Tony Swainston Building Surveyor

Laid low by the number of cold calls from builders offering their services, mostly unrelated, when it became known we had spray foam insulation in the loft, we decided to pay for independent advice from an experienced surveyor, Tony Swainston. The result exceeded our expectations. He came, spent more than three hours going round the house - a converted chapel - and discussing his findings and he then produced a lengthy report detailing what he had found and possible remedies. It covered not only the insulation question (it has to be removed) but the heating insulation and drainage, without pushing for any particular technology or company. After the number and pressure of firms pressing their services, it was a real relief to have independent advice and well worth his fee.

Tony carried out surveys on two properties for my husband and I. He was very thorough and meticulous. He used a drone to reach and photograph those difficult to reach places. The photos were clear and percise. Tony met us at the properties to clarify and point out the areas for consideration. I loved that we could speak to him at anytime for further clariffication and his traffic light system gave a quick view of prioritising the issues raised. Tony is a warm friendly, helpful and knowledge professional. We felt confident in his ability. The reports were easy for a layperson to follow and we highly recommend him. We used him twice and consider it was money well spent.

We chose Tony because of his excellent reviews on Which? and particularly because he offers the opportunity to join him at the end of his survey to talk through what he found. We were greatly impressed with his whole service. He was very knowledgeable. At the meeting he took the time to answer all our questions. Afterwards he answered questions we raised following receipt of his written report and indicated we could always contact him in the future with any further questions. We would 100% recommend him.

As first time buyers, my partner and I discovered Tony through TrustedTraders. From initial contact to completing our survey, Tony was extremely professional. He has a wealth of knowledge and provides exceptional after care post survey (easy to contact and very approachable). Tony provided a thorough and detailed survey; clearly highlighting any defects with the property, which was very beneficial to us. We would recommend Tony to anyone requiring a survey report & would definitely use his services again. Thank you so much, Tony!

I contacted Tony as a new buyer after concerns about the cracks and a leaky attic room window. Tony responded promptly and after sending the relevant information he required we set a date for the inspection. Tony arrived on time and I was put at ease by his professional but personable attitude. I walked around my home with Tony who explained everything in simple detail even drawing little diagrams for me to fully grasp the information. What I did like was that he was able to point out other defects that I hadn’t even noticed, including fire safety information and what was required to change our single bedroom window hinge to open as per building spec regulations for fire safety. Tony also looked at our attic room and came to the same conclusion as a builder as to why the window might be leaking. I expected a short synopsis for the report because we opted for the cheaper survey, however the email was very detailed and I know that if I had any addition questions, I could contact Tony. I would recommend Tony to family and friends and would use him again myself.

I contacted Tony regarding an ongoing issue with a leak and damp which we could not identify where the issue was coming from in the house. Tony replied promptly to my query and gave me option's of how he would be conducting the survey/report and the prices he charges. On the day of the survey, Tony gave us detailed verbal feedback on his findings. We also later received a written recommendation report of his findings of the causes of our concerns we had with the damp and leakage of water in the house and how to fix the problems. Tony is very personable and he explained our issues in a way that we could understand (no jargon). We would recommend him to our friends and family.

We engaged Tony to survey a property that we are aiming to purchase. We have had issues with our previous property and as such, wanted a thorough survey. Tony undertook this for us, spending several hours onsite. This included a detailed face to face meeting during the last stage, where he explained his findings. He then provided an extensive written report. Neither myself nor my wife have specialist building knowledge and Tony explained each point in plain language, as well as in more technical terms in the report. He was extremely thorough and comes across as someone who knows their work very well, and who takes pride in its quality. He was also very personable, responsive to our queries, and generally easy to work with. I have no hesitation in recommending him.

Tony completed a survey for us on a home we are purchasing. He is very knowledgeable and thorough. I was really impressed with the lengths that he went to to help us, nothing was too much trouble. The advice that he gave us was invaluable. He explained technical terms in an easy to understand way and the information he gave us on our new home was really useful. I have never had a survey on a house I have bought before but I would not buy a house again without consulting Tony first.

I recently engaged Tony for a home survey on a couple of Victorian flats. They are primarily bought as an investment. Tony is very detailed and his points on planning regulations, safety and future problems for both the building and the internal fittings and fixtures are very helpful. A lot of sound advice, some technical and some practical. From the reports I learned a lot and I would definitely engage Tony again in the future. It was a pity I could not join him for a walk round the properties, hopefully on my next purchase.

I sent Tony an unsolicited email after finding his details on Which Trusted Trader. I was trying to get some advice regarding a neighbour's proposed building project that could affect my home. Tony replied the next day with a very helpful email, giving me good advice - and without any financial reward. Would certainly recommend him and would use him in future, should I need a surveyor's services.

