How Barking Surveyors Came to Be
Barking Surveyors was founded with a single frustration: too many homebuyers in East London were getting surveys done by firms based miles away — surveyors who'd never set foot in the borough and didn't know a Becontree semi from a Barking Riverside new-build.
Our founders — all lifelong East Londoners — set out to change that. We built a practice rooted in the community, with surveyors who understand the local housing stock, know the geology of the area (yes, London clay and its subsidence risk), and appreciate the unique challenges of buying and selling in this evolving property market.
Today, Barking Surveyors is one of the most trusted and reviewed surveying practices in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. We've completed over 1,200 surveys, earned more than 87 five-star reviews, and helped hundreds of buyers avoid costly mistakes — or renegotiate the price.
We're proud to be local. And we're proud of the work we do.
Our Values as Surveyors in Barking
Honesty First
We tell you what we see, not what you want to hear. If a property has serious problems, you'll know about them in clear, plain English before you commit to buying.
Genuinely Local
We live and work in Barking and East London. We know the streets, the housing types, and the local issues — from flood risk to clay subsidence — that affect property values and condition.
Professional Standards
Every survey we produce meets the standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). We're regulated, insured, and accountable.
Jargon-Free Communication
Surveying has a language all its own. We translate it. Our reports are written in plain English, and we'll always take a call to walk you through the findings.
Reliable & Punctual
We respect your time and your property chain. Reports are delivered on time, every time. We handle all coordination with estate agents — you don't need to chase anyone.
Transparent Pricing
You'll always know your price before we start. No surprises, no add-ons. Just a fair, fixed fee for excellent professional work.
Meet Your Barking Surveyors Team
Every member of our team is a local professional with a genuine passion for property and for helping buyers make informed decisions.
James Wilson
Director & Senior Surveyor
James has been surveying properties in and around Barking for over fifteen years. He grew up in Dagenham and started his career working for a large national firm before returning to East London to found Barking Surveyors. His specialist knowledge of Victorian and Edwardian housing stock in the borough is second to none.
James personally oversees all Level 3 building surveys and is a keen advocate for buyer education. He's given talks at local community events about what to look for when buying a property in East London — and he means it when he says he'd rather you didn't buy a bad property than commission a survey.
Sarah Chen
Surveyor & Valuation Specialist
Sarah joined Barking Surveyors after five years at a West End valuation practice and brings an expert eye for market valuation to the team. She leads our valuation services, including Help to Buy, shared ownership, and matrimonial valuations across East London and the Home Counties.
Sarah is particularly familiar with the new-build sector in Barking and Dagenham, having surveyed dozens of properties at Barking Riverside since the development launched. She's also one of our most popular surveyors with first-time buyers — her patient, thorough approach puts nervous clients at ease.
David Okafor
Building Surveyor & Party Wall Specialist
David is a building surveyor with a background in structural engineering. He handles our most complex structural cases — from properties with significant subsidence to commercial buildings requiring dilapidations reports. His party wall work is particularly sought-after throughout Barking and Dagenham.
Born in East London, David has a deep personal connection to the area. He's passionate about making safe and accessible property information available to everyone in the community, regardless of their background. Outside of surveying, he volunteers with a local housing charity helping tenants understand their rights.
Regulated, Accredited & Insured Surveyors in Barking
RICS
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The gold standard for property professionals worldwide. All our surveyors are RICS-accredited or working towards full accreditation.
CIOB
Chartered Institute of Building. The professional body for construction and built environment professionals. Our building surveyors hold CIOB membership.
RPSA
Residential Property Surveyors Association. Specialist body for home surveyors, ensuring the highest standards specifically in residential homebuyer and building surveys.
Work With Your Local Barking Surveyors
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