About Pimlico Surveyors

An independent firm of experienced RICS surveyors with deep roots in Pimlico and a commitment to honest, thorough advice.

Pimlico Surveyors team collaborating over architectural drawings in their London office
Est. 2009, Pimlico
Our Story

Pimlico Surveyors: Born from a Passion for Property

Pimlico Surveyors started the way many good things do — with one person who cared deeply about getting it right. When James Hartley MRICS founded the practice in 2009, he'd spent a decade watching clients receive vague, poorly written survey reports that left them more confused than informed.

"I kept seeing the same thing," James recalls. "People spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a property, and the survey they got back was three pages of boilerplate language that told them almost nothing. I thought — there has to be a better way."

That better way became Pimlico Surveyors. From day one, the ethos has been simple: every client deserves a thorough, informative, and genuinely useful survey — written in plain English, backed by real expertise, and delivered with proper care.

Today, we are a firm of RICS surveyors offering a wide range of property survey services across London and the Home Counties. We're still independent. We still care. And we're still writing surveys the way they should be written.

Our Values

What Drives Pimlico Surveyors

Every survey we carry out reflects the same core commitments — to our clients, to our profession, and to the properties we inspect.

Independence & Integrity

We have no commercial ties to any estate agent, developer, or mortgage lender. Our reports say what needs to be said — nothing more, nothing less. Our clients come first, always.

Thoroughness

We never rush an inspection. We access every accessible area of a property and document what we find in clear, structured reports. Our clients tell us our reports are the most detailed they've ever received.

Communication

A great survey is useless if the client can't understand it. We write in plain English, avoid unnecessary jargon, and are always available to talk through findings with clients after they've received their report.

Promptness

We know that when you're in the middle of a property transaction, time is of the essence. We aim to deliver all reports within 3–5 working days of inspection, with urgent turnarounds available on request.

Professionalism

Every member of our team is accredited under RICS, CIOB, or RPSA. We adhere strictly to the RICS Rules of Conduct and keep our professional development up to date — your survey is always carried out to the highest industry standards.

Local Knowledge

We know Pimlico and central London inside out. Our surveyors understand the typical construction methods, building defects, and planning constraints specific to the area — and that local knowledge genuinely adds value to every report we write.

Our Team

Meet the Pimlico Surveyors Team

Our experienced RICS surveyors bring decades of combined expertise in residential and commercial property surveying across London and beyond.

James Hartley, Principal Surveyor at Pimlico Surveyors, standing outside a London property

James Hartley

Principal Surveyor & Founder

James founded Pimlico Surveyors in 2009 after more than a decade working for national surveying practices. He specialises in residential building surveys and structural defect analysis, with particular expertise in London's Georgian and Victorian housing stock. He has been a Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors since 2001 and is a member of CIOB.

"Every building has a story. My job is to read it clearly and help my clients make a confident, informed decision."

Sarah Pemberton, Associate Surveyor at Pimlico Surveyors, in the office

Sarah Pemberton

Associate Surveyor

Sarah joined Pimlico Surveyors in 2015 and has since become one of our most sought-after surveyors for party wall matters and RICS valuations. With a background in both residential surveying and property management, she brings a broad, practical perspective to every instruction. Sarah is a member of the RPSA and holds the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence.

"Party wall matters can feel daunting. I see it as my job to take the stress away and find the best outcome for everyone involved."

Oliver Chen, Surveyor at Pimlico Surveyors, London cityscape background

Oliver Chen

Surveyor

Oliver joined the team in 2019 and brings fresh expertise in home survey reports, RICS valuations, and schedule of condition work. He has particular experience surveying new-build and converted properties, and is often the first choice for our clients purchasing in London's emerging areas. Oliver is a full member of RICS and a Registered Valuer.

"I love the moment a client tells me that our survey gave them the confidence to move forward — or helped them avoid a costly mistake."

Accreditations

Our Professional Accreditations & Compliance

As a firm of RICS surveyors, our practice and our people are held to the highest professional standards in the industry.

RICS

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Pimlico Surveyors is a regulated firm under the RICS. All our surveyors are Chartered Members (MRICS) or Fellows (FRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors — the global professional body that sets and enforces standards in land, property, and construction. We are also RICS Registered Valuers.

CIOB

Chartered Institute of Building

Several members of our team hold professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), demonstrating their knowledge and expertise in construction, building pathology, and project management. CIOB membership reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and technical excellence in the built environment.

RPSA

Residential Property Surveyors Association

Our RPSA-accredited surveyors specialise exclusively in residential surveying, ensuring they have the focused expertise that homebuyers and sellers need. RPSA membership requires ongoing professional development and adherence to a strict code of practice centred entirely on the residential property sector.

Professional Indemnity & Compliance

As a RICS-regulated practice, Pimlico Surveyors carries full professional indemnity insurance. This means that in the rare event that an error occurs, our clients have proper protection. We comply fully with RICS Rules of Conduct for Firms and Individuals, and our practice is subject to regular RICS monitoring.

We operate under the laws of England and Wales and adhere to all relevant legislation, including the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the Land Registration Act 2002, and RICS Valuation – Global Standards (the Red Book).

  • Full professional indemnity insurance
  • RICS Regulated Practice
  • Registered in England and Wales
  • RICS Red Book Registered Valuers
  • GDPR compliant data handling
Client Feedback

What Clients Say About Our Experienced Surveyors

"James came across as genuinely invested in helping us — not just completing a job. He took the time to explain every issue he'd found and was still answering our questions a week after we received the report. That's the kind of service you just don't get from the big national firms."
Caroline L. Property buyer, Pimlico SW1
"Sarah managed our party wall notice with our neighbours superbly — it could have been very awkward given the history between us. She was diplomatic, professional, and got both parties to an agreement without a dispute. Brilliant service all round."
Paul G. Building owner, Battersea
"I've used a number of surveying firms over the years as a property developer. Pimlico Surveyors stand out for their knowledge, turnaround time, and the quality of their written reports. Oliver in particular is extremely knowledgeable about newer construction defects."
Nick B. Property developer, London

Ready to Work With Pimlico Surveyors?

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