RICS Chartered Surveyors

Gowers Surveyors are an independent firm of RICS Chartered Surveyors providing professional building surveys across Cambridge and the surrounding Cambridgeshire villages. From Victorian terraces in Romsey and period homes in Newnham to modern apartments in CB1 and family properties in Trumpington, our experienced surveyors deliver clear, impartial advice to help you understand the condition of your prospective home.

With extensive knowledge of Cambridge’s diverse housing stock, including listed buildings, college-owned properties and contemporary developments, we tailor every survey to the property’s age, construction and condition. Whether you require a RICS Level 2 Home Survey or a detailed Level 3 Building Survey, our reports provide practical recommendations to help buyers, homeowners and investors make informed decisions. Our guide to choosing the right survey explains the available options and helps you select the most suitable service for your property.

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Get in Touch

Tel: 01223 653190
Email: cambridge@gowers.co.uk
Address: 9 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GE

Our Services

At Gowers Surveyors, our building surveyors offer the full range of surveying services to property owners and home buyers in Cambridge including RICS Level 3 Survey, period building surveys and party wall surveys. As members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, we provide RICS Level 1 Survey, RICS Level 2 Survey and Building Surveys, and are happy to advise on the most appropriate type of survey for your property.

Whichever level of home survey you choose, you can rest assured of our professionalism and skill to provide you with the best information and support for your planned purchase or building project.

RICS Level 3 Survey (Building Survey)

Formerly known as a Full Structural Survey, the Building Survey is an extensive non-invasive inspection and detailed report designed to give you the best possible advice on the condition of the property including any defects and necessary repairs. This type of survey is most suitable for older and larger properties, or those that have undergone major alterations.

RICS Level 2 Survey (Homebuyers Survey)

Easily the most popular survey among home buyers, the HomeBuyer Report is based on a mid-level investigation of visible and accessible building elements to provide you with a good knowledge of the property’s condition, highlighting urgent defects or issues that need immediate attention. Modern properties of standard construction are most suited to this type of survey.

RICS Level 1 Survey (Condition Report)

The Condition Report is a basic building survey, designed to give a clear and concise assessment of the property’s condition at the time of inspection, including a summary of the key risks associated with the current state of repair. The report provides an overview to help purchasers understand what they are buying including any urgent defects that may need to be addressed before contracts are exchanged.

Not sure which one you need? Tell us about the property and we’ll recommend the appropriate survey.

Contact Us

Simply complete the form below and one of our friendly team will be in touch to discuss your survey options.

Why Choose Gowers Surveyors in Cambridge?

  • Independent RICS Chartered Surveyors – Receive impartial, professional advice from an experienced independent practice with no ties to estate agents or lenders.
  • Extensive Cambridge Knowledge – Regularly surveying properties across Cambridge gives us first-hand knowledge of the city’s historic homes, modern developments and common building defects.
  • Clear, Practical Reports – Every survey is written in straightforward language, highlighting significant defects, maintenance priorities and practical recommendations.
  • Survey Options to Suit Your Property – Whether you need a RICS Level 2 Home Survey, a Level 3 Building Survey or advice on a historic property, we’ll recommend the most appropriate service for your purchase.
  • Responsive Customer Service – From your first enquiry to discussing your completed report, our team is on hand to answer questions and provide straightforward guidance.
  • Trusted Across Cambridgeshire – Homebuyers, homeowners and property professionals continue to choose Gowers Surveyors for our thorough inspections, honest advice and reliable service.

