Our Story

Hampton Surveyors: Independent, Impartial, Local

Hampton Surveyors was born out of a simple frustration: too many property buyers were getting surveys from faceless national firms, only to receive a generic report weeks later with no one available to actually explain it.

Our founder, James Hartley, had spent over 15 years working for large surveying practices across the London area before deciding enough was enough. He set up Hampton Surveyors to do things differently — to be the kind of local surveying practice where clients know who they're dealing with, can pick up the phone and speak to their actual surveyor, and receive a genuinely detailed, impartial assessment of the biggest purchase of their lives.

Today, Hampton Surveyors is a small but highly experienced team of building surveyors and registered valuers, all accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and/or the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA).

We specialise in residential property across Hampton, Twickenham, Feltham, Hampton Court and the wider West London and South East area. We've surveyed everything from Victorian terraces and Edwardian semis to 1960s maisonettes and striking Tudor-style detached homes near the river.

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Hampton Surveyors surveyor writing a detailed property survey report at their desk

"We believe a good survey is not just about finding problems — it's about giving you the knowledge to make the right decision."

— James Hartley, Founder, Hampton Surveyors

Our Values

What Hampton Surveyors Stands For

Impartial

We have no ties to estate agents, developers or lenders. Our advice is always 100% independent and in your best interests.

Thorough

We never rush a survey. Every inspection is carried out with the care and attention it deserves — not timed against a quota.

Accessible

We write reports in plain English. No jargon, no confusion. And your surveyor is always available for a follow-up chat.

Fast

We understand property chains. That's why we offer fast turnaround times — most reports delivered within 3–5 working days.

The Team

Meet the Hampton Surveyors Team

Our building surveyors bring decades of combined experience, deep local knowledge of the Hampton area, and a genuine passion for helping people navigate the property market with confidence.

James Hartley

Founder & Principal Surveyor

James founded Hampton Surveyors after 15 years working in residential surveying across West London. He is a respected figure in the local property community and has carried out well over 800 surveys in the Hampton, Twickenham and Richmond areas alone. James is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to explain complex structural issues in plain, honest language. When he's not inspecting properties, he's a keen cyclist and is often found on the riverside paths around Hampton Court at the weekend.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Building Surveyor

Sarah joined Hampton Surveyors after a distinguished career with a national surveying consultancy and brings particular expertise in Victorian and Edwardian properties — which make up a huge proportion of the housing stock across Twickenham, Feltham and the wider Hampton area. Her homebuyer reports are praised by clients for being clear, comprehensive and genuinely actionable. Sarah is also one of our lead consultants for party wall matters, having handled hundreds of party wall awards across Greater London. Outside work, she volunteers as a mentor for young women entering the surveying profession.

Oliver Chen

Building Surveyor & Registered Valuer

Oliver is our specialist in property valuations and new-build snagging surveys. As a RICS Registered Valuer, he prepares probate, matrimonial, Help to Buy, inheritance tax and lease extension valuations. He has a particular talent for snagging — his record stands at over 90 defects identified on a single new-build property — and developers in the area have learned to take his reports seriously. Oliver studied at the University of the West of England and has been based in the Hampton area for the past eight years. He's a passionate advocate for fair play in the new-build sector.

Professional Standards

Our Accreditations & Professional Memberships

Hampton Surveyors is a fully accredited surveying practice. Our team holds memberships and accreditations from the following professional bodies, ensuring you receive the highest standards of service and professional protection.

RICS

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

The world's leading professional body for property, construction and infrastructure. RICS regulates our practice, setting strict ethical and professional standards. Our RICS-qualified surveyors are bound by the RICS Code of Conduct and our firm carries professional indemnity insurance.

CIOB

Chartered Institute of Building

The CIOB is the world's largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. CIOB accreditation demonstrates excellence in building practice, project management and construction standards — skills directly relevant to identifying and assessing structural issues in your property.

RPSA

Residential Property Surveyors Association

The RPSA is the professional membership body specifically for residential property surveyors. RPSA membership signals a commitment to the highest standards in residential surveying, including transparent fee structures, clear reporting and a strong focus on consumer protection.

Our Journey

Hampton Surveyors: A Brief History

2008

The Beginning

James Hartley completes his final examinations and becomes a fully accredited RICS building surveyor, having spent seven years in the industry. He begins taking on residential survey commissions across West London.

2014

Hampton Surveyors is Founded

Frustrated with the impersonal service at large national firms, James founds Hampton Surveyors as an independent practice. The focus from day one: local expertise, honest reports and a personal service that bigger firms simply can't match.

2017

The Team Grows

Sarah Mitchell joins Hampton Surveyors, bringing her deep knowledge of Victorian and Edwardian construction. The practice expands into party wall services and matrimonial valuations, broadening the firm's comprehensive service offering across the Hampton and Twickenham area.

2020

500th Survey & Checkatrade Recognition

Hampton Surveyors completes its 500th survey and achieves a Checkatrade score of 9.8/10. Oliver Chen joins the team, adding specialist valuation and new-build snagging expertise. Despite the pandemic, the firm continues to provide essential pre-purchase surveys safely.

Today

1,400+ Surveys & Counting

Hampton Surveyors has now completed over 1,400 surveys across Greater London and the South East. With 247 five-star reviews and a 98% client satisfaction rate, we remain committed to what we've always believed: that a great surveyor can genuinely change someone's life.

Client Reviews

More Kind Words from Our Clients

★★★★★

"James is the definition of a highly professional surveyor. His Level 3 building survey on our older detached property in Richmond was exceptional — 72 pages of thorough, clearly written analysis. He called us the evening the report landed to walk us through the key points. Incredible service."

Peter W.Property Buyer, Richmond

★★★★★

"We had a complex party wall situation with a difficult neighbour. Sarah handled it with incredible diplomacy and professionalism. She acted as agreed surveyor for both sides and resolved everything smoothly. Our extension started on time and our neighbour relationship is intact. Thank you!"

Lucy & Ben H.Homeowners, Twickenham

★★★★★

"Oliver's snagging survey on our new-build in West London was extraordinary. He found 52 defects. The developer actually commented that it was the most thorough snagging report they'd received. Every single item was rectified before we moved in. Absolutely worth every penny — don't move into a new-build without one."

Nadia K.New-Build Buyer, West London

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Whether you're a first-time buyer in Feltham or an experienced investor in West London, our team of RICS-regulated surveyors is ready to help. Get an instant quote today.

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