Business Details
13 Years
experience
Chartered Surveyors in North Devon & Cornwall
Underwood Wright Chartered Surveyors was formed in 2013 through the merger of two established local firms, Underwoods Surveyors (founded 1996) and Passmore Wright & Company (with origins in the 1970s). Our team of five Chartered Surveyors and one trainee combines over 150 years of collective experience in residential and commercial property matters across North Devon, East Devon, West Devon, North Cornwall, and East Cornwall. As members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), we adhere to strict ethical and professional standards, offering services including valuations, party wall matters, expert witness reports, and dispute resolution.Our commitment to integrity, client-focused service, and technical excellence has earned us the trust of individuals, local authorities, and businesses. We maintain transparency in all dealings, ensuring clients receive tailored advice aligned with their specific property needs. Our directors, Stuart Smith and Stephen Shortridge, bring decades of expertise in commercial valuation, residential surveys, and expert witness matters, supported by a team specialising in lease plans, professional consultancy, and certificates. This depth of knowledge positions us as a leading independent practice in the South West region.
Services
Expert Witness Reports
Lease Plans
Party Wall Matters
Professional Consultants
Certificates
Valuations
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We are RICS-accredited chartered surveyors with 24/7 client support
- Our team combines over 150 years of property expertise
- We adhere to strict RICS ethical and professional standards
- We serve both private and commercial clients across five regions
- Our directors specialise in commercial valuation and expert witness matters
Associations and certifications
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- RICS Client Money Protection Scheme
Services
Expert Witness Reports
Our RICS-accredited surveyors prepare detailed expert witness reports for property disputes. These legally compliant documents provide impartial analysis of property valuations, boundary issues, and building condition assessments. Clients benefit from our court-tested expertise in presenting clear, defensible evidence for litigation matters.
Party Wall Matters
We specialise in party wall legislation compliance for property owners and developers. Our surveyors create legally binding awards, resolve disputes, and ensure adherence to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Clients receive expert guidance through complex boundary and shared wall agreements.
Commercial Valuations
Our RICS-certified valuers assess commercial properties for investment, accounting, and development purposes. Using market analysis and comparable sales data, we deliver accurate valuations for office spaces, retail units, and industrial premises across Devon and Cornwall.
Residential Surveys
We conduct comprehensive residential property surveys for homebuyers and owners. Our reports identify structural issues, maintenance needs, and valuation benchmarks. Clients receive clear recommendations to inform purchasing decisions or renovation plans.
Lease Plans
Our team prepares precise lease plans for commercial and residential properties. These Ordnance Survey-based plans meet Land Registry requirements, showing exact property boundaries and dimensions. Clients benefit from our technical expertise in creating legally compliant documentation.
People
Stuart Smith
Director
FRICS-qualified director with 34 years' experience in commercial valuation and landlord-tenant matters. Specialises in property investment advice and dispute resolution across Devon and Cornwall. Educated at Leicester Polytechnic.
Stephen Shortridge
Director
FRICS-qualified director specialising in residential surveys and party wall matters. Practicing since 1984 with expertise in North Devon property markets. Provides expert witness testimony for property disputes.
Paul Furse
Chartered Surveyor
MRICS-qualified surveyor in Bude office. Specialises in residential valuations and boundary dispute advice. Registered RICS valuer with experience in professional consultant certification since 1986.
Tim Dunne
Chartered Surveyor
MRICS-qualified surveyor with expertise in residential mortgage valuations. Qualified in 1991, combining corporate experience with private practice knowledge. Provides RICS-registered valuation services across North Devon.
David Dark
Chartered Surveyor
Fellow of RICS specialising in residential surveys and development land appraisals. Qualified in 1981, with extensive North Devon experience. Former Bideford Round Tabler actively involved in local community trusts.
Questions
What services do Underwood Wright offer?
We provide property valuations, party wall services, expert witness reports, lease plans, and professional consultancy for residential and commercial properties across Devon and Cornwall.
Are Underwood Wright RICS-accredited?
Yes, all our surveyors are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and adhere to their strict professional and ethical standards.
Which areas do you cover?
We operate across North Devon, East Devon, West Devon, North Cornwall, and East Cornwall from our Barnstaple, Bideford, and Bude offices.
What professional standards do you follow?
We comply with RICS regulations, maintain Client Money Protection Scheme membership, and guarantee integrity, transparency, and professional diligence in all property matters.
Reviews (2)
Melinda Annear
Nov 16, 2020
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I highly recommend Underwood Wright Chartered Surveyors, specifically Paul Furse who surveyed the property we are purchasing. It can be a minefield when trying to select a surveyor, especially one in a different county. Paul Furse is professional, trust worthy, thorough, candid, helpful, he goes above and beyond. We have been nothing but delighted and impressed with his work and speedy delivery. We wish there was a Paul Furse in every county! We are so happy to proceed with our purchase with complete peace of mind. I cannot recommend him enough.
Bernard Wicksteed
Sep 03, 2020
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Matt Rogers has been incredibly helpful throughout our buying process. He delivered a very detailed but easy to understand report and went above an beyond in helping us understand it. The whole team at Underwood Wright Bude have been very professional. I highly reccomend them and fully trust any advice they have given. Wont hesitate to use them again in the future if needed.
