do I need to become a residential surveyor?
A: You typically need a bachelor’s degree in surveying or a related field such as construction, civil engineering, or architecture, or a vocational qualification such as the Sava Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation which is has no formal entry requirements.
Q2: Is professional membership necessary to work as a residential surveyor?
A: No. Many choose to join the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) after qualifying as membership is prestigious, enables you to offer RICS Home Surveys and showcases that you work to the highest professional and ethical standards. However, many surveyors choose not to gain professional memberships and still have successful surveying careers offering condition surveys to homebuyers and homeowners. Professional memberships aside, the most important part of being a surveyor is technical expertise and area knowledge.
Q3: Are there any specific skills required to be a successful residential surveyor?
A: Residential surveying courses aside, a successful residential surveyor should possess excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, good communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.
Q4: Can I become a residential surveyor with a non-related degree?
A: Yes, it is possible but you will need to undertake a postgraduate conversion course that is accredited by RICS. Alternatively, you can undertake the Level 6 Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation (the only vocational route into the profession) which is equivalent to a degree in terms of academic rigour and enables you to qualify in just 24 months.
Q5: What type of experience is beneficial for becoming a residential surveyor?
A: Practical experience in construction, property management or a related field can be advantageous. This could include internships, part-time jobs or even volunteer work in the industry. We recommend shadowing a surveyor to understand if the role is right for you; however, no experience is necessary to enrol on the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation.
Q6: What career pathways can I follow with a qualification in residential surveying?
A: Having a qualification in residential surveying can open up various career paths. These include traditional surveying roles within established firms, working independently, providing consultancy or working within property development companies, housing associations and local authorities. You can even further specialise in areas such as party wall surveying, listed buildings and low-carbon retrofit.