Terms of Business

Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP
RICS Chartered Building Surveyors & Property Consultants

Last updated: November 2025

1. Definitions

In these Terms of Business:

• “The Firm”, “we”, “us” or “our” refers to Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP.
• “The Client” or “you” refers to the person or organisation instructing the Firm.
• “Report” includes any written advice, document, drawing, valuation, or correspondence prepared by the Firm.
• “Services” means the professional work agreed in our written Fee Proposal or Conditions of Engagement.
• “RICS” refers to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

2. About Us

Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP (“the Firm”) is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales (Company No. OC428307) and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the provision of surveying services.

Registered Address: Eastbourne House, 2 Saxbys Lane, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6DN
Trading Address: 4a Shawlands Court, Newchapel Road, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6BL
Telephone: 01342 833448
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Firm’s RICS Responsible Principal is Michael J. Redmond BSc (Hons) MRICS.

Professional Indemnity Insurance is held with International General Insurance Company (UK) Ltd, with a limit of indemnity of £1,000,000 per claim plus unlimited reinstatements.

3. Our Services

We provide professional services across the following core areas:

• Building Surveys and Home Surveys (RICS Levels 2 and 3)
• Valuations (for private, matrimonial and probate purposes)
• Architectural Design and Building Regulation Applications
• Project Management and Contract Administration
• Party Wall matters (under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996)
• Boundary, Defect and Condition Reports
• Expert Witness reports (in accordance with CPR 35 and RICS guidance)

Each service is delivered in accordance with RICS standards, relevant legislation, and the specific written proposal or confirmation of instruction issued to the client.

4. Engagement and Scope

Engagement of our services constitutes acceptance of these Terms of Business, together with any project-specific Fee Proposal or Conditions of Engagement issued by us.

Our scope of service is defined within the relevant proposal document. Any variation to the agreed scope must be confirmed in writing and may be subject to additional fees.

We act with due skill, care, and diligence in accordance with professional standards reasonably expected of a competent RICS Chartered Surveyor.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise, our services are provided for the exclusive use of the named client and shall not be relied upon by any third party without our written consent.

5. Client Responsibilities

The Client must provide full, accurate, and timely information relevant to the instruction and ensure access to the property or site when required. The Client is responsible for obtaining all consents, approvals, and information not expressly included within the Firm’s scope of services. The Firm will not be liable for delays, additional costs, or inaccuracies arising from incomplete or incorrect information provided by the Client.

6. Fees and Payment

Fees are as agreed in our written proposal or confirmation of instruction. Unless stated otherwise:

• All fees are exclusive of VAT, which will be charged at the prevailing rate.
• Disbursements (such as Land Registry fees, statutory fees, or specialist reports) will be charged at cost.
• Payment terms are 14 days from the date of invoice, unless otherwise stated.
• We reserve the right to charge interest at 1% per month on overdue sums.
• For survey services, full payment must be received before the survey report is released.
• For architectural, party wall, project management, and other professional services, payments are made in accordance with the staged payment schedule set out in the individual Fee Proposal or Terms of Engagement issued to the client.
• For hourly-rate services, time is recorded in 15-minute increments.

We reserve the right to withhold reports, drawings, or formal documentation until payment has been received in full in accordance with these terms.

7. Schedule of Hourly Rates

Unless otherwise stated in a fixed-fee proposal, time-based services are charged at the following hourly rates (exclusive of VAT):

Time is recorded in 15-minute increments, and all disbursements (such as travel, printing, Land Registry copies, or statutory fees) are charged at cost. Hourly rates are reviewed annually and may be adjusted with reasonable notice.

8. Timeframe for Services

We will use all reasonable endeavours to complete our services within the indicative timescales set out below. These periods commence from the agreed instruction date, subject to access, the timely provision of information, and external dependencies such as statutory or third-party approvals.

Please note that these are standard working timescales and may vary depending on project complexity, client response times, and external factors beyond our control.

Surveying Services

• RICS Valuation – 5 to 7 working days
• RICS Home Survey Level 2 (HomeBuyer) – 5 to 7 working days
• RICS Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey) – 5 to 7 working days
• Asbestos / Defect Inspection & Report – 5 to 7 working days
• Schedule of Condition / Dilapidation Report – 7 to 10 working days
• Detailed Boundary Report – 10 to 14 working days
• Historic / Listed Building Report – 20 to 30 working days

Architectural Services

• Planning Drawings (Measured Survey to Planning Issue) – 15 to 20 working days
• Building Regulations Drawings – 15 to 25 working days
• Specification / Tender Documentation – 20 to 30 working days

Party Wall & Legal Services

• Party Wall Notice & Schedule of Condition – 7 to 10 working days
• Party Wall Award – 4 to 8 weeks

We will advise promptly if any timescale is likely to be exceeded and agree an updated delivery date with the Client where necessary.

9. Cancellation and Termination

Clients may cancel an instruction prior to commencement of work without charge.

After work has commenced, the client remains liable for all fees and disbursements incurred up to the date of cancellation, plus an administration fee of 7.5% of the total payable at that point.

