What does it really take to scale a residential surveying practice when you rarely get a second chance with a client?

In this episode of The Surveying Shift, host Louis Blaxill sits down with Lucie López Walker, Director at Walker Dunn and Director at Jargon, to explore the unique challenges of growing a residential surveying firm. From building infrastructure and processes from scratch to handling high stakes complaints early in the journey, Lucie shares the real story behind scaling sustainably in a one shot industry.

If you believe the future of surveying lies in smarter workflows, stronger systems and confident leadership, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

Key Takeaways

• Residential surveying is uniquely challenging because most clients are one time customers, you are starting over every time
• Without infrastructure and processes in place, growth will stall long term
• Standard operating procedures create consistency, which builds trust and reputation
• Building referral networks through estate agents and mortgage advisors remains critical in residential
• Early complaints can shape stronger reporting standards and improve risk management
• Clear, structured report language makes Ombudsman complaints far easier to defend
• Scaling successfully requires operational support and business development, not just more surveyors
• Culture becomes harder to protect as firms grow, recruitment is one of the biggest ongoing challenges
• Report writing software and standardised phrases enable faster onboarding and consistent quality
• AI will not replace surveyors, but it will reshape how reports are delivered and how value is added

Connect with Lucie López Walker:
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Is AI really coming for your job, or is it just misunderstood?

In this episode of The Surveying Shift, Louis Blaxill is joined by Nina Young FCA, CEO of Surveyors UK, to explore how AI is impacting the surveying profession. From client expectations to compliance challenges, Nina breaks down the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into daily workflows. This is a must-listen for any surveyor feeling overwhelmed, curious, or skeptical about the role of artificial intelligence in their future. You’ll walk away with clarity, strategy, and a fresh perspective on what it really means to “work smarter.”

Whether you’re new to digital tools or already experimenting with AI, this episode gives you the real-world context surveyors need right now.

Key Takeaways
• AI is not a replacement for surveyors, but a tool to enhance judgment
• The new AI standards offer essential guardrails but also introduce interpretation risks
• Surveyors are already using AI in report writing, proofreading, and defect detection
• Security and data compliance remain major concerns, especially with generative tools
• Clients are already using AI to interpret reports, surveyors need to get ahead of this
• Interactive, AI-powered reports could improve client understanding and communication
• AI can support consistency and reduce missed details through QA automation
• Skepticism within surveying is often due to misunderstanding, not real risk
• Training and upskilling are essential to close the knowledge gap
• Surveyors must develop both tech awareness and human communication skills

Best Moments

00:02:23. “Everybody's at different stages. And I think the challenge will be surveyors trying to understand the standard.”
00:03:28. “Grammarly is AI, but do you disclose that? That ambiguity could be a compliance burden.”
00:05:24. “There are times to use it, and times not to. Being intentional is key.”
00:06:02. “Professional judgment cannot be replaced by AI, nor should it be.”
00:08:01. “Surveyors are using AI to critique and audit their own reports.”
00:10:18. “AI is now being used to identify defects via computer vision, faster, deeper, tireless.”
00:13:13. “Everyone’s time poor. Clients just want quick answers, what does this mean to me?”
00:17:52. “GoReport users are freeing up time for more human, client-focused conversations.”
00:33:16. “Why not have something that tells you before it goes out, you maybe need to put that in.”

Learn more about GoReport: https://www.goreport.com

Stay ahead of industry change, explore digital tools, and hear stories from leaders shaping the future of surveying.

📐 New episodes of The Surveying Shift drop every month.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goreport/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goreport/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoReportSurvey

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What if the real threat to surveyors isn’t AI... but ignoring it?

In this episode of The Surveying Shift, Louis is joined by James Brook FRICS, CEO and Founder of Novello, one of the UK’s fastest-growing residential surveying firms. James unpacks how AI is already transforming the surveying landscape, from automating report writing to reimagining customer experience. He shares Novello’s vision for a more human, consultative approach, powered by the right tech.

If you're a surveyor wondering how to stay relevant, competitive, and indispensable in an AI-driven world, this is the episode for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• AI is already being used in photo recognition and voice note transcription for surveys
• Novello is building an in-house AI app with an interactive client portal
• The traditional PDF report is becoming obsolete for client needs
• AI will automate admin, freeing up surveyors to build stronger client relationships
• Many surveyors fear AI due to job loss concerns, but it's also a chance to elevate their role
• A better client experience means more interaction, not just a better document
• Surveyors should focus on relationship-building and soft skills to future-proof their careers
• AI tools must still be backed by RICS-qualified oversight for quality assurance
• Firms that rely on volume and low fees are most vulnerable to AI disruption
• Investing in relationships and human connection is Novello’s biggest priority for 2025

BEST MOMENTS:

00:01:45. “We always had a clear vision that we wanted to grow something big.”
00:03:10. “We think we’re probably the second or third largest home survey firm in the UK.”
00:04:00. “I know Goldcrest was one of the leaders in the low-fee model.”
00:05:15. “We’ve upped their fees 20%... all our surveyors now have drones.”
00:08:50. “I had the guy who trained me say, now you’re giving it all away with AI.”
00:13:20. “We’re building our own AI app and interactive client portal.”
00:14:50. “We live in a TikTok society. People don’t want pages and pages of data.”
00:19:14. “Our dev thinks it’ll get to a stage where you can walk around with video and need minimal input.”
00:47:18. “Your network, your relationships, your soft skills... these are non-replaceable.”

Learn more about GoReport: https://www.goreport.com

Stay ahead of industry change, explore digital tools, and hear stories from leaders shaping the future of surveying.

📐 New episodes of The Surveying Shift drop every month.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goreport/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goreport/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoReportSurvey

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