1. Can you give us a brief overview of yourself and your role within Legal & General Surveying Services?
“As the Risk Director at Legal & General Surveying Services, a lot of my effort is focused on collaborating closely with lenders to navigate and manage property risks. Right now, a big part of my role is developing and fine-tuning the decision engines that empower our lending partners to make smarter, safer assessments.”
2. In your own words, how does Legal & General Surveying Services set itself apart from its competitors?
"Our strength lies in our people and their expertise. As a leading FTSE 100 company with over 20 years of surveying experience, we offer reliable, comprehensive guidance on the value and condition of properties in the UK, so consumers and lenders alike can make the most informed choices possible. We help over 150,000 buyers a year with surveys and valuations and our team’s in-depth market knowledge ensures that our customers have all the critical information they need to make confident property decisions, knowing they won’t face unwelcome surprises down the road. Equally, we ensure all our surveyors are based locally, so lenders can be confident that valuations are accurate and that they have a complete understanding of the property that they are lending on."
3. What have you identified as the key trends in the surveying sector at the moment?
"One of the key trends we're focusing on at the moment is the integration of data and AI into the surveyor's role. I'm actively involved in working groups that are exploring the future of the profession – particularly how data and AI can be leveraged to enhance efficiency. For instance, AI can handle manual tasks like writing reports, allowing surveyors to focus their expertise and attention on providing more tailored insights for customers.
“A particularly concerning trend is that just 1 in 10 homebuyers are choosing to commission a survey. With more lenders using technology to conduct remote valuations, it’s vital that consumers understand why they need to undertake their own survey as well. Having a person physically view, inspect and analyse a property is essential if a buyer wants to avoid surprises further down the line. We need to be mindful of the gap between the purpose of a valuation for a lender and the importance of a proper home survey in order to ensure that consumers are adequately protected."
4. What are the most common issues going unidentified prior to a professional home survey?
"Home surveys often uncover common issues like damp, which can lead to mould, rot and structural damage if not addressed. Another frequent problem is woodworm infestations, which can impact any untreated wooden parts of a home. Roof issues are also significant within properties, ranging from missing tiles to more severe problems that could require a costly full roof replacement. These are just a few examples of what a survey might reveal – it's always wise for customers to commission a survey to fully understand any potential issues in their future home before purchasing it."
5. Why is getting a home survey so critical before committing to purchasing a property?
“Put simply, skipping a home survey can have severe financial consequences. Buying a property is one of, if not the biggest investment your clients will ever make, so they’ll want to have all the information they need before committing to a purchase. Surveys can cost anything from around £300 to over £1,000, depending on the level and provider. While this is not an insignificant sum, it is nothing compared to missing issues that could cost buyers tens of thousands of pounds in some cases. The last thing any buyer wants is to be caught off guard by these unexpected costs after moving in, and a professional survey is the most reliable and accurate way to avoid this.”
6. What more can advisers do to improve overall consumer awareness around home surveys?
“Advisers are already at the front and centre of the homebuying journey, so they’re well-placed to stress the importance of home surveys to their customers. A strong commitment to securing the best outcomes for customers should always include explaining the importance of home surveys and how they can help prevent unforeseen costs down the line.”
7. What technological developments do you see as having the most significant impact over the next few years?
"AI is leading the charge in technological innovation across industries and the surveying sector is no exception. Surveyors are already leveraging data and machine learning to streamline the underwriting process for residential transactions, and the potential for AI in our field continues to grow.
“However, this doesn't mean the importance of surveyors will diminish over time. AI is a powerful tool that enhances our work, but it can’t replace the human expertise that remains the backbone of our industry. While AI and data will play significant roles in the future, their true value will always depend on a human element.
“Looking forward, we might see an increase in homeowners submitting videos and photos for remote assessments, though this trend is still in its early stages. That said, I can't stress enough the importance of having surveyors on the ground. At the moment, there is no substitute for a physical inspection of a property when it comes to catching issues that could cause problems for buyers later down the line.”
