Buying a property? Make sure you know what you’re taking on.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most people make. A professional survey can identify defects, maintenance requirements and potential costs before you commit to the purchase.

Our aim is to help you buy the property with your eyes open, not put you off unnecessarily.

More than a standard survey report

Our Approach How We Help
1. Talk to us before the survey
Understand your concerns and plans
Before inspecting the property, we take the time to understand what you are looking for, any concerns you have and what you are planning for the property.
2. Understand what really matters
Clear advice, not just a list of defects
We explain issues in context, helping you understand what requires attention now, what can wait and what may not be a concern.
3. Talk it through afterwards
Support beyond the report
Once your survey is complete, you can discuss the findings with your surveyor and ask questions about the recommendations and next steps.
4. Make confident property decisions
Practical advice you can rely on
Our aim is to help you understand the property, budget for future work and make informed decisions with confidence.

Our Services

RICS Level 1 Survey (Condition Report)

This is a basic level of survey, suitable for conventional residential properties built within the last 30 years.

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RICS Level 2 Survey (HomeBuyer Report)

This is more detailed and suitable for residential properties built within the last 100 years.

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RICS Level 3 Survey (Building Survey)

This is much more comprehensive, with more specific detail and suitable for all types of residential property.

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Historic Building Surveys

We are the only company in this area that offers this additional level of survey. This is the best choice for old properties, including stone, timber-framed and thatched properties as well as for listed buildings.

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Homeowners’ Survey

We also offer Homeowners’ Surveys for people who want to know the condition of their own property to help with maintenance and avoid problems as well as Homeowners’ Pre-Sale Surveys for people who are looking to market their property and want to avoid issues that might come to light and cause delays and concerns.

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Defects Diagnosis Reports

If you are concerned about an issue with your own property, such as dampness or disrepair, we can provide a tailor made report giving you advice as to what needs to be done.

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Party Wall Agreements

If you are proposing works to your property that may affect a neighbour or if you are a neighbour and have been served with a Party Wall Notice we can advise you and act as your appointed surveyor.

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Commercial Building Surveys

We also carry out comprehensive surveys of commercial buildings, from shops and offices to industrial units.

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Schedules of Condition

If you are taking a lease on a commercial building, we can help make sure you and the landlord are aware of its condition before you start.

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Gowers Surveyors is led by Paul Gowers, a Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Building Engineer with over 25 years’ experience providing independent surveying advice to residential and commercial property owners across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas.

With extensive knowledge of local properties, from historic buildings and period homes to modern developments, Paul combines technical expertise with a practical understanding of the challenges property owners face. His detailed approach helps clients make informed decisions when buying, maintaining or planning work on their properties.

Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), a Chartered Building Engineer, Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (FCABE) and a RICS Registered Valuer, ensuring every survey is delivered with a high level of professionalism and expertise.

A Practical and Pragmatic Approach to Surveying and Building Diagnosis

Speak to our experts today to find out how we can help

Historic Tudor-style black-and-white timber-framed building on a city street, showcasing architectural heritage relevant for property survey and conservation studies

Specialists in Historic Building Surveys

Paul Gowers specialises in Historic Building Surveys. If you are thinking of purchasing an old house, listed building or period property, our comprehensive Survey Report will provide all the advice you need to make an informed and confident decision. We will explain how an old building works, what you can and can’t do to a listed building, how your house needs to ‘breathe’ and why it probably doesn’t need a damp proof course.

This report is designed to help you buy a period property, fully informed, eyes open and knowing what you are taking on. We will talk it through with you before and after the survey, help put everything into context so as not to scare you off unnecessarily and recommend appropriate action before you buy and after you move in.

