BUILDING KNOWLEDGE AND THE ROLE OF THE GENERAL PRACTICE SURVEYOR

This research was inspired, to some extent, by the growth in negligence claims against general practice chartered surveyors in recent years and the concern expressed in the various property journals over the level of building knowledge in the profession. The aim of this two‐part paper is to examine the requirements of general practitioners in the subject area and to attempt to draw some conclusions about the ability required, necessary changes in education and possible future changes in the profession's activities. A general practice surveyor is involved in many fields of work demanding an awareness of building. The activities of members of the profession can vary greatly and a clear definition of the knowledge necessary may be difficult to achieve. This paper will consider the range of activities in which a surveyor may become involved with respect to building. A questionnaire survey of the profession was conducted giving views about the range of building knowledge required in practice. This survey also allowed the respondents to add their opinions on the problem of the necessary ability required to undertake structural surveys.