Senior Chartered Building Surveyor Expert

An excellent opportunity for an MRICS Senior Chartered Building Surveyor to join a leading technical expert witness team, working on building fabric defects, causation reporting, construction disputes and insurance claims.

This role offers specialist training, high-profile instructions and international exposure.

The position is well suited to candidates with established Expert Witness experience, as well as those seeking to transition into this specialist area.

Project Details

This Senior Chartered Building Surveyor Expert will be instructed on a wide range of building projects and assets, supporting defect investigations, construction claims and construction dispute resolution work across the UK and internationally.

Responsibilities and Duties

This is a specialist Building Surveyor / Expert Witness position, focused on forensic defect investigation and independent reporting rather than traditional consultancy Building Surveyor services.

• Investigate building fabric defects and failures, including intrusive/non-intrusive surveys and evidence gathering
• Analyse defect causation and contributing factors, including workmanship, design, materials and maintenance
• Assess compliance with relevant UK regulations, standards and industry guidance
• Produce clear, well-structured technical reports for non-technical readers (including legal audiences)
• Support expert witness instructions on construction disputes and construction insurance claims (UK and international)
• Review and interpret project documentation including drawings, specifications, programmes, photographs, site records and correspondence
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary technical expert team, sharing findings and peer-reviewing outputs where needed
• Attend site inspections, meetings with solicitors/counsel and other stakeholders as required
• Maintain independence, objectivity and robust documentation standards suitable for dispute environments

Desired Skills and Experience

This Senior Chartered Building Surveyor Expert role suits a candidate with deep building pathology knowledge and strong written communication, who enjoys investigative work and can explain technical findings in a clear, balanced way.

• Demonstrable experience investigating building fabric defects and understanding construction methods and failure mechanisms
• Strong knowledge of UK industry standards and compliance requirements
• Previous exposure to defect analysis reporting, construction dispute resolution, and/or construction insurance claims is beneficial (but motivated candidates transitioning into expert witness jobs will be considered)
• Excellent technical report writing skills, with the ability to present evidence-based conclusions clearly
• A “detective mindset” to identify root cause and contributory factors, and to test hypotheses logically
• Comfortable working on complex, high-value disputes with multiple parties and tight deadlines
• Professional confidence and integrity to operate as an independent expert (training and mentoring provided)
• Willingness to travel occasionally across the UK and potentially internationally

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• MRICS Chartered Building Surveyor (essential)
• Degree-qualified in a relevant built environment / surveying discipline (essential)
• Circa 10+ years post-degree experience as a guide (Senior Surveyor / Associate level)
• Additional qualifications in construction law, disputes, forensic investigation or expert witness practice (desirable – support/CPD available)

Employing Company Overview and Profile

Maxim Recruitment is acting as the recruitment consultancy for a highly respected specialist technical expert witness and forensic consulting employer.

The business is known for delivering robust, evidence-led opinions on complex building defects, causation, compliance and associated loss, supporting construction claims and dispute resolution processes.

You will join a multidisciplinary team environment with strong mentoring, structured development and access to advanced technical and legal training, working on high-profile UK and international matters.

A full client overview will be given to shortlisted candidates.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

• Competitive Salary
• Private Medical Cover
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Hybrid home/office working (South of England with regular access to a London City office)
• Mentoring from industry-leading technical experts
• Continuous professional development, including advanced legal/technical training
• Opportunity to work on high-profile disputes and complex investigation
• Potential for occasional international travel (subject to instructions)