Building Surveying Conference

We successfully concluded the Building Surveying Conference in London on 7 May 2026, bringing together chartered surveyors, legal experts, academics, and industry leaders from across the UK. The event remains a key fixture in the building surveying calendar, exploring key challenges and opportunities for the profession. Thank you to all who attended.

Event Highlights

Chaired by Helen McKeown MRICS, Director and Co-founder, Axis Surveying Limited, the conference brought together practitioners from across the sector to explore current developments in building surveying practice.

A strong theme throughout the day was the impact of regulation across the built environment, from damp and mould through to fire safety, and how this continues to shape standards, compliance, and professional judgement in practice.

Technical highlights included the defects analysis session, alongside a well-received damp and mould presentation, both focused on practical building pathology and common defects seen in real-world instruction.

The programme also covered key specialist areas including building conservation, party wall matters, and dilapidations, reflecting the breadth of work undertaken by modern building surveyors.

Sustainability discussions focused on energy efficiency improvements, EPC and MEES requirements, and the practical balance between compliance, asset performance, and client expectations.

Alongside this, sessions explored the use of ai, including how they are being integrated into surveying, while reinforcing the continued importance of professional judgement under the current professional standard.

The day concluded with a timely session on reinforced concrete transfer slabs, focusing on their structural implications and the common issues that arise in complex building forms.

Key takeaways

• Strengthened understanding of building safety, including the latest case law and legislative updates under the Building Safety Act, supporting more confident and compliant practice.
• Improved accuracy in defect identification and remediation through evidence-based approaches to building pathology and real-world case studies.
• Enhanced knowledge of sustainable retrofit strategies, including fabric performance, insulation, and ventilation, supporting better alignment between environmental goals and regulatory requirements.
• Developed a clearer understanding of EPC and MEES requirements, supporting improved client advice and long-term asset value decisions.
• Strengthened skills in dispute resolution and risk management through case-led discussion on party walls, neighbourly issues, and dilapidations.
• Explored the evolving role of AI in surveying practice within the context of the RICS standard, including their opportunities and limitations.
• Improved ability to produce clearer, more impactful reporting to support client decision-making and strengthen professional authority.