Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Building Surveying and Architectural Design
Established in 1986 by Richard Thomas, R T P Surveyors has built a reputation as a trusted provider of building surveying, property consultancy, and architectural design services. With over 35 years of experience, we serve homeowners, developers, and public sector clients across Cornwall, Devon, and the wider South West. Our expertise spans residential, commercial, heritage, and public buildings, offering tailored solutions from initial design to dispute resolution. We specialise in historic building conservation, compliance consultancy, and project management, ensuring clients receive technically sound advice aligned with regulatory standards. Our team of chartered surveyors and architectural professionals delivers meticulous attention to detail, combining technical proficiency with a client-centric approach.We have completed over 10,000 projects, including high-profile work on Falmouth University's Fox Building and the restoration of cliff-side properties. Our services extend to fire risk assessments, reinstatement cost evaluations, and party wall matters, addressing both contemporary and heritage-specific challenges. With offices in Falmouth, Bodmin, and Plymouth, we combine local knowledge with national standards of excellence. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through long-term client relationships and a track record of navigating complex planning permissions and conservation requirements. As a company that transitioned from R.G. Thomas to R T P Surveyors in 2011, we continue to uphold the founding principle of providing a sound foundation for property decisions.
Services
Building Surveys
Architectural Design
Historic Conservation
Compliance Consultancy
Reinstatement Assessments
Party Wall Matters
Dilapidations
Valuations
Fire Risk Assessment
Maintenance Inspections
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in South West property consultancy
- Our team holds chartered surveyor and architectural design qualifications
- Specialists in historic building conservation approvals
- Proven track record with 10,000+ completed projects
- Multi-office coverage across Cornwall and Devon
Services
Building Surveys
Our comprehensive building surveys identify structural defects and maintenance needs for residential and commercial properties. Using advanced diagnostic techniques, we assess construction quality, material condition, and regulatory compliance. Clients receive detailed reports with prioritised repair recommendations and cost estimates, ensuring informed decision-making for property purchases or renovation projects.
Architectural Design
From concept to completion, our architectural design service delivers tailored building solutions that balance aesthetics and functionality. We specialise in new constructions, extensions, and adaptive reuse projects, managing planning applications and building regulations compliance. Our approach integrates modern construction methods with traditional craftsmanship, particularly for challenging coastal environments.
Historic Conservation
Preserving architectural heritage while enabling practical use defines our historic building conservation service. We navigate listed building consents and produce quinquennial inspection reports for churches. Our expertise extends to traditional construction techniques, sourcing authentic materials, and developing maintenance strategies that maintain historical integrity while meeting modern standards.
Compliance Consultancy
We ensure projects meet health and safety regulations through CDM consultancy and fire risk assessments. Our team interprets complex legislation to guide clients through compliance requirements, from initial design stages to project completion. This includes producing fire safety strategies and health and safety documentation that satisfy enforcing authorities.
Reinstatement Assessments
Our precise reinstatement cost assessments prevent underinsurance by calculating accurate rebuilding costs for insurance purposes. Using detailed quantity surveying methods, we consider current construction rates and special features that affect valuation. This service is particularly valuable for commercial property owners and heritage building custodians requiring precise financial planning.
People
Richard Thomas
Founder
Established R T P Surveyors in 1986, bringing 35+ years of surveying expertise. Transitioned to consultant role in 2018, mentoring new leadership while maintaining technical oversight.
Martin Winchester
Director
Joined the team in 1990, instrumental in expanding services across Devon. Specialises in commercial property assessments and project management for large-scale developments.
Richard Collett
Director
Became director in 2011, leading the transition to R T P Surveyors. Focuses on heritage building conservation and maintaining the firm's technical excellence standards.
Martyn Middlewick
Director
Co-director since 2011, managing day-to-day operations. Expertise in residential surveys and dispute resolution, particularly for coastal property challenges.
John Darbyshire
Director
Joined leadership team in 2018, expanding Plymouth office operations. Specialises in public sector projects, including educational facility renovations and hospital maintenance programmes.
Questions
What areas do RTP Surveyors cover?
We operate across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and the wider South West region, with offices in Falmouth, Bodmin and Plymouth.
Do you handle both residential and commercial properties?
Yes, we provide services for residential homes, commercial buildings, heritage sites and public sector facilities like schools and hospitals.
How experienced are your surveyors?
Our team has over 35 years collective experience, including chartered surveyors and architectural professionals specialising in coastal and heritage buildings.
Can you assist with listed building projects?
Yes, we specialise in historic building conservation, listed building consent applications and quinquennial church inspections.
What emergency services do you offer?
We don't provide emergency services but prioritise urgent cases through standard appointment scheduling when structural concerns arise.
Reviews (1)
Richard Bowyer
Jul 11, 2018
Report
Jason Rash provided an excellent and accurate survey for our recent house purchase. His attention to detail and ready support through the purchase process was really good. Subsequent to the move he has continued to support us with clarifications as we address his recommendations. We are pleased to have chosen RTP with Jason to perform our survey and do not hesitate to recommend their services.
