What is a Building Surveyor and What is Their Role?

Building surveyors issue building permits

You’ve probably heard the term building surveyor before. But did you ever wonder what it is they actually do? 

Much of the time, clients approach building surveyors for building permits and other certifications that might be needed for their project. A building permit is necessary for almost every type of construction project, including new buildings, renovations, demolitions, and more.

The building permit system ensures that all buildings and associated works comply with the right legislation. An experienced building surveyor will assess a building permit application, conduct an inspection of the property, and issue a permit if all of the documentation is in order and the inspection is satisfactory.

If the right information has not been provided the first time, your surveyor will explain what is required. Once these details or documents have been provided (if they can be provided), the building permit will be issued.

What kind of qualifications does a building surveyor need?

A building surveyor needs to have a tertiary qualification in the relevant discipline. Each state has their own set of requirements for registered building surveyors, and it’s important that they are met. Local governments employ building surveyors across a number of different departments and often provide pathways. However, many surveyors also work for independent companies, and larger businesses.

Who needs a building surveyor?

Anyone who requires a building permit will need to engage the services of a certified building surveyor. This includes individuals and building companies who want to start a new project or development of any size, as well as homeowners that want to embark on a renovation project.

Along with that, building managers, project managers, and owners who require a safety inspection and assessment will also need a building surveyor. They might also conduct a sustainability report, or conduct an inspection of ongoing building works to make sure that everything is complying with regulations.

(Image: Building surveyor site assessment)

Building surveyors often focus on safety

Building surveyors play a key role when it comes to safe building practices. A surveyor can enforce orders for builders to fix non-compliant building work, and cause a building notice to be served. This will occur on a building site or project that is unsafe or non-compliant, according to a building surveyor’s inspection. With health and safety so important in construction, these inspections are critical.

(Image: Safety matters) 

There’s a shortfall of building surveyors in local government

In Victoria, local governments are facing a shortage of qualified building surveyors. This is reportedly due to the fact that councils are not offering competitive wages when compared with independent building surveyor companies. Therefore, if local governments wish to compete, wages and benefits will need to improve.

Building surveyors play an important role in the enforcing of building regulations, codes and standards. Almost every project passes through the hands of a building surveyor at one point, and they are a source of advice and information for building companies and architects alike.