SDL Surveying Avis 

Today we received our Level 2 Home Survey, conducted by Paul Fieldson, and we have been extremely impressed with both the quality of the service and the depth of the report provided.

Paul was professional, knowledgeable and approachable throughout the process. During his visit to the property he inspired confidence that we had chosen the right surveyor for the job, taking the time to explain his approach and answer our questions clearly.

The final report was thorough, detailed and easy to understand, highlighting both areas requiring attention and the overall condition of the property in a balanced and professional manner.

We would highly recommend Paul Fieldson and SDL Surveying to anyone seeking a home survey and would not hesitate to use their services again in the future.

Recommending SDL for survey

Booked in a valuation with SDL for a 1 bed flat purchased 18 months ago through home move, they down valued it by over £21,000 and the comparisons were all old flats in a less desirable area nearby, no real comparison to the flat I am trying to sell which is situated on the edge of the town in a large new build estate. Very disappointed, the surveyor arrived, didn’t identify himself or introduce himself, just looked around for a few minutes, took measurements and photos and then left within 5 minutes after showing up an hour and a half after the 2 hour slot. Would not recommend.

My daughter’s buyer’s lender commissioned SDL to carry out a mortgage survey. The surveyor valued her property (a well-kept end terrace) at £0. My daughter subsequently lost her buyer. The surveyor claimed both ownership AND rental in the area was ‘poor’ (clearly everyone who lives locally are squatters then…). Identical properties in the same row sell and rent well - there is non-disputable evidence of this. Raised a complaint with SDL directly (using the customer relations link mentioned by someone else in this thread). Was told politely to not contact them again as we didn’t have any authority to do so. Sellers are losing their buyers due to inaccurate and ignorant surveying, and will continue to do so while incompetent surveyors are protected by their employers.

Thank you for your service, you all did my job very quickly and efficiently thanks

The SDL gentleman( forgot the name!) Is such a genial person, who went beyond his call of duty, to assist me in checking out a block drain and making recommendation for way to sort it out. I would surely recommend his service any day.

Surveyed my house on behalf of the buyers, reported it needed a Mundic test, this area in question was built in 2006 from the foundations up i have all documentation including the completion cert from the Council. Mundic was in the 1950`S buyers have withdrawn their offer as this unnessary test would cost another £700. Thanks. YOUR REPLY IS COPY & PASTE THE DAMAGED OF SALE HAS BEEN DONE THE IGNORANCE IS SHOCKING.I WILL REPORT YOUR COMPANY LOOK AT YOUR NEGATIVES MANY HAVE EXPRESSED TOTAL DISPARE AT YOUR SURVEYORS INCOMPETANCE.I ASKED FOR THEIR RICS REGISTRATION NUMBER THEY WOULDNT SUPPLY IT, WHAT ARE THEY HIDING FROM ?????????????

If the SAS were going to use a surveying company to remortgage Stirling lines they’d use SDL Surveying.
They sent a seasoned trooper who stormed my semi going through the building like the lads did in operation Nimrod. Professional, quick and got the job done. He who uses SDL, Wins!

Really great and professional. Survey was done professionally and with integrity and felt comfortable with the experience..five stars.

Is it me, or does this demonstrate horrific customer service??
Background:
I waited 10 days for a valuer to attend as it was earliest appointment that could be offered. Already cutting things too fine for my remortgage. Today at 1230 I heard that he had not turned up for the 12 o'clock appointment. Checking with the mortgage provider I was told they cancelled at 10.54 having not been able to gain access. . I now understand they should have issued a 'time slot' yesterday by text or email, but didn't.

Agent:
hi, it looks like the agent was meant to come back to us to confirm the tenants contact number but as no body came back to us no text msg was sent out. The valuer will not be able to re-attend today as has moved on out of the area and is to far for them to come back to.

Me: you had the agent's contact number. that's who went to attend

Agent:
Okay well what I have down here differs from that we had to go straight to the property and that we were meeting the tenant and that the number was to be confirmed.

Me: The most helpful thing would be to get it re-arranged asap. If they're not available now. It sounds like a misunderstanding. The agent always planned to attend. They had let me kow they were 'informing the tenant' rather than that the tenant would meet the valuer there. Literally we have never relied on the tenant before so would not think that was what they meant. Regardless, disaster for me. How do we sort?

Agent:
The next dates i have are Tue 9th Jun, Wed 10th Jun, Thu 11th Jun, Fri 12th Jun. If something is to come up we will call to the agents or yourself to move this forward but which of these would work best?

Me: (I appreciate you need to protect your company/system/colleagues, etc, but hope you can accept that given there were some contact details provided, it would have been very helpful to use them and has become a nightmare purely because zero communication happened)

(various other messages, none of which addressed the above, purely practical re dates and phone numbers, all of which the company already had)

Agent:
Perfect i have added both those numbers so the surveyor can contact them 30 mins before arrival. i will also have the text sent to both yourself and letting agent with the timeslot for the 9th.

Me: Thank you. Do you have my number?
Agent:
yes i have it as (correct number)
Me: (And if you do, do you think it might have been good if someone had used it at any point, eg yesterday or today?)
Me: Yes, that's correct number. I can't emphasise how much of an impact this mess up has had on me.
The financial impact of the time delay is huge
Agent:
Is there anything else I can help you with?
Me: I'd like you to apologise on behalf of SDL for the mess up. Even if you don't mean it, it's basic customer service.

And finally, the heartfelt apology arrives:

Agent:
I am sorry for the inconvenience caused if you do want to take this further you can contact (email), who will aim to respond within 48 working hours.

Quick, efficient and friendly service.

Warning of the call came on time and behaved in a responsible, efficient and capable manner.

Friendly, helpful and respected our property.

Very friendly. Said thank you for accommodating him. 10 min job, in and out. Couldn't fault him 👍

Based on my recent experience, I would be very cautious when using SDL Surveying.

The valuation report provided showed a lack of clear understanding of the technical construction details of the property. Important aspects of the building appear to have been misinterpreted, particularly around the wall construction and extensions.

This led to an inaccurate valuation outcome, which had serious consequences for the mortgage application, including delays, additional costs, and unnecessary stress during the purchase process.

In my opinion, the inspection did not reflect a sufficiently thorough or technically informed assessment of the property.

Given the impact this has had, I would advise other buyers to ensure they obtain independent verification or clarification where SDL Surveying is involved, as the report may not always reflect the true condition or construction of the property.

Had a survey carried out on a property I was looking to purchase by Paul Fieldson, very knowledgeable and approachable, he was a great help and offered advice.

Lovely guy, very pleasant and polite. Attended on time, respectful of our home and very efficient.