About Us | Chelmsford Surveyor – RICS Chartered Surveyors in Essex

Our Story

A Chelmsford Surveyor You Can Actually Trust

Chelmsford Surveyor was founded with a straightforward mission: to give property buyers and sellers in Essex honest, expert advice — without the jargon or the hard sell.

We set up in Chelmsford because we saw a real need for local surveyors who genuinely understood the area. Not a national firm with a call centre, but a dedicated, locally-based practice that knows Chelmsford's streets, its housing stock, and its property market inside out.

Over the years, we've surveyed everything from tiny studio flats in the city centre to large Victorian villas in the leafy suburbs — from modern new-build estates in Chelmer Village to 400-year-old timber-framed farmhouses in the Essex countryside. Every property tells a different story, and we take pride in reading that story carefully.

Today, we're a small but highly experienced firm of chartered surveyors and RICS registered valuers who specialise in residential properties across Essex. We're dedicated to providing a wide range of services — from RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Reports to comprehensive Level 3 Building Surveys and residential valuation reports — all delivered with the same level of care and professionalism.

Our Services Get in Touch

Professional property survey report documents and floor plans on a surveyor's desk

500+ Surveys Done

What We Stand For

Our Values as a Firm of Chartered Surveyors

These aren't just buzzwords on a page. They're the principles that guide every survey we carry out across Chelmsford and Essex.

Independence & Honesty

We work for you — not the estate agent, not the lender. Our reports reflect what we actually find, not what anyone wants to hear. If there's a problem, you'll know about it.

Thoroughness

A quick walk-through isn't a survey. We carry out detailed, methodical inspections — looking behind the obvious, beneath the surface, and into the spaces that might otherwise be overlooked.

Clear Communication

We write reports that real people can understand. And when you have questions afterwards, we pick up the phone. A good surveyor isn't just a report-writer — they're an adviser.

Local Knowledge

We know which areas of Chelmsford have higher subsidence risk, which post-war housing types need extra scrutiny, and which Chelmsford streets come with hidden surprises. That local knowledge is invaluable.

Continuous Learning

The built environment keeps changing — new construction techniques, updated regulations, evolving risks. We invest in ongoing CPD and professional development to stay at the top of our game.

Genuine Care

For most people, buying a home is the biggest financial decision of their lives. We never forget that. Every survey we complete is treated with the attention and care it deserves.

Meet the Team

The People Behind Chelmsford Surveyor

A small, dedicated team of chartered surveyors and valuers who are passionate about properties, people, and doing the right thing.

James Hartley

Principal Surveyor

James has been surveying properties in Chelmsford and across Essex for over 15 years. He founded the practice with a clear vision: to provide honest, expert surveying services to the local community. He has a wealth of experience across all property types — from Georgian townhouses to modern apartment blocks. When he's not on site, James loves walking the Essex countryside and restoring classic cars.

Claire Ashton

Senior Surveyor

Claire joined the team eight years ago after cutting her teeth at a large national firm, and she quickly became an essential part of the practice. She specialises in residential properties across Essex, with a particular interest in damp and timber issues — the kind of hidden defects that can cost buyers dearly if they go undetected. Claire is known for her incredibly thorough approach and her ability to explain complex issues in simple terms.

Tom Greenfield

Valuer

Tom heads up our valuation arm and is one of the most experienced RICS registered valuers in the Chelmsford area. He has carried out hundreds of residential valuation reports for mortgage, Help to Buy, probate, and private purposes. His deep understanding of the Chelmsford property market — and the broader Essex property landscape — makes him a hugely valuable asset to both private clients and professional firms.

Our Credentials

Chartered Surveyors and RICS Registered Valuers

Professional accreditation matters. It's your guarantee that we meet rigorous standards of competence, ethics, and professional practice.

RICS

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the world's leading professional body for surveyors. Our membership means we're held to the highest standards of professional practice. You can verify our status at ricsfirms.com.

CIOB

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is a globally recognised professional body focused on the management of the built environment. CIOB accreditation demonstrates the highest standards of competence in building and construction surveying.

RPSA

The Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) sets the standard for residential surveying practice. Our RPSA membership further underlines our commitment to quality and professionalism in every survey we carry out across Essex.

Our Journey

15+ Years Serving Essex

2009 – Founded in Chelmsford

James Hartley sets up practice in Chelmsford with a mission to offer genuinely independent, client-first surveying services to the Essex property market.

2014 – 100th Survey Milestone

We celebrate our 100th completed survey. Word of mouth is growing, and we expand our coverage across more areas of Essex.

2016 – Claire Ashton Joins the Team

Senior Surveyor Claire Ashton joins, bringing specialist expertise in damp, timber defects, and older properties — helping us serve Chelmsford's Victorian and Edwardian housing stock even better.

2019 – Valuations Service Launched

Tom Greenfield joins as our dedicated RICS registered valuer. We launch a full residential valuations service, including Help to Buy, probate, and matrimonial valuations.

2022 – 400 Surveys Completed

A major milestone — over 400 surveys completed for happy clients across Chelmsford and Essex. Our reputation for honest, thorough reports continues to grow.

2025–2026 – Looking Ahead

With over 500 surveys under our belt, we continue to expand our coverage across Essex — always maintaining the personal, expert service that has defined us since day one.

What Clients Say About Our Team

Real Reviews from Real Essex Property Buyers

"James was incredibly professional and thorough. He found issues that two previous surveyors had completely missed, and his report was so clear and detailed that we felt totally prepared for our purchase negotiations. An absolutely brilliant surveyor."

Paul H.

Writtle, Essex

"Claire surveyed a 1920s semi for us in Chelmsford and spotted rising damp in the side extension that we'd completely overlooked. Her follow-up call to explain the findings was incredibly helpful. We used the report to negotiate a significant reduction in the asking price. Amazing service."

Mark F.

Springfield, Chelmsford

"Tom provided an RICS valuation report for our probate case. He was sensitive to the circumstances, incredibly professional, and delivered a thorough report within the promised timeframe. I would not hesitate to recommend Chelmsford Surveyor to anyone."

Linda W.

Danbury, Essex

About Chelmsford Surveyor