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🧱 Dealing with the Surveyor

Why asking questions, staying involved, and advocating for your needs is essential

Once the clean-up has begun, your insurance company will likely appoint a building surveyor or loss adjuster to assess the structural damage to your home. They’ll inspect what needs replacing, decide what can be repaired, and provide a schedule of works for reinstatement.

That all sounds straightforward — but here’s the truth:

⚠️ You can’t just follow their advice blindly.
This is your home — not theirs.

🧠 Be Informed. Be Curious. Be Involved.

Surveyors are experts in buildings — but they don’t live in yours. They don’t know how your family uses a room. They don’t know that this cupboard holds all your kids’ school stuff, or that the flooring choice matters because of your dog, or that your mum can’t manage steps.

That’s why you need to be involved in every part of the process.

Ask:

  • What’s being replaced?
  • What’s being cleaned, not removed — and why?
  • What is the standard for sanitary safety?
  • Can I get a second opinion?
  • Is this a like-for-like replacement or a functional equivalent?
  • Who’s checking for hidden damage (subfloor, joists, insulation, wiring)?
  • Can I see the report or scope of works before it’s signed off?

🛠️ Structural vs Sanitary Damage

You may hear:

“That wall’s fine — it’s structurally sound.”

But you should ask:

“Is it sanitarily sound?”
“Has it absorbed contaminated water?”
“Will mould or bacteria form behind it later?”

Floodwater is often contaminated with sewage, oil, or chemicals. Just because something looks OK doesn’t mean it’s safe to keep.
👉 Sanitary damage matters just as much as structural.

If you’re worried, ask for sanitation testing or swab analysis, or insist on replacing materials that pose a long-term health risk.

💬 Top Tips When Dealing With the Surveyor

✅ 1. Don’t Be Afraid to Challenge

If something feels wrong, speak up.
You are allowed to say “That’s not good enough.”
You are allowed to ask for clarification.

This isn’t about being awkward — it’s about making sure your home is safe, functional, and right for you.

✅ 2. Request a Full Written Scope of Works

You are entitled to a breakdown of:

  • Everything that will be stripped out
  • What will be replaced and with what
  • Timelines for drying and reinstatement
  • Allowances for temporary rehousing, if needed

Ask for a copy and review it line by line.

✅ 3. Consider Appointing Your Own Surveyor

Your insurance-appointed surveyor is working for them, not for you.

If you feel unsure, consider hiring an independent chartered surveyor (ideally one experienced in flood claims). They can:

  • Advocate for you
  • Identify long-term issues
  • Negotiate better repair options
  • Push for more suitable reinstatement

Yes, you’ll need insurer approval — but if they decline, ask why.

✅ 4. Don’t Accept Cut Corners

If your bathroom tiles are half-stripped, don’t let them tile just the damaged section.
If the skirting boards are warped, they all need replacing — not just the obvious bits.
If the kitchen carcasses are swollen but the doors look OK, that’s still unsanitary.

You’ve paid for insurance. You deserve a proper fix.

✅ 5. Keep Everything in Writing

If something is agreed verbally:

  • Follow up with an email
  • Get confirmation from both the insurer and surveyor
  • Take photos throughout the process

It protects you later if there’s a disagreement or a mistake.

🧾 Questions Worth Asking

  • “Has plasterboard been removed up to at least 1m high?”
  • “Are you inspecting behind skirtings and in voids?”
  • “What materials are being used for the reinstatement — are they water-resistant?”
  • “Are you making allowances for future resilience upgrades (non-return valves, waterproof floors, etc)?”
  • “Are electrics being inspected by a qualified person?”

🤝 Final Word

Your surveyor is an expert — but you’re the one who has to live there.
They may be under pressure from insurers to keep costs down. But it’s your job to make sure the result is safe, clean, and fit for purpose.

👉 Ask questions.
👉 Get things in writing.
👉 Speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

You only get one shot at getting your home put back together properly — so don’t be afraid to make your voice heard.