INDEPENDENT ARTICLES, CLEAR INSIGHTS, STRAIGHTFORWARD ADVICE FOR INFORMED PROPERTY DECISIONS.

The cost of a RICS property valuation varies because the work isn’t “one-size-fits-all”. A valuation fee reflects the time and skill needed to inspect the property (where required), research evidence, analyse the market, and produce a report that is fit for the...

Property valuation can look mysterious from the outside—especially when two people give two different numbers. In reality, valuing a property is a structured process that combines evidence, professional judgement, and a clear understanding of what the property would...

A surveyor determines the value of your home by combining market evidence (what similar homes have sold for) with a professional assessment of how your property compares, taking account of condition, location, saleability, and any legal or tenure factors. It’s a...

Boundary disputes are rarely about a single fence panel. They’re usually caused by uncertainty, assumptions, and changes on the ground—a fence replaced slightly off line, landscaping that creeps over time, or building work that gets too close to the perceived...

A surveyor market valuation is a professional opinion of a property’s current market value—based on evidence, inspection (where appropriate), and an informed view of what a willing buyer would likely pay in the open market at the valuation date. Unlike quick online...

A retrospective valuation is a professional opinion of a property’s value at a past date, not today. It’s used when you need a defensible figure for a specific historical point in time—often because a legal, tax, or financial event happened on that date. A...

A probate valuation is a professional assessment of a property’s value for estate administration after someone has died. It’s commonly needed because the property value can affect: Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculations how the estate is reported and administered fairness...

It is a common expectation that an owner will be able to “sign off” a Party Wall Award before it is issued. In practice, many owners do have an opportunity to comment on key points in advance, particularly where two surveyors are involved. However, it is important to...

A party wall process runs best when surveyors have the right information, neighbours feel informed, and the build team understands the Award. The goal isn’t just “getting an Award”—it’s keeping your project moving while protecting both properties and reducing the...