This episode includes discussion of suicide and difficult experiences from Dan's childhood. Please take care while listening, particularly if these subjects may be difficult for you.

What happens when a difficult past becomes part of what makes you better at surveying?

Dan Knowles, founder and managing director of Websters Surveyors, shares the very unconventional path that brought him into surveying, from growing up in difficult circumstances and experiencing homelessness to building a growing residential surveying firm. He also opens up about aphantasia, the way it shapes how he thinks and works, and why he sees it as a “secret power”. We then get into AI, automation and the future of surveying, including how Websters is using technology to cut repetitive admin while keeping professional judgement firmly in the hands of surveyors.

A very honest conversation about resilience, surveying, AI and building a firm without losing sight of quality.

What We Cover

• Dan's route from a law degree into surveying
• His move from commercial to residential surveying
• The human side of residential property work
• Childhood, homelessness and resilience
• Aphantasia and how it affects memory and visualisation
• Designing information around the client journey
• AI and automation within a surveying firm
• APIs, desktop research and property data
• The limits of AI when assessing property defects
• AI-generated questions from clients
• How people are increasingly using AI to find surveyors
• Recruitment, training and building a strong surveying culture

Guest Links

• Dan Knowles - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-knowles-frics-821bbb22/
• Websters Surveyors - https://websterssurveyors.co.uk/

Useful Links

• Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/

Guest Bio

Dan Knowles is the founder and managing director of Websters Surveyors. He is a chartered surveyor, RICS registered valuer and RICS expert panel member, with a career spanning commercial and residential surveying. After initially qualifying as a commercial surveyor, Dan moved into residential surveying and has since built Websters Surveyors into a growing firm working across residential surveys, valuations, leasehold reform and compulsory purchase work. He is particularly interested in technology and innovation, and has developed a range of AI and automation tools within the business to reduce repetitive administration and improve the client journey. Dan is also passionate about training, company culture and maintaining quality as the firm grows.

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