More Than a Badge: What RICS Registration Means for Our Clients
- Richard SAVAGE
- Jan 16
- 4 min read
How professional standards, accountability, and ongoing development protect your property decisions.
What RICS Registration Really Means When You’re Choosing a Surveyor
I’m proud to share a significant professional milestone. I’m now AssocRICS, and Skyline Property Surveys is officially a RICS-registered firm, regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
However, this isn’t just about new letters after my name or a logo on the website. Instead, it’s about standards, accountability, and giving clients even greater confidence in the advice they receive.
So, let’s break down what this actually means, in plain English.
What becoming AssocRICS really means
Becoming AssocRICS is formal recognition that my experience, competence, and professional judgement meet the standards set by RICS. In other words, it reflects years spent working across construction, inspection, and surveying roles, now assessed against a globally recognised framework.
A practical standard, not a theoretical one
On a day-to-day level, AssocRICS reinforces how I already work.
That means inspections are:
Methodical and evidence-led
Objective, not influenced by external pressure
Fully accountable, with clear professional responsibility
In addition, it places a structured obligation on ongoing learning. Through formal CPD, I’m required to continually update my technical knowledge so advice remains current, relevant, and robust.
Most importantly, it formalises something I’ve always taken seriously: acting in the best interests of clients, even when the findings aren’t always easy to hear.
What RICS registration means for Skyline Property Surveys
While AssocRICS recognises me as an individual, becoming a RICS-registered firm is about how the business operates.
More than a badge on the website
RICS registration demonstrates that Skyline Property Surveys works to recognised professional standards at every level, not just during inspections.
For clients, this brings added reassurance because RICS-regulated firms must have:
Appropriate professional indemnity insurance
A clear and transparent complaints-handling procedure
Systems aligned with the RICS Rules of Conduct
As a result, transparency, accountability, and trust are built into the structure of the business, not added as an afterthought.
A clearer professional framework
From a practice point of view, RICS registration provides a consistent framework for how instructions are handled. Decisions around scope, reporting, limitations, and risk are guided by established professional standards, helping ensure clarity and consistency across every project.
What RICS-regulated firms stand for
RICS firms are expected to demonstrate:
Integrity and independence in their advice
Competence supported by training and CPD
Clear, accessible communication
Professional accountability through governance
In practice, this approach directly shapes how inspections are carried out and how findings are reported across all surveys undertaken by Skyline Property Surveys.
Why this matters to you as a client
Property decisions are often some of the largest financial commitments people ever make. Therefore, knowing your surveyor is AssocRICS and part of a RICS-registered firm adds an extra layer of confidence.
Whether you’re commissioning an inspection on a new purchase or seeking professional advice on a property concern, you can be reassured that:
Inspections are carried out systematically
Findings are explained clearly, without unnecessary jargon
Advice is grounded in recognised professional and ethical standards
In short, you’re not just getting a report. You’re getting advice backed by a global professional body.
Whether you’re buying your first home, investing in a rental property, or moving into a brand-new build, this level of professional oversight helps you make informed decisions with confidence.
Looking ahead: this is just the next chapter
This milestone isn’t an endpoint. It’s part of a longer, very intentional professional journey.
Continued learning and development
RICS places strong emphasis on continual improvement, which closely aligns with how I want Skyline Property Surveys to grow: steadily, ethically, and with quality at the forefront.
The next major step is undertaking an MSc in Building Surveying. This will allow me to deepen my technical knowledge across:
Building pathology
Construction technology
Professional practice
Legal and regulatory frameworks
Crucially, this learning will be applied directly to real-world surveying work, strengthening the clarity and reliability of the advice I provide.
The long-term goal: Chartered status
Beyond the MSc, the clear objective is Chartered status (MRICS). Achieving chartership represents the highest level of professional recognition within RICS and reflects advanced competence, sound judgement, and a proven commitment to professional standards.
Taken together, the next three to four years are mapped out: MSc study, continued professional development, and progression toward chartership. It’s a significant commitment, but one I see as a long-term investment in standards, credibility, and client confidence.
What this means going forward
For Skyline Property Surveys, this path means continuous improvement and a business that evolves alongside best practice.
For clients, it means reassurance that the advice you receive today, and in the future, is backed by an ongoing commitment to professionalism, ethics, and technical excellence.
And ultimately, that’s what this milestone is really about.
If you’d like to understand which type of survey is right for your situation, you can explore our survey options here or get in touch for straightforward, impartial advice.
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