How to Start a Surveying Business in the UK

Surveying encompasses a range of specialisms — building surveying, quantity surveying, valuation, land surveying, and party wall surveying. If you are qualified and experienced, running your own practice offers professional independence and strong earning potential.

Qualifications and RICS

While not legally required for all surveying work, RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) membership is the gold standard:

• MRICS (Member) or FRICS (Fellow) — requires an RICS-accredited degree and the APC (Assessment of Professional Competence)
• AssocRICS — for those with relevant experience but without a degree

RICS-regulated firms must comply with specific rules around insurance, client money handling, and complaints procedures.

Some surveying work has specific requirements:

• Party wall surveying — no mandatory qualification, but RICS, FPWS (Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors), or Pyramus & Thisbe Club membership is expected
• Valuation — RICS Registered Valuer status is required for many types of valuation
• CDM Principal Designer — specific competence requirements under CDM Regulations

Sole Trader or Limited Company?

Both are common. Sole trader for simplicity; limited company for liability protection and tax efficiency at higher income levels. Some surveyors operate as LLPs with other professionals.

Registering with HMRC

Register for Self Assessment (sole trader) or Corporation Tax (limited company). VAT at £90,000 — many surveyors reach this threshold. Surveying services are standard-rated.

Insurance

• Professional indemnity — essential and typically required by RICS. Cover depends on your work type: £250,000 minimum for small practices, much more for valuation and expert witness work. Costs £1,000–£5,000+ per year.
• Public liability — for site visits
• Employers' liability — if you employ staff

Claimable Expenses

• RICS membership and subscriptions
• Insurance premiums
• Equipment — laser measures, moisture meters, damp meters, drones, cameras, theodolites
• Software — CAD, BIM, valuation software, report-writing tools
• Travel — to sites and properties, at 45p per mile (surveyors travel extensively)
• Home office costs
• CPD and training — RICS requires ongoing CPD
• Marketing — website, directories, networking
• Phone and broadband
• Reference materials — RICS guidance notes, building regulations, technical publications
• Accountancy fees

Accounted tracks your expenses and matches receipts to bank transactions.

Pricing

• Homebuyer survey — £400–£700
• Building survey — £600–£1,500+
• Valuation — £250–£500+
• Party wall award — £1,000–£3,000 per party
• Quantity surveying (per project) — varies widely
• Expert witness — £200–£400+ per hour

Building Your Practice

• Estate agent referrals — for homebuyer surveys
• Solicitor referrals — for party wall and expert witness work
• Developer relationships — for QS and project monitoring
• RICS Find a Surveyor directory
• Professional networking — local property professionals
• Online presence — Google My Business, website with clear service descriptions

Bookkeeping Tips

• Separate business and personal finances
• Track mileage — site visits generate significant travel claims
• Record equipment purchases — they are deductible
• Invoice promptly — survey fees are typically payable on completion
• Set aside 25–30% of profits for tax

Accounted connects to your bank and categorises transactions with AI.

Key Deadlines

• 31 January — Self Assessment and payment
• 31 July — second payment on account
• Quarterly — VAT returns if registered
• Annually — RICS renewal, PII renewal, CPD records

Getting Started

Surveying offers a strong, varied career in private practice. Ensure your professional credentials are in order, arrange proper insurance, and keep your finances well-managed.

Ready to survey your financial position? Sign up for Accounted and let Penny handle the bookkeeping while you focus on your clients' properties.