Artificial Intelligence: How it can assist with surveying

Artificial intelligence is becoming a practical tool across many industries, and property surveying is no exception. For buyers commissioning a RICS Level 3 Survey, the growing use of AI means surveyors can work more efficiently and identify defects with greater accuracy than before.

Artificial intelligence uses the speed and processing power of digital technology to complete tasks that would otherwise require significant human time and effort.

An AI system has to be taught what to look for and how to respond, but once trained it can work through large amounts of data, images and documentation far faster than a human. It is particularly useful for repetitive or laborious tasks, freeing up skilled professionals to focus on the work that genuinely requires their expertise and judgement.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), AI is set to have a significant impact on the buildings and construction sectors.

For surveyors checking a building on behalf of a potential buyer, AI allows for more efficient and accurate assessment of issues. Combined with tools like drone technology, AI can help inspect sections of a building that would otherwise be difficult to access, processing images and sensor data to flag potential issues for closer investigation.

AI systems can also assess data from various meters and sensors to identify not only existing defects but also maintenance needs that might not yet be visible. This allows surveyors to focus their time on the highest-risk sections of a building rather than spending it on routine data collection.

During an inspection, a chartered surveyor takes photographs, measurements and notes on everything from roof coverings to signs of damp. AI can review those images alongside the surveyor, picking out details that are easy to miss on a first pass, such as a hairline crack, an early sign of movement or a pattern across several photos that points to a bigger issue. It works in a similar way to AI tools that help doctors review scans: it gives the professional a faster first look so they can focus their time where it matters most, but it does not make the final call.

RICS has published formal standards on how AI should be used responsibly in surveying, covering transparency, professional oversight and accountability. You can read more in our guide to RICS and AI in building surveys.

AI is a tool that assists the chartered surveyor, not a replacement for their professional judgement.

RICS is clear that where AI is used, it should support rather than override a surveyor's expertise. Results generated by AI tools require experience and knowledge to be properly interpreted and applied to the specific building being assessed.

The surveyor remains the accountable professional. AI simply allows them to do that job more thoroughly and efficiently and as trust in these systems grows across the industry, their role in surveying services will continue to develop.

Yes. Software and AI tools can now model how much daylight and sunlight a building or room will receive, and these results are often used in planning applications and disputes over new development. But a model is only as good as the information it is given, and a right to light claim is a legal matter, not just a measurement. Under RICS standards, a chartered surveyor remains accountable for any advice or report that relies on AI, so results should be checked and signed off by a qualified surveyor before you rely on them, especially if you are buying a property next to a planned development.

For buyers, the growing use of AI in surveying is broadly positive. It means surveyors can identify issues that might previously have been missed, process data more quickly and produce more detailed findings.

The quality of any survey still depends on the chartered surveyor you instruct, however. At Surveyor Local, all surveyors on our panel are RICS-qualified, experienced and up to date with the latest tools and techniques available to them.

The built environment is changing, and the professional services that support buyers must keep pace. AI surveying is one step in that direction.

Surveyor Local works with RICS chartered surveyors across England and Wales. Get a no-obligation quote online or call our friendly team on .