RICS Regulated · Richmond, London

Property surveys you can rely on

Apex Chartered Surveyors provides independent, expert property surveys, valuations and advice across London and the South East — trusted by buyers, lenders and solicitors.

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Regulated by RICS
Service area London & South East
Specialists in Residential & Commercial
Turnaround Reports within 5 days

Regulated & Accredited

Every survey and valuation we carry out is governed by RICS standards — the benchmark for professional competence in property.

RICS Regulated Firm
Chartered Members & Fellows

As an RICS Regulated Firm, Apex Chartered Surveyors operates under the RICS Rules of Conduct. Our surveyors hold MRICS and FRICS designations — the highest professional standards in the industry. We carry full professional indemnity insurance and act solely in the interest of our clients.

Our Services

A complete surveying practice — from straightforward HomeBuyer reports to complex commercial assessments and party wall disputes.

Residential Surveys

RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Reports and Level 3 Building Surveys for all property types — from Victorian terraces to modern flats. Clear, plain-English reports that tell you exactly what you're buying.

Level 2 & Level 3

Commercial Property Surveys

Condition reports, dilapidations assessments and acquisition surveys for offices, retail, industrial and mixed-use properties across London and the South East.

All commercial types

Valuations

RICS Red Book valuations for purchase, sale, probate, matrimonial, and Help to Buy. Prepared to the RICS Valuation — Global Standards, accepted by all major lenders.

Residential & commercial

Party Wall Matters

Act as agreed surveyor, building owner's surveyor, or adjoining owner's surveyor. Party wall notices, awards, and dispute resolution handled with minimal disruption to all parties.

Party Wall Act 1996

Building Surveys

Detailed structural assessments for older, unusual or high-value properties. Identifies defects, estimates repair costs, and flags areas for further investigation — essential before buying.

Full structural inspection

Planning Consultancy

Pre-application advice, planning statements, listed building consent and appeals. Drawing on established relationships with local planning authorities across London and Surrey.

London & Surrey boroughs

Recent Work

A selection of recent instructions — anonymised in keeping with client confidentiality.

Residential — Level 3

Victorian End-of-Terrace, South West London

Instructed by a buyer prior to exchange on a four-bedroom Victorian property. The estate agent's valuation had given the building a clean bill of health. Our Level 3 Building Survey identified significant issues the buyer was unaware of.

  • Active damp ingress identified in two ground-floor rooms, with evidence of failed historic remediation
  • Structural movement to the rear return — flagged for further investigation by a structural engineer
  • Roof covering at end of serviceable life — estimated replacement cost provided
  • Client renegotiated a £38,000 reduction to the purchase price
Property typeVictorian terrace, c.1890
ServiceRICS Level 3 Building Survey
Report delivered4 working days
Commercial — Acquisition

Mixed-Use Retail & Office, Central London

Instructed by a property investment company acquiring a mixed-use freehold. The client required a comprehensive condition report ahead of a commercial mortgage application and to inform their refurbishment budget.

  • Full condition assessment across three retail units and four upper-floor offices
  • Service infrastructure identified as life-expired — mechanical and electrical systems required full replacement
  • Asbestos-containing materials located and documented; specialist survey recommended
  • Cost plan provided to support board-level investment decision
Property typeMixed-use freehold
ServiceCommercial Acquisition Survey
Report delivered5 working days

The Team

A small practice — which means your survey is always carried out by a qualified chartered surveyor, not a junior.

James Hartley FRICS, Director, Apex Chartered Surveyors

James Hartley

FRICS

Director & Founder

James founded Apex after fifteen years with two of London's leading independent practices. He specialises in high-value residential surveys and commercial acquisitions across Central London and the wider South East.

Sarah Chen MRICS, Chartered Surveyor, Apex Chartered Surveyors

Sarah Chen

MRICS

Chartered Surveyor

Sarah joined Apex from a regional practice where she led the party wall and planning team. She handles RICS Level 2 and Level 3 residential surveys, valuations and party wall matters across South West London and Surrey.

What Clients Say

★★★★★

James's Level 3 survey identified damp and structural movement that the seller's estate agent had completely glossed over. The report was clear, detailed and gave us exactly what we needed to renegotiate. Highly recommended.

