Surveying Equipment

Although the majority of work is carried out by the building surveyor as a visual inspection only, it is essential that he / she carries the necessary equipment.

For instance it is no good suspecting damp without providing details of the measurments or discovering a crack, which you are unable to monitor, and record the details.

The RICS 'Building survey of Residential Buildings' recommends that the surveyor have the following equipment avaiable when carring out a survey.

• Equipment for recording findings – paper, pens, pencils etc
• Small tape measure or measuring rod
• Binoculars or Telescope
• Compass
• 3 meter ladder
• Hard Hat
• Spirit Level
• Plumb bob
• Masks
• Crack gauge or ruler
• Electronic moisture meter
• Torches
• Camera
• Claw hammer and Bolster
• Lifting equipment for standard inspection chamber covers
• Mirror
• Meter cupboard key
• Means for determining inclination of roof pitch
• First aid kit
• Means of personal Identification       

This is not a definative list and the surveyor should consider the whole range of surveying equipment now available on the market. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be at the top of any surveyors shopping list. Here are just some examples:  

• Hard hat & Masks
• Safety Boots
• Gloves including disposable
• Overalls including disposable
• Safety glasses
• Hand cleanser
• First aid kit
• High visibility waist coat
• Warning cones for use with ladders