GoReport work extensively across the commercial and residential surveying sectors. There are many common challenges surveyors face in both sectors in their pursuit to adopt technology to realise true business benefit.
In this article, we will focus on some specific areas where digital transformation is so important to those performing any type of survey in the residential market from Home Survey Standards, Structural, Timber & Damp specialists etc.
Unlike many industries where the product can only be delivered by large scale capability, the residential survey can be delivered by a wide range of business models from the sole trader, through small to medium sized partnerships to large scale enterprises. Indeed, many residential surveyors find it attractive and fulfilling to exercise their skills and experience under their own direction.
Taking the sole trader first, operating under such a direct relationship between volume of surveys delivered and income capability presents a unique time and pressure challenge. The ability to collect all relevant information at source and to rapidly edit, review and produce a professional output for distribution to the consumer is paramount to not only financial success but a positive and healthy work/life balance. Moving from pen and paper to purpose built digital solutions is key to achieving this.
Larger scale residential surveying practices have no less of a time challenge with delivery of the actual survey. However, another key driver is the volume and hence capacity that lending panels often require their surveying base to deliver in a timely fashion.
In considering digital transformation for these businesses, it is not only the need for extremely efficient data collection, edit & review and publish, but how their chosen enterprise tools work seamlessly and effectively together from business development, through booking, delivery and distribution of the end survey. Whatever systems and processes are in operation, it is key that solutions are able to integrate for optimal data flow.
Regardless of whether the surveyor performing the survey operates as a sole trader or as part of a larger enterprise, the key output is direct to the end consumer and their relationship with this service is also unique. A home is nearly always the biggest investment any of us will ever make with this happening anywhere between 1 and 4 times in a lifetime. With often large gaps between these interactions, the experience is often something that is new and often daunting for the homeowner with various studies showing that many do not avail of a survey at all when purchasing a property.
In order to assist the prospective homeowner in absorbing the relevant content, there are standard published formats, such as the RICS Home Survey Standard in the UK, and many surveyors utilise these outputs. As a founding member of the RICS Tech Affiliate programme and now Tech Partner of the RICS, GoReport have many years of experience in supporting our clients to deliver these formats. However, it is important not to confuse the use of a standard output format with digital transformation. The use of Word Templates, even smart ones, are merely replacing one form of data entry with another.
The real benefits of digital transformation are only realised when the full cycle of preparation, data collection, edit, review and publish are able to flow seamlessly. As with any standard, the final output should look the same to the consumer however surveyors who have already adopted appropriate digital solutions know the journey to produce the report is very different!
Although the RICS guidelines are mandatory, the use of the standard published formats are not. There has been a growing trend towards surveyors differentiating their service lines from other competitors and seeking to add further value to the end consumer through delivery of more bespoke offerings and report formats. This brings us to another major consideration for residential surveyors, flexibility. In transforming your business or service offering digitally, you should be sure that your chosen solutions are flexible and can adopt to your changing needs or evolving business.
GoReport clients have digitally transformed their businesses with adoption of GoReport and have experienced and overcome the challenges we discussed in this article. You can find out more here or read on to the next article ➡️
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