We engaged Tony to survey our roof which we were being told needed major work. We learned so much from Tony during and following his visit which has made us much more confident about proceeding and selecting the right contractor. He’s very friendly and certainly goes the extra mile in terms of service and follow-up. Highly recommend Tony. Money very well spent.

I appointed Tony for a 2 hour verbal/walkthrough survey. This was primarily to assess work I'd had done to my roof, which I suspected was sub-standard. Indeed, after Tony's inspection, he produced a substantial list of problems. Even though the written report that came with this service was intended more as an informal summary, it was sufficiently detailed and comprehensive to show the relevant trade association - who are now helping me pursue a refund. For that purpose alone, Tony's visit was well worth the reasonable price he charged. But beyond this, Tony was also able to provide insight on a number of other niggles I'd been concerned about in my property. Indeed, he also identified a potentially dangerous garden wall issue that I wasn't aware of - a risk that can now be averted. Further still, Tony correctly gauged the level of details I was able to take on board during his visit. So not only were specific problems discussed, but he offered invaluable tips on how I should approach the maintenance of my period property - allowing me to look at things from a more holistic and better informed standpoint. From tips for correct building materials, to specific boiler models and even book recommendations; I feel Tony imparted a vast amount of useful information in a short space of time. He is friendly, unambiguous and clearly very knowledgable... an affable expert who'd be top of my list if I ever need a surveyor again. Very easy to recommend.

Tony Swainston provided a full survey on a house that needs some work. When he had finished examining the house, he spent two hours with us going through what he had found. We found this part of his service invaluable. Tony clearly knew his trade and provided many specific detailed pieces of advice which will be extremely helpful. He picked up defects but was equally clear about aspects of the house that did not need work (where, I suspect, some surveyors would be unduly cautious). His professionalism shone through.

Tony carried out a Home Condition Survey for us on a property in Basingstoke. Right from the start he was both professional and friendly, explaining clearly the different kinds of survey so that we could make the right choice. He wasn't the cheapest quote we had, but compared with the survey our purchasers had on our flat, Tony really gave value for money. He offered the chance to walk round the property with him for the last half-hour of his survey; as we live a long way off, this wasn't practicable, but he made an excellent video instead, pointing out in clear layman's terms all the things that would go in his report. The report was also excellent, crystal clear and well laid out according to an industry standard template. He has also been happy to discuss any matters arising both before and since sending out the report. Who could ask for anything more?

This is the second time I have used Tony's surveying services in the past 3 months. In both cases I found the report including suggestions to be very comprehensive with an excellent report provided. The photographs in the reports were very helpful and clarified the points made in the report very well. One key element of the report was the inclusion of suggestions where improvements could be made. Very helpful. Tony was easy to deal with, communication was excellent and I found him to be very helpful throughout the process. Tony also surveyed the house I was selling and this is how I got to meet him. This is where I could see his thoroughness first hand and immediately I thought he was the person to involve for a survey on the property I was buying.

This is the second time we have used Tony and, once again, he has done a sterling job. He happily travelled some distance to the site, having already arranged access directly with the vendor. His subsequent report was comprehensive, thorough, accurate and self-explanatory. As before, he was a pleasure to deal with and I have no hesitation in highly recommending his services.

Tony has helped me greatly with my property searches. He always responds to emails and phone calls with lots of detailed information and with great advice. I love the report that he has produced. The photos taken with a drone are fantastic and there is an abundance of useful information in the report which will help me with my renovation project. I can rest assured that every aspect of the house has been meticulously detailed by a highly knowledgeable professional. Tony enjoys his work and will go the extra mile for you. He is a pleasure to work with.

My wife and I were extremely lucky finding a surveyor like Tony. He has carried out three SAVA Home Condition Survey for me for three different properties and I've recommended him to some friends of mine. In all cases, with no exception, Tony worked to the highest standard and his advice was invaluable. For the first survey I instructed Tony, he literally save my wife and me from buying a literally nightmare property, which on the surface seemed a good property. Surprisingly (and shockingly) two bank's surveyors gave the green light to the property with no objections at all, but, thankfully Tony pointed out that the property had multiple serious issues and even didn't meet with building regulations, so, he advice us to think carefully if we really wanted to buy that property. His knowledge about construction, building, regulations, and all relates matters are literally huge, and that is unsurprisingly reflected on the highest quality of his job, his advice and his reports. My wife and I don't buy any property if Tony doesn't survey it. His survey is the only valid green light for my wife and myself.

Tony was a joy to work with - from early conversations to the survey itself, as well as being on hand to provide further information in follow up. He was the epitome of professionalism throughout - providing detailed written information, explaining things thoroughly and going as far as sketching things to visually explain what he meant! He is clearly very good at what he does and seems to genuinely enjoy it - an enthusiasm that you can’t help but admire. I would not hesitate to recommend Tony to anyone looking for a surveyor in the London area.