Client Testimonials

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Simon Gledhill
6 November 2025
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Absolutely phenomenal! Paul completed a level 3 historic building survey on a large barn conversion for me. I honestly don't think I have ever been more impressed by any proffessional in any field! I was told by the estate agent that he has a reputation for providing next level detail... and that proved to be correct! His knowledge and wisdom are extraordinary. The report (supplied both in pdf and very impressive bound hardcover book) was 132 pages. It included very relevant advice about how to care for the building, adjusted to the specific context. But 75% of the content was describing the condition of the building and what work was necessary to rectify defects. The report was easy to read and written in plain English and with photos to illustrate. Both before and after the survey, I spoke at length with Paul on the phone - he was very patient with all my silly questions! We haven't yet decided if we are going to progress with this purchase, but I can certainly say that if we pursue another house instead, I won't use anyone other than Paul to survey it!
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Mark Long
7 January 2025
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If you are looking for an excellent, knowledgeable and helpful surveyor I wouldn't look any further! I researched the local market and Paul's name came up a number of times; I then spoke to his office (Catherine who is also great) and arranged a pre-survey meeting. Form that point on it has been seamless. I've bought 15+ houses and Paul is by far the best and most comprehensive surveyor I have used. You get what you pay for - I bought a grade II listed house and that's his sweet spot, so if you want to know a great deal about the house, what works are needed (and ideas on costs & recommendations) and also how to care for it afterwards, Paul is an excellent choice. Highly recommended.
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Estella Todisco
6 September 2024
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I can’t thank Paul Gowers enough for the work he did on a party wall dispute. He was professional, responsive and personable.
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Ben Green
24 May 2023
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Having used Paul's services for a survey on our upcoming listed building purchase I can assure you that you will get the most thorough, professional and helpful service that you could wish for. The report tallied over 100 pages covering all aspects of the house, walls, frames, windows, roof space, drainage, outbuildings, render, roof tiles, water tanks, electrics, insulation, listed building consent, health and safety and much more. Not only that but Paul's report also told us how to best maintain the house going forwards, using what materials and how often things need doing. This was most definitely worth every penny and has allowed us to make an informed decision on the purchase going forwards. A+ rating from me!
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James Marron
19 May 2023
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I could not recommend Paul Gowers highly enough. Excellent service and a very comprehensive, clear report. An extremely knowledgeable and helpful professional.
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Brian Scull
15 September 2021
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I have just had a Survey completed by Gowers of Stamford. I have to say that the team there are superb. From the first contact with Catherine who was courteous, professional and helpful and who also arranged everything. To the surveyor Paul who was marvellous, the report was clear and well presented and easy to understand. Paul was extremely helpful and prepared to spend time discussing all the sections and any issues i had.He was very professional and a pleasure to deal with. I don’t normally do revues but felt compelled on this occasion because they deserve enormous praise and i would thoroughly recommend them.
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Cameron Bauldry
7 July 2021
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I needed a building survey doing at short notice after red flags were raised once receiving searches and the sellers paperwork back. Unfortunately Gowers and everyone else I checked with were all booked up for months however Paul took time out of his busy day to speak to me, listen to my situation and provide me with some fantastic advice which I very much appreciate. He is very knowledgeable and the advice given has helped me in the next steps of my house purchase. Thank you again.
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Neil Crees
18 March 2021
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The value of using Paul, a local well known professional, was huge. I received immediate personal feedback allowing me to take timely action to avoid what could have been an expensive mistake.
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Sam Paul
10 December 2019
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We engaged Gowers to carry out a building survey for an old residential property with multiple issues. Paul Gowers was excellent in his response time to our questions and the level of professional reporting. The service we received was reassuring for us and we would certainly use Gowers again.
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Mandy Ingram
6 June 2018
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We recently used Gowers Surveyors for a building project involving the Party Wall Act. It was applicable on both boundaries and Paul acted as Agreed Surveyor on one side and Building Owner Surveyor on the other. The build itself was fairly straight forward, but the Party Wall process was definitely not... Paul is the consummate professional. Knowledgeable, reliable, calm and level headed he always made himself available whether in person or at the end of a phone or email to ourselves and our contractors. The project lasted 8 months and he continued to deliver the highest level of professionalism and advice throughout. Cannot recommend him highly enough!

Interested in our services?

Request a free no-obligation quote today.

Building Survey for Period Property

Local Property Surveyors in Cambridge

Cambridge is home to one of the UK’s most diverse property markets, with everything from Georgian townhouses and Victorian terraces to modern developments and converted college buildings. Each property type presents different construction methods and maintenance considerations, making local experience invaluable when carrying out a Building Survey.

Our surveyors regularly inspect properties throughout central Cambridge, Trumpington, Cherry Hinton, Newnham, Histon, Grantchester, Girton, Great Shelford and the surrounding villages. We are familiar with the common issues affecting homes across the area, including ageing roof structures, damp, structural movement, alterations to period properties and defects found in newer developments. Where appropriate, we also carry out specialist Historic Building Surveys for older and listed properties.

