Big is not necess arily beautiful.

Byline: Nick Lever 

ALTHOUGH there have been some recent signs that stability may be returning to the UK residential market and that commercial property is beginning to be seen by some as good value again, there remains little confidence among many property professionals.

Over the last few years, during one of the worst economic downturns in living memory, many of the larger regional and national surveying practices have laid off large numbers of qualified surveyors.

However, several small to medium-sized practices have been actively recruiting young chartered surveyors and graduates during the recession, in order to provide a breadth of service to match those previously offered by larger companies.

The appeal of working for a smaller enterprise, where a surveyor has more direct control over his or her own destiny, is becoming increasingly popular. Many of the young surveyors laid off by the larger companies are setting up, or joining, small independent practices offering a 'one to one' service which is appreciated by both commercial and private clients alike.

Being a small practice means having the ability to adapt quickly to market changes and to the varying needs of clients. This has been especially important, as many clients have also suffered the impact of falling demand for their products and services and limitations on the availability of funds for property maintenance and development.

With lower overheads and flexibility borne from past experience of economic downturns, many such existing small practices have used consultants (many with more than 20 years' experience) alongside young enthusiastic graduates or recently qualified surveyors to provide an adaptable workforce. This has allowed the smaller practices to offer new and existing clients affordable professional advice across the whole spectrum of services offered by chartered surveyors.

Most small to medium-sized surveying companies, who practise under the universally respected Chartered Surveyor brand, are now fully regulated by the RICS, with an established commitment to quality by way of ISO9001 Quality Assurance and their employees are required to maintain professional standards by continuous professional development.

Such companies can offer clients help with all property-related matters, from the drawing of a simple lease plan to the preparation of a 10-year planned maintenance scheme for a large school and from the survey of a domestic house to the valuation of an office block to be included in a pension fund.

Commitment to quality and the ongoing training of the staff remain core values of such small to medium-sized practices. However, with lower costs and a flexible workforce, they do offer a real alternative to the bigger practices for many enlightened clients who value the advice provided by a chartered surveyor, but who want value for money and personal service in these trying times.

Nick Lever BSc MRICS is a senior partner at Wakefields Chartered Building Surveyors.

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STAY SMALL AND INDEPENDENT Nick Lever.