Tony carried out surveys on 2 flats for us. He was very easy to deal with and carried out the surveys with the minimum of fuss. On completion he met with us and talked us through the key points, clearly explaining anything we did not understand. His subsequent report was easy to read, accurate and comprehensive. Really, we could not have asked for a better service and I have no hesitation in recommending him.

We could not have hoped for more from Tony's visit. He was professional, knowledgeable, and generous with his time. He went out his way to listen to and address our concerns, and ensured he used language which was jargon free and easy for the layman to understand. We would not hesitate to engage his services again.

Tony's report detailed a very thorough survey, and was presented in readily-understood terms, with excellent photographs to clearly illustrate the defects found. As a result I shall undertake more research before deciding whether or not to proceed with the proposed purchase, and will hope that he is available to survey any alternative property that I consider buying.

If you want to put your mind at rest and be reassured that your potential new home will be surveyed with a fine toothcomb then don't hesitate to commission a survey from Tony Swainston. He provides you with a detailed report and offers to meet with him at the property for a debriefing. I was not able to benefit from this opportunity but he was very amenable to discussing any issues on the phone afterwards. The only problem I had was that the report was some days later than anticipated due to what appear to have been exceptional circumstances. Nevertheless, he did provide me with a verbal summary of significant factors so that I could proceed to organise an additional investigation and to reassure me that there was nothing to warrant not proceeding with the sale.

Tony is a super professional. He is thorough, he is collaborative, he takes genuine interest in your case and will provide the best detailed advice. Tony is really great.

The overall impression of Tony from the very first contact to the final report was one of a professional working to the highest standard. The attention to detail was exceptional, albeit a little overwhelming when reading the report at 2am! I particularly liked the option to visit towards the end of the survey to discuss matters in person at the property.

I was hoping to buy a quaint cottage that was over 150 years old, hence I needed to get a thorough survey done so that I knew just what I was letting myself in for. The nearest Which trusted trader was Tony, & luckily he was willing to travel to Cambridgeshire to do a survey; he carefully explained the various survey types & sent me examples of reports, to help me choose the right one. Tony also asked that I highlight any particular concerns I had about the cottage prior to his visit, so that he could check these out during the survey. On survey day, I met him on site for the last half hour, & he gave me a brief resume of his findings, showing me what he had found. The report was very thorough, with photos to help understand the defects found & also suggested remedial work – very helpful to ensure that one can confidently approach trades people. It also contained a lot of pre-researched information & maps, including historical & flood risk maps. Tony found a major problem with the property that I was totally unaware of, & he advised me how much it might cost to resolve; he was also happy to take my calls, once I had been able to research potential solutions, to help me make an informed decision whether to proceed with the purchase. Unfortunately, the quotes I obtained came in at top end of his estimates, so I had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the purchase. Therefore, I’m back searching for my next home, and Tony can expect a call from me when I find it!

We were really pleased to find an excellent surveyor like Tony. He is extremely thorough with his work. He is not only professional but really friendly and make you feel very comfortable chatting with him. We were given an option to meet him at the property which was an excellent idea as we wouldn't have so much understanding reading the report itself. He also offered to take calls if we there was any queries from the report. We just felt we had a good personal service. He explained in lay terms to make us understand and we felt we learned many new things which would help us in future. Tony is a good value for money and I will have no hesitation to recommend him to my family and friends.

We cannot praise Tony enough - he really is brilliant. Tony is extremely thorough and his attention to detail is second to none. He goes above and beyond to investigate every nook and cranny of a house, spending many more hours at a property than other surveyors. What we loved most about Tony was that he offered to meet us at the property at the end of the survey, so that he could explain his findings. He walked us around the property, and even drew diagrams for us. Nothing was too much trouble and we felt we understood everything really well. He was also happy to answer additional queries on the phone later - nothing was too much trouble! Such a refreshing change from other surveyors we’ve used before. We commissioned Tony twice, both times for a full building survey. The first time, he found a series of major issues in a property and we decided not to buy it on the strength of his findings. When he came to survey the second property, he found no major issues but gave us really great detailed advice about possible improvements we could make. We feel so lucky to have found Tony. We would choose him every time over a cheaper surveyor - he can potentially save you tens of thousands in the long run and is worth every penny.

We wanted a Specific Defect Report on our house. Tony came round and was very clear in his explanations and shared his comprehensive knowledge of both causes and ways to fix defects. We felt the fee was a bit expensive but worth it.

