Woodward Chartered Surveyors

Business Details

26 Years

experience

Expert Property Surveys in Rickmansworth

Established in 2000, Woodward Chartered Surveyors has grown to become the largest regional practice of Chartered Surveyors, serving clients from Oxford to Oxford Street. Our team comprises five full-time Chartered Surveyors, two specialist consultants, and five administrative professionals who collaborate to deliver value-for-money inspections and clear reporting. Unlike solo practitioners, we prioritise teamwork to leverage specialisation and continuous professional exchange. Our commitment to lifelong learning is demonstrated through bi-monthly meetings where we discuss property values, legal changes, and construction innovations.

Regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, we ensure all valuations are conducted by Registered Valuers. With expertise spanning residential and commercial properties, we provide comprehensive building surveys, valuations, and specialist services including party wall awards and lease extensions. Our client-centric approach combines technical excellence with practical advice, as evidenced by our 20+ years of positive testimonials from solicitors, property buyers, and corporate clients across the UK.

Services

Building Surveys Valuation Reports Party Wall Awards Lease Extensions Structural Investigations Commercial Dilapidations Snagging Surveys Space Surveys Probate Valuations Condition Reports

Details

Year established: 2000

Highlights and features

Five Chartered Surveyors collaborating for comprehensive expertise
Bi-monthly professional development meetings on construction innovations
RICS-regulated with specialist Party Wall Surveyor accreditation
Detailed photographic reports with defect analysis and recommendations
Proven track record with 20+ years of client testimonials

Associations and certifications

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors
RICS Registered Valuer Scheme

What people say

Exemplary survey First class report Professional and courteous Highly recommended Very efficient

Website

Update Listing

Services

Building Survey

Our RICS Level 3 Building Survey provides comprehensive analysis of property condition, including defect diagnosis and repair recommendations. Ideal for older properties or those requiring major works, this detailed report covers structural integrity, damp issues, and compliance with building regulations. Clients receive photographic evidence and prioritised maintenance advice to support informed investment decisions.

Valuation Report

RICS Registered Valuer assessments for mortgage purposes, lease extensions, or probate requirements. Our valuations consider market trends, property condition, and legal factors to deliver accurate, defensible figures. Reports include comparable sales analysis and guidance on value-enhancing improvements for residential and commercial properties across the UK.

Party Wall Award

Expert determination of party wall matters under the 1996 Act, including boundary disputes and structural modifications. We prepare detailed awards specifying work parameters and compensation arrangements. Our surveyors act as impartial third parties when required, ensuring compliance with legal requirements while protecting all parties' interests.

Lease Extensions

Specialist advice on statutory lease extensions for flat owners, including valuation calculations and negotiation support. We prepare formal notices and counter-notices under the 1993 Act, ensuring clients achieve optimal terms while complying with legal procedures for lease extensions up to 90 additional years.

Snagging Survey

Detailed examination of newly constructed properties to identify incomplete or substandard workmanship. Our snagging lists document defects requiring remediation before completion, covering finishes, fittings, and building regulations compliance. This service protects buyers' investments by ensuring developers address issues prior to ownership transfer.

People

Stephen Cornish

Chairman

PhD-qualified Chartered Surveyor with expertise in building history and party wall disputes. Fellow of RICS and Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, providing technical leadership and dispute resolution services.

Douglas Snell

Director

Former Knight Frank surveyor specialising in London property with technical expertise in building construction and heritage conservation. Combines professional knowledge with practical experience from classic car restoration projects.

Kate Farrar

Director

Residential and commercial survey specialist with 13 years' West London experience. Focuses on property condition assessments and contract administration, balancing professional responsibilities with family life.

David Vizard

Party Wall Surveyor

35-year property veteran specialising in party wall matters. Combines technical expertise with triathlon-level fitness, providing authoritative advice on boundary and structural issues.

Adam Stimpson

Director

Valuation expert with national surveying firm background. Specialises in probate and matrimonial valuations while serving as Trustee Director for the employee-owned business structure.

Questions

What types of property surveys do you offer?

We provide RICS Level 1 (Condition Report), Level 2 (Homebuyer Survey), and Level 3 (Building Survey) for residential properties, plus commercial building surveys.

How are your surveyors qualified?

All surveyors are RICS-registered with specialist accreditations including Party Wall Surveyors and Registered Valuers. Our team holds academic qualifications up to PhD level.

Do you cover commercial property inspections?

Yes, we conduct full building surveys, condition reports, and dilapidation schedules for commercial properties including retail units, offices, and industrial premises.

Can you assist with lease extension valuations?

We provide statutory lease extension valuations under the 1993 Act, including premium calculations and negotiation support for London and Home Counties properties.

How quickly can you complete a survey?

Survey scheduling typically takes 1-2 weeks, with reports delivered within 5-10 working days depending on property complexity and location.

Do you offer emergency structural inspections?

While we don't provide 24/7 emergency services, we prioritise urgent structural concerns and can usually arrange inspections within 48 hours.

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Reviews (6)

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Powerballmine P.

Aug 20, 2021 Report

Charged 600 for a house purchase survey. Their surveyor omitted from his report that neighbour's trees close to the house, mentioned in his report, and visible in his survey photo, might cause subsidence over time. Unsurprisingly significant cracks later appeared in walls, likely from root growth, and moisture drawn from the clay soil by trees. They refused to accept any liability. 600 wasted and potential long term problems. Don't go anywhere near these people.

Gagandeep Ratti-Kang

Jun 23, 2021 Report

I had a home buyer report survey completed by the team. They was very efficient in their communication from start to finish and making sure the survey could be completed as soon as possible during these tough times. Extremely happy to have received the survey 2 days after it was conducted even though it was expected to take up to 5 working days. Report is clear and concise with recommendations that Ill take on board. Thanks again to the team at Woodward Chartered Surveyors for you services.

Kaz B.

Apr 06, 2021 Report

Fast, Efficient, Professional Service. Reasonable Price for a Great Service in a very quick turn around from 1st call to booking and completion of survey. Gemma Walker kept me informed along the process and would highly recommend Woodward. Thank You Gemma. Keep up the Great Work!

A. Kiani

Mar 23, 2021 Report

I used this firm based on a recommendation from Ashley at Squire Estates in Hemel Hempstead, whilst the cost to use them was slightly higher than other quotes, I asked to see a copy of an example survey and could see it was far more in depth with actual detail compared to the cheaper ones. The service throughout was extremely professional and the report was sent to me within around 2 days of the survey. Can recommend this firm, Thank you to Woodwards and Squire Estates.

Valerie Litman

Jan 25, 2021 Report

James Bush was very observant with the flat which we are hoping to purchase soon. When he was here to survey and he knows that we are deaf couple and took a lot of bother to write down any questions whilst wearing his masks. Thank you.

Sally A. Logan

Dec 19, 2020 Report

I was extremely pleased with the amount of information in the report and the speed with which it was produced. Several points were raised for which we were able to obtain answers from the sellers.
An excellent service and one I would be happy to recommend.