Buyers rely on surveys. When a survey misses serious defects — subsidence, dry rot, structural movement, Japanese knotweed — the financial consequences can run to six figures, and the question becomes: did the surveyor fall below the standard of a reasonably competent member of the profession? Manchester Surveyors provides surveyor negligence expert witness reports that answer exactly that question, for claimants and defendants alike.
What We Assess
- Scope and standard of the original survey — what the instructed survey level (Level 2, Level 3, valuation) actually required under RICS standards at the time
- What was reasonably observable — whether the defect was visible or should have prompted a “trail of suspicion” the surveyor was obliged to follow
- Reporting adequacy — whether findings were communicated with appropriate clarity and caveats
- Quantum support — diminution in value assessments and repair cost evidence to support or test the claimed losses
Balanced, Court-Ready Opinions
Negligence is not the same as a bad outcome. Our role under CPR Part 35 is to give the court an honest professional view — sometimes that supports the claim, sometimes it defends the original surveyor’s judgement. That balance is precisely what makes the evidence credible. We prepare reports for pre-action assessment, formal proceedings and mediation, and we appear at trial where required.
Who Instructs Us
Solicitors acting for homebuyers, professional indemnity insurers, and surveying firms themselves. Our team’s active practice across Level 3 building surveys, Level 2 HomeBuyer surveys and Red Book valuations means our opinions reflect how competent surveyors actually work — not textbook theory.
Considering or defending a claim? Contact us for an initial merits view before costs escalate. Serving Manchester, London and the whole of the UK.
How Expert Witness Instructions Work
Negligence instructions assess the original surveyor’s work against the standard of a reasonably competent practitioner at the same service level — what was inspected, what should have been observed, and what a competent report would have said. Our guide to surveyor professional negligence covers the legal framework. Instructions usually come from solicitors, though parties can approach us directly for an initial merits view before proceedings are contemplated. We accept appointments as party-appointed expert or as single joint expert, and every report is CPR Part 35 compliant: independent, reasoned, and addressed to the court rather than the instructing party.
Format, Timescales and Fees
Reports address breach and, where instructed, quantum — diminution in value or repair costs — and are equally available to claimants and defendant surveyors or their insurers. Typical timescales run from two to six weeks depending on inspection access and documentation; urgent directions-driven deadlines can usually be accommodated. Fees are fixed at instruction — no hourly-rate drift — with joint statements, questions under Part 35.6 and hearing attendance priced separately and transparently. Read more about what an expert witness does.
Will the expert support my case?
An expert’s duty is to the court, which is precisely why credible expert evidence settles cases: if your position is strong, an independent report proves it; if it is weak, you find out before spending heavily on litigation. Either answer is worth having early. Call 020 4579 8270 to discuss an instruction.