When managing buildings, two key professionals come into play: maintenance surveyors and building surveyors. While their roles may seem similar, they focus on different aspects of property management. Let’s explore the core responsibilities of each and highlight the key differences.
What is a Maintenance Surveyor?
A maintenance surveyor focuses on the upkeep, repair, and ongoing maintenance of existing buildings. Their primary goal is to ensure that structures remain in good condition by identifying issues and arranging for timely repairs.
Their key responsibilities include:
- Routine inspections: Conduct regular checks to spot potential problems like leaks or wear and tear.
- Repair planning: Prioritise and arrange necessary repairs, managing them within budget constraints.
- Health and safety compliance: Ensure all maintenance work meets safety standards to protect both occupants and workers.
Maintenance surveyors are crucial in keeping buildings functional, safe, and comfortable over time.
What is a Building Surveyor?
A building surveyor has a broader role that involves not just maintenance but also design, construction, and assessment. They are involved throughout a building's lifecycle, from pre-construction to post-construction evaluation.
Their key responsibilities include:
- Condition surveys: Evaluate the structural integrity and overall condition of buildings, identifying defects or compliance issues.
- Regulatory compliance: Ensure that new buildings or renovations meet local codes and safety regulations.
- Construction oversight: Collaborate with architects and contractors to ensure adherence to design specifications.
Building surveyors ensure that buildings are not only safe and legally compliant but also well designed and constructed.
Key Differences
1. Primary focus
- Maintenance Surveyor: Concentrates on ongoing maintenance of existing buildings.
- Building Surveyor: Involves in new and existing buildings, focusing on design, compliance, and assessments.
2. Scope of work
- Maintenance Surveyor: Handles routine inspections and repair management.
- Building Surveyor: Engages in construction oversight and structural evaluations.
3. Technical expertise
- Maintenance Surveyor: Specialises in building systems and their upkeep.
- Building Surveyor: Has deeper knowledge of structural integrity and building regulations.
4. Project Involvement
- Maintenance Surveyor: Primarily involved after construction, focusing on ongoing upkeep.
- Building Surveyor: Engaged from the early stages of a project, advising on compliance and safety.
Which Surveyor do you need?
If you need ongoing repairs and maintenance, a maintenance surveyor is ideal. They ensure buildings remain safe and functional over time. If you are buying, selling, or constructing a building, or need structural assessments, a building surveyor is the right choice. They provide comprehensive evaluations of a building’s condition and regulatory compliance.
Looking to expand your team? At Oyster, we specialise in recruiting skilled maintenance surveyors and building surveyors to support your business needs. If you’re looking to explore recruitment opportunities or expand your team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at info@oysterpartnership.com.