Our Story

Bristol Surveyors You Can Count On

We're a team of RICS, CIOB, and RPSA accredited surveyors who have called Bristol home for over 15 years. We built this practice on a simple idea: property buyers deserve honest, expert advice — not jargon.

Who We Are

A Firm of Surveyors Built on Local Knowledge

Bristol Surveyors was founded in 2008 by a group of RICS surveyors who shared a frustration: too many property buyers were being let down by impersonal, slow, and over-complicated survey services. They believed clients in Bristol deserved better.

So they set up a practice that does things differently. Plain-English reports. Fast turnaround. And a surveyor who actually answers the phone. Fifteen years later, that's still exactly what we do.

We're a firm of surveyors specialising in both residential and commercial property surveys. Every surveyor on our team holds professional accreditation — through RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building), or RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association). We don't outsource or use unqualified staff.

We've surveyed over 4,000 properties — from compact flats in the Bristol city centre to sprawling country homes in the Somerset countryside. And we've built a reputation for the kind of honest, detailed advice that helps people make smarter property decisions.

"We always remember that behind every survey is a real person about to make one of the biggest financial decisions of their life. That's why we take it seriously." — James Hartley, Director

Senior partner of Bristol Surveyors reviewing architectural drawings in a professional office
Our Values

What Makes Bristol Surveyors Different

We believe that great surveying is built on more than qualifications. It's about how you treat people, how you communicate, and how thoroughly you do the job.

Honesty

We tell you exactly what we find — good and bad. No sugarcoating, no vague language. You deserve the full picture.

Clarity

We write reports in plain English. No jargon, no unnecessary technical language — just clear advice you can act on.

Speed

We know that property transactions move fast. We offer prompt bookings and quick turnaround — typically 3–5 working days for your report.

People First

We always remember there's a real person behind every survey. We're approachable, responsive, and genuinely care about your outcome.

Meet the Team

Your Bristol Surveying Team

Our team of experienced surveyors brings together expertise in residential, commercial, and structural surveying across Bristol and the South West.

James Hartley, Director and Senior Building Surveyor at Bristol Surveyors

James Hartley

Director & Senior Surveyor

James founded Bristol Surveyors after 12 years working for national surveying firms. A Bristol native, he's built his career around understanding the city's unique property stock — from the Georgian grandeur of Clifton to the new developments rolling out across South Gloucestershire. He remains hands-on with client surveys and is particularly passionate about structural analysis on older properties. In his spare time, you'll find him cycling the Clifton Downs or watching Bristol City.

Sarah Chen, Surveyor at Bristol Surveyors specialising in residential property

Sarah Chen

Surveyor — Residential

Sarah joined the team in 2014 after completing her training in London and has quickly become one of our most in-demand surveyors. She specialises in residential property surveys and has an exceptional eye for the kind of detail that matters most to first-time buyers. Sarah is also one of our RICS registered valuers and handles many of our HomeBuyer Report and Level 3 instructions across Bristol and Bath. She lives in Redland with her partner and two rescue cats.

Marcus Webb, Building Surveyor – Commercial, Bristol Surveyors

Marcus Webb

Building Surveyor — Commercial

Marcus leads our commercial surveying division and brings nearly 20 years of experience across retail, office, and industrial sectors. He's worked extensively across the Bristol and Cheltenham commercial property market and has an in-depth understanding of the pre-acquisition survey process for investors and occupiers. Marcus also handles complex structural surveys and party wall matters for clients across the South West.

Our Accreditations

Members of the RICS and Other Leading Professional Bodies

Every surveyor on our team holds professional accreditation from one or more of the industry's leading bodies. This means you're protected by professional indemnity insurance and can rely on reports that meet the highest standards in the profession.

RICS Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors
CIOB Chartered Institute
of Building
RPSA Residential Property
Surveyors Association

What our accreditations mean for you

When you choose a RICS accredited surveyor, you're choosing someone who has met rigorous educational and professional standards, who adheres to a strict code of conduct, and whose work is covered by professional indemnity insurance.

All our survey reports comply with RICS standards and guidance notes. Our valuations are produced by RICS Registered Valuers, which means they're accepted by banks, mortgage lenders, and courts.

You can verify our membership directly on the RICS website, giving you complete peace of mind that you're working with genuine, regulated professionals.

Our Journey

15 Years of Surveying in Bristol

2008

Bristol Surveyors Founded

James Hartley and two partners establish Bristol Surveyors, based in Clifton. The focus from day one: honest, professional surveys for Bristol property buyers.

2011

Commercial Division Launched

We launch our commercial surveying service, bringing our quality-first approach to Bristol's growing commercial property market.

2014

Team Expands — Sarah Chen Joins

Rapid growth in residential survey demand leads to our first major team expansion, with Sarah Chen joining as a residential surveyor.

2017

500th Five-Star Review

We receive our 500th five-star review, a milestone that reflects our commitment to exceptional service and clear communication.

2020

Digital Survey Delivery Introduced

We launch digital report delivery and virtual survey consultations, maintaining our service throughout challenging times.

2023

4,000 Surveys Completed

We complete our 4,000th survey and expand our coverage to include more of the South West, including Cheltenham, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

2025

Building for the Future

With 15+ years behind us and a growing team of accredited surveyors, we continue to be Bristol's first choice for property surveys — and we're not slowing down.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Team

Yes. Every surveyor we employ holds at least one professional accreditation — from RICS, CIOB, or RPSA. Our valuers hold RICS Registered Valuer status. You can verify our surveyors' credentials directly on the RICS Find a Member page. We'd actively encourage you to check — transparency is one of our core values.

No. Every survey is carried out by a member of our employed, accredited team. We don't outsource to freelancers or third parties. This is important to us — it means you get the same quality of service every time, and full accountability if you ever need to come back with a question.

Bristol Surveyors was established in 2008 — making us one of the more experienced independent firms of surveyors in Bristol. In that time, we've surveyed properties across the full range of Bristol's housing stock, from city-centre flats to large rural properties in the surrounding countryside.

We're experienced across all property types — Victorian terraces, Georgian townhouses, 1930s semis, new builds, converted flats, commercial premises, and more. That said, Bristol has a high proportion of period properties, and our surveyors have particular expertise in traditional construction methods and the common defects associated with older housing stock.

Ready to Work With Bristol's Surveyors?

Get in touch with our friendly team today. We'll answer your questions, advise you on the right type of survey, and give you a free, no-obligation quote.