Whether you’re buying a listed building near the city centre or a recently built home close to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, every survey is tailored to the individual property, ensuring you receive relevant advice based on its construction, condition and location. If you’re unsure which inspection best suits your purchase, our guide to choosing the right survey explains the different survey options available. You can also explore our full range of residential surveying services to learn more about how we can help.

Experienced Surveyors with a Real Understanding of the Local Market

Gowers Surveyors is led by Paul Gowers, a Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Building Engineer with over 25 years’ experience providing professional surveying advice to residential and commercial property owners across Cambridge, Stamford and the surrounding areas.

With extensive knowledge of local properties, including period homes, historic buildings and modern developments, Paul combines technical expertise with an understanding of regional construction styles and common property issues to provide clear, practical advice.

Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), a Chartered Building Engineer, Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (FCABE) and a RICS Registered Valuer. His experience and professional qualifications ensure clients receive reliable guidance when purchasing, assessing or planning works on a property.

Other Services

Gowers Surveyors offer a variety of other property-related services and professional property advice for residential, commercial and industrial clients. Thanks to a winning combination of technical expertise, geographical knowledge and professional experience, our team of property surveyors is able to provide you with an in-depth, impartial service for:

  • RICS Level 3 Building Survey – Recommended for older, larger or altered properties, providing a comprehensive assessment of the building’s condition and repair requirements.
  • RICS Level 2 Home Survey – Ideal for conventional residential properties, highlighting significant defects and issues requiring attention before purchase.
  • RICS Level 1 Survey – A concise overview of a property’s condition, suitable for newer homes in reasonable condition.
  • Historic Building Surveys – Specialist surveys for listed and traditional buildings using appropriate conservation principles.
  • Party Wall Surveys – Professional advice for homeowners planning building works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

For more information, to discuss your requirements for building surveys in Cambridge, or to arrange a meeting with one of our surveyors, please contact our local office here.

Front of house

Full Building Surveys in Cambridge

If you’re purchasing an older, larger or more complex property, a Full Building Survey provides the most comprehensive assessment of its condition. Officially known as a RICS Level 3 Building Survey, it is ideal for period homes, listed buildings, properties that have been altered or homes requiring renovation.

Our experienced surveyors carry out RICS Level 3 Building Surveys across Cambridge and the surrounding areas, delivering clear, practical reports that identify defects, maintenance issues and recommended repairs. If you’re unsure which survey is right for your property, our guide to choosing the right survey can help.

 

Structural Surveys in Cambridge

Many homebuyers still search for a Structural Survey in Cambridge, although the official RICS term is now a Level 3 Building Survey (formerly known as a Full Structural Survey). This survey is recommended for older homes, listed buildings, properties of non-standard construction and those where structural concerns may be present.

At Gowers Surveyors, we provide Level 3 Building Surveys throughout Cambridge, offering detailed, easy-to-understand reports to help you make informed property decisions. We also have extensive experience surveying historic and listed buildings across Cambridge.

About Gowers Surveyors

Established by Paul Gowers, Gowers Surveyors has built a reputation for delivering thorough, independent property advice throughout Cambridge and the surrounding counties. As a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Association of Building Engineers and the Faculty of Building, Paul brings more than two decades of surveying experience to every instruction.

Our practice is built on long-term client relationships, professional integrity and clear communication. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, investing in a listed property or managing a commercial building, our focus is on providing practical advice that helps you make informed decisions with confidence.

Cambridge FAQs

Do I need a property survey when buying a home in Cambridge?

A property survey is strongly recommended when purchasing a home in Cambridge, particularly given the wide variety of properties found across the city. From Victorian terraces and period homes in central Cambridge to newer developments in Trumpington and around the science parks, a survey can help identify potential issues before you complete your purchase. Gowers Surveyors provide detailed building surveys to help buyers understand the condition of their chosen property.

What types of properties do Gowers Surveyors inspect in Cambridge?
Which areas of Cambridge do your surveyors cover?
Are Gowers Surveyors experienced with older properties in Cambridge?
Can you survey new-build properties in Cambridge?
Which property survey should I choose in Cambridge?
Why choose Gowers Surveyors for a property survey in Cambridge?

Interested in our services?

Request a free no obligation quote today