Tony Swainston carried out a survey on the home we plan to sell. Tony’s work is exceptional. His knowledge of property condition, building, and areas related to building surveys, is encyclopaedic. His approach is thorough, measured, thoughtful and guided by careful research. Tony spent hours going over every bit of our house and garden. His use of technology is strong – he videos and talks through commentary which he later uses to refer to and interpret in greater depth. Tony’s attention to detail is second to none and the conclusions he comes to are informative and helpful. I know that the research he did away from our property was also thorough and effective. Tony spent a long time talking us through his findings. He has also since been a great help in answering questions subsequent to our arranging for some work to be done on our house as a result of his survey. The report is clear, well written and of great use. I showed a relevant section to our local council building control surveyor, who told me that Tony was evidently extremely expert in his area. It is without hesitation that I recommend Tony Swainston as a building surveyor. He is professional, committed, thorough and extremely generous with his knowledge.

My wife and I instructed Tony to carry out a survey on a property we were purchasing earlier this year and we did this due to the reviews on Trusted Traders. I can say that we completely agree with the previously posted comments and found Tony to be extremely professional, helpful and thorough throw out the entire process. I personally spoke to him on the phone on several occasions about certain issues found in the survey and also asking for advice which was freely given, informative and balanced. Unfortunately this purchase fell through and we are still searching for our next property but when we find it we will definitely be instructing Tony to carry out the survey. Highly recommended.

Tony has performed two home condition surveys for me in North and South London. If I ever need future surveys performed, I will be asking Tony to do them, without a moment's hesitation. I have used surveyors prior to Tony but Tony is in a different league to them. He clearly has a passion for his work and where others would spend 2 hours inspecting a property, Tony will take 5-6 hours. No stone (to the extent is is relevant to the survey) will be left unturned. At the end of the survey, Tony offers a 30 minute debrief onsite to talk through any concerns he has identified, which is very helpful before the report itself is produced. Given Tony's detail focused nature, his reports are not produced overnight and take 5-10 working days but the end result is as detailed as can be but understandable by a layperson. Tony's willingness to assist does not end at the point the survey has been produced. In my case, having identified a potential issue, he contacted the relevant parties to investigate the issue further and followed up with the relevant authorities himself, saving me a job that would be difficult for a layperson. Tony's fees are reasonable considering the effort he goes to. I have been charged more for poorer quality reports by other surveyors. It is worth noting that my conveyancing solicitor (in business since the early 1980s) told me that Tony's reports are the best he has ever seen and has started to refer his clients to Tony for their survey needs.

Tony came to my 1900's flat to investigate and give advice / recommendations (followed 2 days later by a report / email) to resolve a persistent damp problem in an internal wall. We were at the flat for about 2 hours. He was also happy to answer some subsequent questions I had after our face to face meeting. Various things had been done in the past as well as recently in attempts to resolve the long standing damp problem. The problem, as Tony explained to me appears to be a more complex situation. This is due to refurbishment works done to the rest of the flat over the years which inadvertently had not considered the impact those works would have on the property. Tony was most helpful, easy to talk to and helped me understand the very likely contributing factors to the damp problem and also gave clear recommendations what needs doing to put things right. In order to come to this conclusion, Tony went beyond the immediate brief of the task in order to clarify the wider scenario for me. He was very professional and thorough, clearly enjoys his work and is keen to ensure that he has done his job well. I would highly recommend Tony for any survey.

After getting four quotes we instructed Tony to conduct a Home Condition Report for a 1970s house that we were intending to buy. Reasons we chose Tony were that we wanted a good inspection of the roof and Tony uses WiFi cameras on poles and a drone to inspect inaccessible places, puts (good quality.) photos into the report as visual evidence, requests the property owners to complete a supplementary questionnaire. In the past we have had MRICS surveys so I read up about the schemes through which Tony qualified and was satisfied. Tony was very proactive in asking for specifics that we would like him to look into and was equally proactive in addressing these including finding additional info online. The report itself was absolutely excellent, far more thorough than our past MRICS Home Buyers Reports, excellent photographic evidence, great layout, clearly written in plain English. It does take longer to produce so if you're in a rush, it's worth checking when Tony will produce it. We waited two weeks. Tony gave great advice on follow-on inspections and also on how to build evidence to renegotiate the purchase price. The owners accepted our revised offer without debate, in part I believe because of the strength of evidence from the survey report and the follow-on inspections that we commissioned on Tony's advice. We saved 5X the survey cost on the renegotiated price. Final proof of the pudding: I've just recommended Tony to a good friend who is buying a house.

Tony conducted two surveys for us in quick succession as we had to make decisions about how to move forward. He was really easy to deal with, followed up for us with tricky agents and kept us in the loop at all times. His surveys were very thorough and made us feel completely informed about all aspects of the houses we were looking at. It was a great comfort to us as first time buyers to have such a friendly surveyor who was able to help guide us through the various issues we would need to contend with.