Professional Negligence Claims Against Surveyors
We provide specialist legal advice to individuals and businesses who have suffered financial loss
as a result of a surveyor’s negligence, errors or professional advice.
Claims Against Surveyors
Surveyors are instructed to provide independent, expert opinions on property value and condition. A negligent survey or valuation can result in purchasing a property at an inflated price, inheriting unforeseen liabilities, or making financial decisions based on incorrect information. Where that negligence causes financial loss, you may have a claim.
Freeman Harris acts for individuals and businesses bringing professional negligence claims against surveyors, valuers, and property professionals. Our team is led by Avi Gordon, a Legal 500-recognised Senior Solicitor and member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association.
Common grounds for claims against surveyors
- Overvaluation or undervaluation of a property
- Failure to identify structural defects, damp, subsidence, or other material conditions
- Negligent mortgage valuation resulting in lending decisions based on incorrect figures
- Failure to report on planning constraints, access rights, or title issues within the surveyor’s competence to identify
- Negligent reinstatement cost assessments leading to underinsurance
- Failure to advise a client to obtain specialist investigations where the circumstances indicated a risk
What you need to establish
To succeed in a claim against a surveyor, you need to show that the surveyor owed you a duty of care, that they fell below the standard expected of a competent surveyor of that type, and that you suffered a loss that was directly caused by the failure.
For valuation claims, the courts apply what is sometimes called the “bracket” approach: a valuation is not negligent simply because it differs from the market value established later. The question is whether the valuation fell outside the range that a competent surveyor could reasonably have produced at the relevant time.
The claims process
Claims against surveyors are subject to the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol. We draft the Letter of Claim and manage the protocol process on your behalf. The surveyor’s professional indemnity insurer will respond and typically conduct negotiations. Most claims are capable of resolution without court proceedings.
The primary limitation period is three years from the date you knew or should have known of the negligence and the resulting loss. You should take advice as soon as you identify a potential problem, as limitation periods in surveyor claims can be fact-specific.
Contact us
If you believe a surveyor has been negligent, contact us for an initial review. We will assess the merits, the limitation position, and the likely measure of loss at the outset.
Professional Negligence Team
Avi Gordon
Senior SolicitorAvi has over a decade’s experience handling professional negligence disputes, including complex claims involving surveyors and other professional advisers. He advises clients on claims arising from negligent surveys, inaccurate valuations and failures to identify significant property defects.Isabel Fisher
SolicitorIsabel assists clients with surveyor negligence claims, helping to review case details, prepare documentation and manage correspondence. She takes a careful and practical approach to supporting clients throughout the claims process.
Professional Negligence Fees
Claims Against Surveyors FAQs
- My surveyor missed a significant defect. What can I claim for?
You can claim the cost of remedying the defect, reduced by any discount you would have negotiated on the purchase price had the defect been identified at the survey stage. In some cases, diminution in value is used as the measure of loss. We assess which approach is appropriate for your claim.
- The mortgage lender's valuer overvalued the property. Can I sue them?
A lender’s valuer primarily owes a duty of care to the lender, not to the borrower. However, where you were told you could rely on the valuation, or where the surveyor was aware that you would be doing so, a duty of care owed directly to you may exist. We assess the position on the specific facts.
- How long do I have to bring a claim against a surveyor?
The primary limitation period is three years from the date of knowledge. However, where damage is latent and only becomes apparent later (such as subsidence developing over time) the starting date for limitation can be a contested issue. Seek advice as soon as a potential problem comes to light.
Contact our Professional Negligence Team
A little about you and what you need will help us with our response.