Business Details
48 Years
experience
Professional Chartered Surveyors in Sussex & London
Established over 45 years ago, Dawson Surveyors is a respected firm of RICS Chartered Building Surveyors and Building Consultants. Our expertise spans building surveys, valuations, architectural design, and professional building management across Hastings, Brighton, Maidstone, Islington, and surrounding areas. With a team of qualified professionals based in East Sussex, Kent, and South London, we specialise in leasehold enfranchisement, planning and development, and the assessment of listed and period properties. Our Rye headquarters houses specialists who have inspected historic structures dating back to the 1400s, offering tailored advice on statutory obligations and conservation responsibilities. We prioritise client education, providing clear, jargon-free reports on structural integrity, dilapidation, and property condition.Our services extend to insurance valuations, probate valuations, and contentious divorce settlements, all conducted under RICS Red Book standards. We maintain strict adherence to codes of practice and statutory obligations, including full indemnity insurance for all valuation work. Our team's deep understanding of local market dynamics ensures clients receive context-specific recommendations for residential, commercial, and public sector properties. From simple homebuyer reports to complex structural surveys, we deliver actionable insights to support informed property decisions. With a commitment to transparency, we offer free initial advice and ensure all pricing includes VAT with no hidden fees.
Services
Building Surveys
Valuations
Leasehold Enfranchisement
Insurance Valuations
Architectural Design
Planning Applications
Listed Building Surveys
Probate Valuations
Compulsory Purchase Advice
Party Wall Legislation
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- 45 years of experience in chartered surveying with RICS-certified professionals
- Specialists in listed and period buildings with medieval structure expertise
- Transparent pricing with all services including VAT and no hidden fees
- Local knowledge across Sussex, Kent, and South London property markets
- Comprehensive insurance valuation services meeting RICS Red Book standards
Associations and certifications
- RICS
- CIOB
- RIBA
- Institute of Chartered Building Surveyors
- Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
What people say
Expertise in listed buildings
Clear jargon-free reports
Knowledgeable staff
Accurate valuations
Excellent heritage knowledge
Services
Building Surveys
Our comprehensive building surveys assess all property elements from foundations to roof structures. Conducted by RICS-certified surveyors, these inspections identify defects, maintenance needs, and structural integrity issues. Clients receive detailed reports with clear recommendations for remedial actions, prioritised by urgency and cost implications.
Valuations
RICS Red Book-compliant valuations for residential and commercial properties. Services include market valuations, probate assessments, and insurance rebuild cost calculations. Our surveyors consider architectural features, location factors, and market conditions to provide accurate, defensible valuations for legal and financial purposes.
Leasehold Enfranchisement
Specialist advice on lease extensions and freehold purchases. Our surveyors calculate premiums, prepare valuation reports, and guide clients through statutory processes. We represent leaseholders in negotiations with freeholders, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and protecting property investments.
Listed Building Surveys
Detailed inspections of listed and period properties, including medieval structures. Our experts assess condition, identify conservation requirements, and advise on compliance with listed building controls. Reports include recommendations for maintaining historical integrity while addressing modern usage needs.
Insurance Valuations
Accurate rebuild cost calculations for insurance purposes. Surveyors evaluate construction materials, architectural features, and current building rates to determine replacement costs. Reports help clients ensure adequate insurance coverage while avoiding over-insurance and unnecessary premiums.
People
John Dawson
Managing Director
With over 30 years' experience in chartered surveying, John leads our Rye office. He specialises in listed building assessments and has directed over 500 heritage property surveys. His expertise in medieval structures informs our team's approach to historic building conservation.
Emily Carter
Senior Valuation Surveyor
RICS-certified valuer with 18 years' experience in residential and commercial property appraisals. Emily manages our valuation department, ensuring all reports meet RICS Red Book standards. She specialises in probate valuations and contentious divorce settlements.
Michael Patel
Leasehold Enfranchisement Specialist
Leasehold legislation expert with 15 years' experience in freehold purchases and lease extensions. Michael represents clients in negotiations with freeholders and provides expert witness testimony in leasehold disputes across the South East.
Sarah Collins
Building Surveyor
Chartered building surveyor specialising in residential property inspections. Sarah conducts homebuyer reports and structural surveys across Kent and London. Her clear, jargon-free reports help clients make informed property purchase decisions.
David Wong
Architectural Consultant
RIBA-registered architect with expertise in period property adaptations. David leads our design team, developing planning applications and building regulation submissions for historic buildings across Sussex and London.
Questions
What areas do you cover for property surveys?
We operate across Sussex, Kent, and London with surveyors based in Rye, Hastings, Brighton, Maidstone, and Islington.
Are your surveyors RICS-certified?
All our building surveys and valuations are conducted by RICS Chartered Surveyors with full professional indemnity insurance.
Do you offer urgent survey appointments?
We prioritise time-sensitive cases and can typically arrange surveys within 5 working days of instruction.
What's included in a building survey?
Our surveys assess structural integrity, identify defects, evaluate maintenance needs, and provide repair cost estimates for all property elements.
How much does a homebuyer report cost?
Prices start from £300 depending on property size and location. All quotes include VAT with no hidden fees.
Can you help with lease extension valuations?
Yes, our specialist surveyors calculate lease extension premiums and guide clients through the statutory process.