Client Testimonials

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Simon Gledhill
6 November 2025
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Absolutely phenomenal! Paul completed a level 3 historic building survey on a large barn conversion for me. I honestly don't think I have ever been more impressed by any proffessional in any field! I was told by the estate agent that he has a reputation for providing next level detail... and that proved to be correct! His knowledge and wisdom are extraordinary. The report (supplied both in pdf and very impressive bound hardcover book) was 132 pages. It included very relevant advice about how to care for the building, adjusted to the specific context. But 75% of the content was describing the condition of the building and what work was necessary to rectify defects. The report was easy to read and written in plain English and with photos to illustrate. Both before and after the survey, I spoke at length with Paul on the phone - he was very patient with all my silly questions! We haven't yet decided if we are going to progress with this purchase, but I can certainly say that if we pursue another house instead, I won't use anyone other than Paul to survey it!
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Mark Long
7 January 2025
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If you are looking for an excellent, knowledgeable and helpful surveyor I wouldn't look any further! I researched the local market and Paul's name came up a number of times; I then spoke to his office (Catherine who is also great) and arranged a pre-survey meeting. Form that point on it has been seamless. I've bought 15+ houses and Paul is by far the best and most comprehensive surveyor I have used. You get what you pay for - I bought a grade II listed house and that's his sweet spot, so if you want to know a great deal about the house, what works are needed (and ideas on costs & recommendations) and also how to care for it afterwards, Paul is an excellent choice. Highly recommended.
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Estella Todisco
6 September 2024
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I can’t thank Paul Gowers enough for the work he did on a party wall dispute. He was professional, responsive and personable.
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Ben Green
24 May 2023
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Having used Paul's services for a survey on our upcoming listed building purchase I can assure you that you will get the most thorough, professional and helpful service that you could wish for. The report tallied over 100 pages covering all aspects of the house, walls, frames, windows, roof space, drainage, outbuildings, render, roof tiles, water tanks, electrics, insulation, listed building consent, health and safety and much more. Not only that but Paul's report also told us how to best maintain the house going forwards, using what materials and how often things need doing. This was most definitely worth every penny and has allowed us to make an informed decision on the purchase going forwards. A+ rating from me!
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James Marron
19 May 2023
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I could not recommend Paul Gowers highly enough. Excellent service and a very comprehensive, clear report. An extremely knowledgeable and helpful professional.
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Brian Scull
15 September 2021
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I have just had a Survey completed by Gowers of Stamford. I have to say that the team there are superb. From the first contact with Catherine who was courteous, professional and helpful and who also arranged everything. To the surveyor Paul who was marvellous, the report was clear and well presented and easy to understand. Paul was extremely helpful and prepared to spend time discussing all the sections and any issues i had.He was very professional and a pleasure to deal with. I don’t normally do revues but felt compelled on this occasion because they deserve enormous praise and i would thoroughly recommend them.
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Cameron Bauldry
7 July 2021
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I needed a building survey doing at short notice after red flags were raised once receiving searches and the sellers paperwork back. Unfortunately Gowers and everyone else I checked with were all booked up for months however Paul took time out of his busy day to speak to me, listen to my situation and provide me with some fantastic advice which I very much appreciate. He is very knowledgeable and the advice given has helped me in the next steps of my house purchase. Thank you again.
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Neil Crees
18 March 2021
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The value of using Paul, a local well known professional, was huge. I received immediate personal feedback allowing me to take timely action to avoid what could have been an expensive mistake.
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Sam Paul
10 December 2019
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We engaged Gowers to carry out a building survey for an old residential property with multiple issues. Paul Gowers was excellent in his response time to our questions and the level of professional reporting. The service we received was reassuring for us and we would certainly use Gowers again.
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Mandy Ingram
6 June 2018
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We recently used Gowers Surveyors for a building project involving the Party Wall Act. It was applicable on both boundaries and Paul acted as Agreed Surveyor on one side and Building Owner Surveyor on the other. The build itself was fairly straight forward, but the Party Wall process was definitely not... Paul is the consummate professional. Knowledgeable, reliable, calm and level headed he always made himself available whether in person or at the end of a phone or email to ourselves and our contractors. The project lasted 8 months and he continued to deliver the highest level of professionalism and advice throughout. Cannot recommend him highly enough!

Areas We Cover

We cover a wide range of areas and have years of knowledge of building & development in the surrounding towns.

Grantham

Sleaford

Melton Mowbray

Spalding

Wisbech

Fenland

Corby

Kettering

Huntingdon

St. Neots

Ely

and surrounding areas

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will you tell me whether a defect is genuinely serious, or just normal for an older property?

A survey is about understanding a property in context, not simply listing every issue found. With experience across traditional, historic and modern properties, we explain whether defects are likely to be a genuine concern, expected for the age and type of building, or something that requires further attention.

Where appropriate, we will highlight the urgency of repairs and help you understand what needs addressing now and what can be monitored over time.

If my survey finds problems, does that mean I should pull out of the purchase?
Can I speak to my surveyor after I receive the report?
Can a survey help me renegotiate the purchase price?
How do you know whether cracks or movement are something to worry about?
I’m buying a house built before 1919. Is a standard Building Survey enough?
Can I tell you about specific concerns before you inspect the property?

Interested in our services?

Request a free no obligation quote today