We're an independent firm of RICS-accredited surveyors based in Esher, Surrey. We've been helping people protect their property investments since 2009 — and we're proud to still do the simple things brilliantly.
Esher Surveyors was founded with a straightforward belief: that people buying property in Surrey deserve genuinely independent professional advice — not a tick-box exercise completed by a surveyor who's never set foot in the area.
Our founding director, James Whitfield, had spent years working for larger regional surveying practices before deciding to set up on his own. He'd grown frustrated watching clients receive boilerplate reports that missed the specific quirks of Surrey's housing stock — the subsidence risks in clay-heavy Elmbridge soil, the particular issues with 1930s semi-detacheds in Surbiton, the damp patterns common in Victorian terraces throughout Esher and Claygate.
"I wanted to build a practice where the surveyor who writes the report is someone who genuinely knows the local area," he says. "Someone who's seen the same defects in the same street before, and knows exactly what they mean for the buyer."
That ethos — local expertise, independent advice, clear communication — is still the foundation of everything we do at Esher Surveyors today.
Explore Our Services
These four principles guide every survey we carry out and every interaction we have with clients across Esher and Surrey.
We don't cut corners. Every inspection is carried out with the same rigour, whether it's a £200,000 flat or a £2 million detached house.
We have no referral agreements with estate agents or mortgage brokers. Our only obligation is to give you the most accurate, unbiased advice possible.
We write reports in plain English. If something is serious, we say so clearly. If it isn't, we say that too. No jargon, no ambiguity.
We know the Esher, Elmbridge and Surrey property market inside out — the streets, the property types, the common defects.
Every survey is carried out by a fully qualified, experienced RICS-accredited surveyor — not an unqualified inspector. Here's the team you'll be working with.
James founded Esher Surveyors after more than a decade in residential surveying across Surrey and South West London. He specialises in complex Level 3 building surveys and has particular expertise in older and high-value residential properties. He's based in Esher and has lived in the borough for over 20 years, giving him an unrivalled understanding of the local property market.
15+ years' experience • Level 2 & Level 3 Surveys • Party Wall
Rachel joined Esher Surveyors in 2017 after working in both private practice and public sector surveying. She has a strong background in residential surveys and valuations, and has developed a particular specialism in new build snag surveys and shared ownership valuations. Clients consistently comment on the clarity and detail of her reports.
8+ years' experience • Level 2 & Valuations • Snag Surveys
Tom leads our party wall surveying service and handles the bulk of our commercial consultancy work. He has dealt with hundreds of party wall matters across Esher, Surbiton and the wider Elmbridge area, from simple loft conversions to complex basement excavations in high-value properties. His straightforward approach keeps projects moving and disputes to a minimum.
10+ years' experience • Party Wall • Commercial
Our accreditations mean you're protected. If something ever goes wrong, you have recourse through the RICS complaints procedure and our professional indemnity insurance.
From a one-man band working from a home office in Esher to a respected local practice covering the entire Elmbridge borough — here's how we got here.
James Whitfield sets up Esher Surveyors as a sole practice, focusing on residential surveys in the KT10 area.
We complete our 100th survey — a Level 3 building survey on a Victorian villa in Esher. The client saves £14,000 on the purchase price.
Rachel Morgan joins as a building surveyor, bringing expertise in valuations and new build surveys.
Tom Henderson joins to lead our dedicated party wall surveying service across Esher and Elmbridge.
We extend our coverage to include Cobham, Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames and South West London.
We celebrate completing our 500th survey and 127 five-star client reviews — milestones we're genuinely proud of.
Whether you're buying a property in Esher for the first time or you're an experienced investor, our surveyors are here to help. Get in touch for a no-obligation quote.
"The best investment you can make when buying a property is an independent survey. It gives you the facts — and the facts give you power."
— James Whitfield, Director, Esher SurveyorsTell us about your property and we'll come back to you with a tailored fee proposal.