For survey inspections, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for cancellation. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur 100% of the agreed fee.

We may suspend or terminate services in cases of non-payment, material breach, or where continued performance becomes impracticable (e.g. lack of access, conflict of interest, or statutory constraints).

10. Limitations of Inspection and Advice

Unless otherwise stated, inspections are non-invasive and limited to accessible areas at the time of visit.

We do not:

• Move furniture, lift floor coverings, or disturb fixtures.
• Undertake specialist tests of services (electrical, plumbing, gas, etc.).
• Provide environmental, asbestos, or contamination assessments unless expressly agreed.

Reports represent a professional opinion based on the conditions observed and information reasonably available at the time of inspection.

11. Architectural & Design Services

Our architectural and design work is undertaken in accordance with RICS professional standards and guidance notes, ensuring that all drawings, specifications, and documentation meet the requirements of the Building Regulations and relevant statutory authorities.

• One major amendment (up to 8 hours) is included prior to submission; additional design time is charged at our standard hourly rate.
• The client is responsible for obtaining title information, boundary data, and statutory consents unless otherwise agreed.
• Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP is not liable for the performance of contractors, third-party consultants, or suppliers.
• Copyright in all drawings, designs, and documents remains the property of the Firm. Clients receive a non-transferable licence to use the material solely for the project for which it was prepared.

12. Party Wall Appointments

Appointments under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 are statutory in nature. Once appointed, a Party Wall Surveyor acts independently and cannot be dismissed except by court order or resignation in accordance with the Act.

The Surveyor’s duty is to act impartially and in accordance with the RICS Party Wall Legislation and Procedure Guidance Note (latest edition).

13. Expert Witness and Boundary Reports

Where we are instructed as Expert Witnesses, we comply with the Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 and the RICS Practice Statement: Surveyors Acting as Expert Witnesses (2023).

Our overriding duty is to the Court. Reports are prepared impartially and in accordance with RICS standards.

14. Conflicts of Interest

We act in accordance with the RICS professional statement on conflicts of interest (latest edition). We will not accept an instruction where a conflict exists or may arise unless it can be properly managed with the informed written consent of all relevant parties.

15. Confidentiality and Data Protection

We treat all client information as confidential and process data in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

We may share client information where required by law or with relevant professional advisers acting on the client’s behalf.

A copy of our Privacy Policy is available upon request or via our website.

16. Retention of Documents

We retain project files for a minimum of six years from the date of completion of our services. After that period, we may securely destroy them unless the Client requests otherwise in writing within that timeframe.

17. Communication and Delivery

Reports and correspondence may be sent electronically. By instructing us, you consent to receiving unencrypted documents by email unless you specifically request encryption prior to issue. We accept no liability for interception or unauthorised access to electronic communications beyond our reasonable control.

18. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any delay or failure in performance of our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to fire, flood, epidemic, strike, or government action.

19. Liability and Insurance

Our total aggregate liability to any client, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, shall not exceed £1,000,000 or the amount recoverable under our professional indemnity insurance policy, whichever is greater.

We shall not be liable for:

• Indirect or consequential loss (including loss of profit, business, or goodwill).
• Defects, failures, or inaccuracies in materials, workmanship, or data provided by others.
• Any claim brought more than six years after completion of our services.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence, fraud, or fraudulent misrepresentation.

20. Copyright

All documents, drawings, and reports produced by Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP are our intellectual property and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose without written consent.

21. Professional Conduct

Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and abides by its Rules of Conduct, ensuring integrity, transparency, and accountability in all professional dealings.

22. Third-Party Rights

No person other than the Client may rely on any report, advice, or document provided by the Firm without our express written consent. The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to this agreement.

23. Consumer Rights

Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer. Further information about consumer rights and RICS regulation is available at www.rics.org/regulation

24. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Business are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, and any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

In the event of an unresolved dispute, either party may refer the matter to RICS Dispute Resolution Service for independent determination.

25. Complaints Procedure

As a RICS-regulated firm, we operate a formal Complaints Handling Procedure.
A copy of this procedure is available upon request or can be found on our website.

Should you remain dissatisfied after our internal review, you may refer your complaint to:

The Property Ombudsman (TPO)
Milford House, 43-55 Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2BP
Telephone: 01722 333306
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.tpos.co.uk

The Property Ombudsman provides a free, independent, and impartial redress service for unresolved complaints.

26. Contact and Notices

All correspondence and formal notices should be sent to Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP at 4a Shawlands Court, Newchapel Road, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6BL, or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Electronic communications will be deemed received on the date sent unless a delivery failure is received.

27. Variation

No amendment or variation to these Terms shall be valid unless confirmed in writing by a Partner of Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP.

28. Sustainability Commitment

No amendment or variation to these Terms shall be valid unless confirmed in writing by a Partner of Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP.

29. Acceptance of Terms

By instructing Redmond & Associates (South East) LLP, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Business, which form part of the Firm’s standard Conditions of Engagement.