Business Details
38 Years
experience
Chartered Surveyors & Architectural Services in Cirencester
Established in 1988, James Slater is a respected practice of Chartered Surveyors and Architectural Designers based in Cirencester. With over 35 years of experience, we specialise in both historic and modern buildings, delivering surveying and design services across residential, educational, and commercial sectors. Our team combines deep local knowledge with a pragmatic approach to address property challenges while maintaining a client-centric ethos. We pride ourselves on achieving a high success rate in planning applications and providing tailored project management solutions.Our expertise in Listed Building Consent and conservation projects ensures sensitive yet practical outcomes for heritage properties. Through continuous collaboration with clients and contractors, we ensure projects meet exacting standards while adhering to budgets and timelines. This commitment to excellence has fostered long-standing client relationships and a strong reputation for reliability in the Cotswolds and beyond.
Services
Building Surveys
Architectural Design
Planning Applications
Project Management
Listed Building Consent
Estate Management
Measured Surveys
Expert Witness Services
Dilapidations Assessments
Reinstatement Costings
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We have 35 years of experience in surveying and architectural design across historic and modern properties
- Our team holds specialist expertise in Listed Building Consent and conservation projects
- We provide end-to-end project management from planning applications to construction completion
- Our high success rate in planning applications reflects deep local authority knowledge
- We combine client-centric service with technical excellence in both residential and commercial sectors
Associations and certifications
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Local Authority Building Control Partnership Scheme
What people say
Thorough and clear surveyor
Outstanding piece of work
Excellent standard
Positive can-do manner
Delighted with end-product
Services
Building Surveys
Our Chartered Surveyors conduct comprehensive building surveys for residential and commercial properties. We identify structural issues, provide defect diagnosis reports, and offer pragmatic repair solutions. With specialist expertise in historic buildings, we deliver detailed assessments that help clients make informed property decisions while ensuring compliance with conservation standards.
Architectural Design
We create tailored architectural designs for extensions, renovations, and new-build projects. Our team balances traditional and contemporary styles while ensuring compliance with planning regulations. From initial concept to detailed drawings, we focus on delivering functional spaces that meet client needs and enhance property value.
Project Management
Our project management covers all stages from tendering to completion. We coordinate contractors, monitor budgets, and ensure timely delivery of works. With strong local contacts and technical expertise, we provide impartial oversight that minimises disputes and ensures adherence to quality standards during property developments.
Listed Building Consent
Specialists handle Listed Building Consent applications with deep understanding of conservation policies. We advise on compliance requirements, prepare detailed submissions, and maintain positive relationships with local authorities. Our early involvement ensures design solutions that satisfy both heritage requirements and client objectives for historic properties.
Estate Management
We provide comprehensive estate management services including condition surveys, maintenance planning, and project delivery. Our team manages repairs and refurbishments across diverse property portfolios, offering cost-effective solutions that preserve asset value while meeting operational requirements for estates ranging from 100 to 1000+ acres.
People
James Slater
Director
Founder of the practice in 1988, James Slater FRICS brings 35 years of surveying expertise. He established the firm's reputation for combining traditional surveying skills with modern design solutions, specialising in historic building conservation and complex property projects across the Cotswolds.
Questions
What types of properties do you specialise in?
We specialise in both historic and modern properties, including Listed buildings, residential homes, commercial estates, educational facilities, and agricultural buildings.
Do you work outside the Cotswolds region?
While based in Cirencester, we regularly work across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and have extended our services to Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the Welsh Borders through our satellite office.
How do you handle Listed Building projects?
Our team has specialist expertise in Listed Building Consent processes, combining conservation principles with practical solutions to ensure compliance while meeting client needs for historic properties.
What project management services do you offer?
We provide full project management from tendering through to completion, including contractor coordination, budget control, and quality assurance for residential, commercial and estate projects.
Reviews (5)
Michelle Perks
Mar 14, 2021
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Mr James Slater is a most professional and competent Chartered Surveyor who provided me with a first class Expert Witness Report in a civil action relating to a building dispute. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.
Jake Pembroke
Nov 19, 2019
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We used James Slater & Co to purchase our first property. Although we were buying in Bristol, this was not a problem, and a surveyor was assigned to us very quickly. We received a detailed report, as well as a phone call from said surveyor the day of completing the survey. The phone call drew our attention to the most relevant findings of the report, as well as offering suggestions to resolve some small issues with the property. Communication was fantastic and turnaround was extremely quick. We would thoroughly recommend using James Slater & Co.
Quentin Tailford
Jul 09, 2016
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James Slater is a client of mine whom I have know for 20+ years. His firm oversaw the renovation of another clients renovation project of a semi-derelict Grade 2 Listed Farmhouse which we ended up buying. Latterly we wanted to change the access and build a boundary wall which planners initially declined. James Slater Surveyors made recommendations, produced detailed drawings, liaised with planners and obtained consent for us. They hand-held all the way through the project and the end result is we got what we wanted and the planners were happy too as the property has benefited from these positive
Harry James
Jun 22, 2016
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I contacted James as we were looking to buy a period property near Burford with a view to doing it up. He arrived punctually the next day and spent the best part of a day carrying out a survey. The survey report was very detailed yet comprehensible. Upon completing the purchase of the property James has been available to advise on alterations, maximising the space inside as well as liaising with Planning/Listed Buildings Officers. It is obvious that he has a wealth of experience. If he feels you may be making a bad decision or may be throwing good money to bad he will let you know straight away
James Allen
May 13, 2014
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Would not recommend this company at all, the proprietor is tardy and accepts jobs stating he has the relevant experience and when there is a query he later admits (post paying ) that he hasn't got much experience in the field of the subject he was dealing with for us. He is rude and doesn't communicate well , to our amazement as it is a very service. Due to his lack of understanding , care and attention to the details they have put us through extreme stress and difficulty and almost lost us the case - end result was we won the case but left with many thousands of pounds less than we should have
