Business Details
37 Years
experience
Trusted Surveyors in Nottingham for Home Surveys
Established in 1989, SDL Surveying has become the UK's largest independent provider of mortgage valuations. With over 35 years of experience, we work with most major lenders, managing more than 200,000 cases annually. Our pioneering use of technology, including the first iPad-based surveying system in 2010 and innovative desktop valuations, has revolutionized the industry. We combine extensive expertise with a commitment to quality, holding RICS compliance across our Level 2 and Level 3 Home Surveys. Recognized through multiple industry awards, including Best Surveyor at the Financial Reporter Awards, our team of chartered professionals delivers exceptional service.We maintain authoritativeness through our nationwide network of surveyors and partnerships with leading mortgage networks. Our trustworthiness is demonstrated through transparent processes, customer-centric approaches, and a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. With an Excellent rating on Trustpilot and Google, we ensure reliable, efficient service for both lenders and homeowners.
Services
Level 2 Home Survey
Level 3 Home Survey
Help to Buy Valuations
Specialist Reports
Energy Performance Certificates
Retrofit Services
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- 35 years of experience in professional surveying since 1989
- First to introduce iPad technology for surveying in 2010
- Award-winning service with multiple industry recognitions
- Maintain RICS compliance across all surveying products
- Rated Excellent on Trustpilot and Google with 4.3 GOOD rating
Associations and certifications
- RICS
What people say
Award winning service
Excellent customer service
Trusted by lenders
Innovative technology
Professional team
Services
Level 2 Home Survey
Our Level 2 Home Survey provides a comprehensive RICS-compliant assessment of property condition. This report highlights significant defects requiring further inspection using clear traffic light ratings. Available in PDF or digital format, it helps buyers understand potential issues before purchase.
Level 3 Home Survey
The Level 3 Home Survey offers the most detailed property inspection. Our chartered surveyors provide in-depth analysis of structural integrity and condition, with expert recommendations for repairs. This RICS-compliant survey is ideal for older or unique properties requiring thorough examination.
Help to Buy Valuations
Specialist valuations for Help to Buy and shared ownership schemes. Our RICS-registered surveyors assess properties according to government requirements, ensuring accurate valuations for equity loan applications and shared ownership arrangements across England, Scotland and Wales.
Energy Performance Certificates
We provide legally required Energy Performance Certificates for property sales and rentals. Our accredited assessors evaluate energy efficiency and suggest improvements. EPCs help homeowners understand running costs and meet legal requirements when marketing properties.
Retrofit Services
Our retrofit services improve property energy efficiency through expert modifications. We implement whole-house approaches including insulation, heating system upgrades and renewable energy solutions. These improvements reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for homeowners and landlords.
People
Simon Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
With over 30 years in financial services, Simon has led SDL Surveying since 2007. He previously held senior roles at HSBC, Aon and Egg, bringing extensive operational expertise to the business.
Carl Webber
Chief Operating Officer
Carl joined SDL in 2019, overseeing technology and operations. With experience at ASOS and Homeserve, he has driven digital transformation initiatives and now leads operational strategy across the surveying network.
Claire Lydon
Client Relationship Director
Having joined in 1996, Claire has over 25 years' industry experience. She manages key client relationships and has been instrumental in SDL's growth through strategic lender partnerships.
Giles Smith
Chief Surveyor and Technical Director
A qualified Chartered Building Surveyor since 1989, Giles oversees technical standards and surveyor audits. With experience at C&G and Lloyds, he ensures quality across SDL's nationwide surveying operations.
Adam Baker
Field Surveying Director
With 35 years in residential property, Adam manages SDL's 140-strong surveyor team. His extensive market knowledge ensures efficient delivery of survey services across the UK's diverse property landscape.
Questions
What's the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 home surveys?
Level 2 provides a standard condition report with traffic light ratings, while Level 3 offers detailed structural analysis with repair recommendations for complex properties.
Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate when selling my home?
Yes, EPCs are legally required when selling or renting property. Our accredited assessors can produce this document to meet current regulations.
How quickly can I get a mortgage valuation completed?
Our local desktop valuations allow mortgage decisions within an hour, while physical valuations typically take 1-3 working days depending on location.
Can I book a home survey directly with SDL Surveying?
Yes, homeowners can book surveys directly through our online booking form or by contacting our home survey team directly.
What retrofit services do you offer for improving energy efficiency?
We provide comprehensive retrofit solutions including insulation upgrades, heating system improvements and renewable energy integration to enhance property energy performance.
How does SDL Surveying ensure quality across its nationwide network?
We maintain quality through RICS compliance, regular surveyor audits, and our proprietary iPad technology that standardises reporting processes across all network firms.
Reviews (6)
Julie Moorby
Jan 17, 2022
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Positive:Responsiveness
Paul fieldson attended at the time arranged. He was very friendly, helpful and professional. When obtaining a valuation this can be daunting, he made me feel at ease in my own home!
Paul fieldson attended at the time arranged. He was very friendly, helpful and professional. When obtaining a valuation this can be daunting, he made me feel at ease in my own home!
Katie H.
Jan 11, 2022
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Massively undervalued our home, extremely unprofessional and rude surveyor attended our home and simply had absolutely no idea what they were doing (Ive worked with surveyors for years). I will certainly be complaining! How such a reputable organisation such as Nationwide use such an appalling company Ive no idea!
Jamie Walker
Jan 08, 2022
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Critical:Responsiveness
Absolute shambles! Was asked to organise a survey of our rental property, despite multiple bookings they kept organising the appt at times I wasnt available despite telling them multiple times that it needed to be in the afternoon.
Absolute shambles! Was asked to organise a survey of our rental property, despite multiple bookings they kept organising the appt at times I wasnt available despite telling them multiple times that it needed to be in the afternoon.
Mac Bhakta
Jan 01, 2022
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I hope you don't get this company to do a valuation on your property, they'll probably outsource it and get inexperienced surveyors to come out who don't do their research. Our surveyor has made accusations that o pressured to be in and out of my property ASAP but when I asked him if he wanted to inspect the garage which has been converted into a room, Tom, declined.... not sure how I pressured him when I'm offering him my time. End result is my property was down valued by 17k and other properties around me that are very similar and some that are not but smaller have been sold 30k more than mine
Emily Robinson
Nov 24, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
I was so nervous after reading some of the reviews regarding valuations. We got a valuation as we were remortgaging and our house was valued at the price we were expecting. The visit lasted 20 minutes and the surveyor was friendly and polite.
I was so nervous after reading some of the reviews regarding valuations. We got a valuation as we were remortgaging and our house was valued at the price we were expecting. The visit lasted 20 minutes and the surveyor was friendly and polite.
Natalie Charlesworth
Aug 17, 2021
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We did not have a good experience having our house surveyed by SDL Surveying. The first issue that we had was:
- They did not turn up on the date originally agreed. They did not inform us that they wouldn't be coming, nor did they inform our buyers who had paid for the survey. It was only when we rang after the 2 hour window had expired that we found out that the surveyor would not be coming. After rescheduling, the issues we had with the actual survey were that it contained clearly incorrect information:
- It stated we had 'harmful moss' and a large number of cracked tiles on our main roof
- They did not turn up on the date originally agreed. They did not inform us that they wouldn't be coming, nor did they inform our buyers who had paid for the survey. It was only when we rang after the 2 hour window had expired that we found out that the surveyor would not be coming. After rescheduling, the issues we had with the actual survey were that it contained clearly incorrect information:
- It stated we had 'harmful moss' and a large number of cracked tiles on our main roof
