About Us | Chiswick Surveyors – RICS Accredited Surveyors

Our Story

Why We Started Chiswick Surveyors

It started with a conversation at a dinner party. One of our founding surveyors, James Hartley, was listening to a friend describe how she'd bought a Victorian flat in Turnham Green — without getting a proper survey — only to discover extensive dry rot behind the kitchen walls six months after moving in. The repair bill? Over £18,000.

"I kept hearing these stories," James says. "People skipping surveys because they seemed expensive, or commissioning one and receiving a forty-page document full of caveats that left them none the wiser about whether to proceed with the purchase."

That's why we set up Chiswick Surveyors. We're a team of independent, RICS-accredited surveyors who live and work in Chiswick and the wider West London area. We know these streets. We know the types of properties — the Edwardian semis on Grove Park Road, the conversion flats along the High Road, the commercial units near Gunnersbury. We know their quirks.

Our promise is simple: a thorough, independent survey written in plain English, delivered fast, and followed up with a real phone call if you have questions.

Homebuyers receiving reassurance from a Chiswick Surveyors property surveyor

What Drives Us

The Values Behind Every Survey We Deliver

Radical Transparency

We say what we see — good and bad. Our reports never hide behind vague language or endless caveats. You need the full picture to make a good decision, and that's what you'll get.

True Independence

We're not affiliated with any estate agent, mortgage broker or developer. We work for you — which means our advice reflects your interests, not anyone else's.

Local Knowledge

Chiswick and West London are our patch. We've surveyed hundreds of properties across W4 and the surrounding boroughs. That local knowledge makes a genuine difference to the quality of our advice.

Fast Turnaround

Property transactions move quickly. We aim to deliver detailed, accurate reports within 24–48 hours of the site visit, so you can keep your purchase moving without unnecessary delays.

Continuous Learning

The built environment evolves. Our team commits to ongoing professional development — keeping up with changes to RICS standards, building regulations and best practice so you always get current advice.

Genuine Care

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. We treat every client — first-time buyer or seasoned investor — with the same attention, respect and patience.

Our Team

Meet the Chiswick Surveyors Team

Our surveyors combine decades of experience with a genuine passion for Chiswick and West London property.

James Hartley

Founding Surveyor & Director

James has been surveying properties across West London for over 18 years. He set up Chiswick Surveyors after noticing a gap in the market for genuinely independent, jargon-free surveying advice. He specialises in complex residential surveys and has a particular passion for the Victorian and Edwardian housing stock that defines much of the Chiswick area. Outside work, you'll likely find him cycling along the Thames Path or exploring the independent coffee shops around Devonshire Road.

Sarah Mitchell

Surveyor & Valuer

Sarah joined the practice five years ago after working at a national firm where she felt increasingly removed from the clients she was supposed to be helping. At Chiswick Surveyors, she leads our valuation work and leasehold advisory services. She's carried out over 400 valuations across West London and is regularly instructed by landlords and tenants navigating lease extension negotiations. When she's not surveying, Sarah volunteers as a mentor for young women entering the built environment professions.

Tom Bradley

Building Surveyor

Tom is our specialist for party wall matters and project management. He's handled hundreds of party wall cases across London, from straightforward loft conversions to complex basement excavations beneath neighbouring properties. Tom's calm, methodical approach is exactly what's needed when neighbours are involved. He grew up in Kew and studied at UCL before qualifying as a building surveyor. He's the office's self-appointed expert on local property history — ask him about Bedford Park and you might be there a while.

Credentials

Our Accreditations & Professional Memberships

Our surveyors are accredited under RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) and RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association). These aren't just letters after our names — they represent a genuine commitment to professional standards, ethics and continuous development.

Being RICS-accredited means our surveyors are bound by the RICS Rules of Conduct, carry professional indemnity insurance, and must keep their skills up to date through structured CPD. As RICS registered valuers, we're qualified to provide formal valuations for a range of purposes — including for mortgage lenders, HMRC and the courts.

RICS — Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
CIOB — Chartered Institute of Building
RPSA — Residential Property Surveyors Association
RICS Registered Valuers panel members
Full professional indemnity insurance
Ongoing CPD and professional development

RICS-accredited surveyor reviewing architectural drawings in a professional office

About Chiswick Surveyors