Surveyor Negligence Claims

Yes, if your surveyor failed to identify defects that a reasonably competent surveyor should have spotted, you can make a surveyor negligence claim. You’ll need to prove the defects existed at the time of the survey and that they should have been reported.

Surveyor negligence occurs when a surveyor fails to identify significant defects that a competent surveyor acting with reasonable skill and care should have found. This includes missing structural problems, damp, subsidence, Japanese knotweed, or other issues that affect the property’s value or safety.

Surveyor negligence compensation typically covers the cost of repairs, any diminution in property value, and associated losses like temporary accommodation or failed sale costs. The exact amount depends on what defects were missed and the financial impact on you.

Many solicitors handle surveyor negligence claims on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you only pay if your claim succeeds. We can discuss funding options when we assess your case, including whether your home insurance legal expenses cover might apply.

You generally have six years from the date of the survey report to start a surveyor negligence claim. However, it’s better to act sooner while evidence is fresh and before you’ve spent money on repairs without documenting the original defects properly.

Yes, you’ll need an independent surveyor to provide an expert report confirming the defects should have been identified. Insurers won’t settle building surveyor negligence claims without expert evidence, and courts require it to prove the original surveyor fell below the expected standard.

You’ll need your original survey report, photographs of the defects, repair quotes or invoices, and any correspondence about the problems. We’ll also arrange an independent expert survey to assess what should have been spotted and the financial losses you’ve suffered.

Most surveyor negligence claims settle within 9-12 months once we’ve obtained the expert report. If the insurer disputes liability and court proceedings are needed, claims can take 18-24 months, though many settle before trial once they see the strength of your evidence.

Yes, homebuyer reports have limitations, but surveyors must still identify significant defects that are visible during their inspection. If your surveyor missed obvious structural problems, damp, or other serious issues that should have been reported, you can pursue a claim.

If the insurer disputes liability, we’ll review their defence with you and advise whether court proceedings are worthwhile. Many insurers initially deny claims but settle once they see strong expert evidence, so an early rejection doesn’t necessarily mean your claim won’t succeed.