Robert Callahan, senior building surveyor at Crowborough Surveyors, standing outside a traditional East Sussex country cottage with survey equipment
Founded in Crowborough Serving East Sussex since 2008

Our Story: Independent Surveyors Who Really Know East Sussex

Crowborough Surveyors was founded in 2008 by a group of experienced chartered building surveyors who shared a simple belief: that property buyers and owners in East Sussex deserved genuinely independent, expert advice — without the ties to estate agents, mortgage lenders or developers that compromise so many survey firms.

We started with a small team covering Crowborough and the immediate surrounding area. Over the years, our reputation for thorough, plain-English surveys and honest professional advice has grown naturally through word of mouth and recommendations from estate agents who trust us to give their clients the full picture.

Today, we're a respected independent firm of chartered building surveyors and RICS registered valuers, covering a wide area of East Sussex and into Kent. We've completed over 1,200 surveys — from tiny studio flats to large country houses — and our team brings decades of combined experience to every instruction.

We are proud to be fully independent. That matters, because it means our reports are written for one person only: you.

What We Stand For

These aren't just words on a wall. They're the principles that shape how we conduct every survey, write every report and communicate with every client.

Genuine Independence

No ties to estate agents, lenders or developers. Our advice is independent and always in your interest, not ours.

Thorough by Nature

We don't rush surveys. We take the time to look properly, record findings accurately, and explain them clearly in our reports.

Plain English, Always

Surveying can seem complicated, but it shouldn't feel complicated. We write reports and give advice in plain, jargon-free language.

Local Commitment

We live and work in Crowborough and East Sussex. We care about the local community and the properties within it.

Professional Integrity

Every member of our team operates under the strict codes of conduct set by RICS, CIOB and/or RPSA. Your interests are always protected.

Continuous Development

The property world keeps changing. We invest in training, technology and CPD to ensure our surveyors stay at the cutting edge.

Meet the Crowborough Surveyors Team

Our team combines decades of experience across residential and commercial property surveying in East Sussex, Kent and the wider South East.

James Hargreaves, Principal Building Surveyor at Crowborough Surveyors, standing in front of a traditional East Sussex property

James Hargreaves

Principal Building Surveyor

James founded the firm in 2008 after more than a decade working for national surveying consultancies in London and the South East. He specialises in residential building surveys, structural defect analysis and party wall work.

James grew up near Crowborough and is passionate about the local area's distinctive mix of Victorian villas, Edwardian semis and rural period properties. He's personally surveyed hundreds of properties across East Sussex and Kent.

"Every building has a story. My job is to make sure you know the full story before you buy."

Sophie Whitmore, Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer at Crowborough Surveyors

Sophie Whitmore

Surveyor & Valuer

Sophie joined the firm in 2013, bringing particular expertise in residential property valuations, homebuyer reports and Help to Buy valuations. She's a RICS registered valuer and handles much of the firm's valuation work.

Sophie is especially well-regarded for her clear, approachable communication style. She has a gift for explaining complex valuation and survey findings in ways that make complete sense to first-time buyers and experienced property owners alike.

"Being independent means I can always be honest. Clients tell me that honesty is what they value most."

Robert Callahan, Senior Building Surveyor at Crowborough Surveyors, with extensive commercial and residential surveying experience in East Sussex

Robert Callahan

Senior Building Surveyor

Robert brings over 20 years of experience in both residential and commercial property surveying. He leads our commercial survey, dilapidations and expert witness work, and is particularly skilled in assessing complex structural defects.

Robert has acted as expert witness in numerous property-related legal proceedings and is known for producing detailed, watertight reports that hold up under cross-examination. He covers East Sussex, Kent and parts of West Sussex.

"I love old buildings. The older and more unusual the property, the more interesting the survey."

Our Journey: Crowborough Surveyors Through the Years

2008
Founded in Crowborough

James Hargreaves establishes the firm with a focus on residential building surveys across Crowborough and the surrounding area of East Sussex.

2011
Expansion into Kent

Growing demand from clients in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding Kent villages leads us to extend our surveying coverage across the county border.

2013
Valuation Services Launch

Sophie Whitmore joins and we add independent property valuations to our services, including Help to Buy, probate and matrimonial valuations.

2016
Commercial Survey Division

Robert Callahan comes on board, bringing commercial building surveying, dilapidations and expert witness capability to the firm.

2019
1,000th Survey Milestone

We celebrate completing our 1,000th survey — a fitting milestone for a firm built entirely on personal recommendations and word-of-mouth referrals.

2025
Continuing to Grow

More than 1,200 surveys completed, 98% client satisfaction, and still delivering the same personal, independent service we started with.

Comparison of a Victorian property before and after survey-informed renovation, showing the impact of professional property surveying advice in East Sussex

Our Accreditations

All our surveyors hold professional accreditations under one or more of: RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) and RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association). All maintain current professional indemnity insurance.

What Our Clients Say

"The team at Crowborough Surveyors are exactly the kind of people you want on your side when buying a home. They know the local property types inside out, explain everything clearly and provide genuinely useful reports. Cannot recommend them highly enough."
Peter M.
Crowborough, East Sussex
"James surveyed a property I was about to buy for what felt like a bargain price. The survey revealed serious structural issues that the estate agent's photos hadn't shown. I pulled out of the purchase and saved myself an absolute fortune. Best money I've ever spent."
Amanda W.
Uckfield, East Sussex
"Sophie was fantastic — thorough, personable and clearly expert in residential valuations. We needed a Help to Buy valuation quickly and she delivered in 48 hours. Everything was explained clearly and the fee was very reasonable. I'd use the team for any future survey."
Thomas C.
Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Work with Crowborough Surveyors

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