M. Beaumont
Richmond — RICS Level 3 Building Survey
★★★★★

We used Apex for a commercial acquisition in Clerkenwell. The report was thorough, the turnaround was fast, and James's advice on the dilapidations position saved us from a costly mistake. We'll use them again without question.

L. Ashworth
Central London — Commercial Acquisition Survey
★★★★★

Sarah handled our party wall matter efficiently and professionally. She communicated clearly with our neighbour's surveyor and kept us informed throughout. The award was agreed without any dispute or delay.

The Okafor Family
Wimbledon — Party Wall Award

Not Sure Which Survey You Need?

Download our free service guide — it explains the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 surveys, when a valuation is required, and how party wall matters work.

Apex Chartered Surveyors — Service Guide

An overview of our six service lines: which survey is right for your property, what to expect on the day, how long it takes, and how to read your report. Plain English, no jargon.

Download PDF — Free

Common Questions

What is the difference between a Level 2 and Level 3 survey?
A Level 2 HomeBuyer Report is a standard survey suited to conventionally built, modern properties in reasonable condition. It identifies significant defects and maintenance issues using a traffic-light rating system.

A Level 3 Building Survey is a full structural inspection — recommended for older properties, unusual construction, or anything that has been substantially altered. It provides a detailed assessment of every element of the building, including inaccessible areas, and gives estimated repair costs.
Do I need a survey or a valuation?
A survey assesses the condition of a property — identifying defects, risks and maintenance requirements. A valuation gives an independent opinion of market value, typically required by a mortgage lender or for legal purposes such as probate or matrimonial proceedings.

In many cases buyers need both — a survey to check the building and a valuation to satisfy their lender. We can carry out both and combine the visit, saving time and cost.
How long does a survey take, and when will I receive the report?
Most residential inspections take between two and four hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the property. Commercial properties may take longer. We aim to deliver written reports within five working days of inspection — and can often turn reports around more quickly if an exchange deadline requires it. Let us know your timeline when you book.
What does a party wall surveyor do?
Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, certain types of building work — including extensions, loft conversions, and excavations near a boundary — require formal notice to be served on adjoining owners. A party wall surveyor draws up a Party Wall Award, a legally binding document that protects the interests of all parties and governs how the work is carried out.

We can act as the building owner's surveyor, the adjoining owner's surveyor, or as an agreed surveyor for both parties.
Are your valuations accepted by mortgage lenders?
Yes. Our valuations are prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation — Global Standards (Red Book) and are accepted by all major UK mortgage lenders, as well as HMRC, the courts, and other statutory bodies.
What areas do you cover?
We cover London and the South East — including all London boroughs, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex. Our offices are based in Richmond, and we regularly carry out instructions across Central London, South West London, and the Home Counties. Not sure if we cover your area? Call or email us and we'll confirm.
How do I instruct you?
Fill in the enquiry form on this page, call us on 020 7946 0958, or email [email protected]. We'll come back to you within one working day to confirm availability, agree a fee, and arrange the inspection.

Where We Work

Based in Richmond, we cover the full extent of London and the South East — including all London boroughs and the Home Counties.

We carry out instructions across London and the South East. Areas we cover regularly include:

Richmond
Kensington
Chelsea
Wandsworth
Putney
Wimbledon
Kingston
Guildford
Woking
Epsom
Croydon
Reigate
City of London
Canary Wharf
Clerkenwell
All Boroughs

Not listed? Call us — we almost certainly cover your area. 020 7946 0958

Get in Touch

We respond to all enquiries within one working day. Tell us about your property and we'll confirm availability and provide a fee quote.

Contact Details

For straightforward enquiries, call or email us directly. For an urgent survey ahead of exchange, phone is the quickest route.

Telephone
020 7946 0958
Location
Richmond, London TW9
Office Hours
Mon–Fri, 8:30am–6:00pm

Send an Enquiry

Your details are used only to respond to your enquiry. We do not share your information with third parties.

Ready to instruct a survey?

Call us or send an enquiry — we'll come back to you within one working day.

Book a Survey 020 7946 0958