A measured house surveyor recently called me for advice, concerned about his pricing strategy and worried about losing his clients. The surveyor had consistent work from his clients, but they were not happy with his pricing and asked him to reduce it. Have you been asked to reduce your price even though you know it is at the lowest point already? He was asking £350 for measuring standard 3-bedroom houses in London and offered £250 per flat, which includes the site visit and final AutoCAD ready plans. However, the client wanted to pay only £150 per flat, which was not acceptable for the surveyor. The surveyor's concern was valid because not only does a site survey take time, but travel time remains the same regardless of whether it's a flat or a house. He was confused about how to price his services, and his worries were affecting his business. Note: We all face this when we start our business and don't know how and what to charge. While I now would pay the price and not even ask as it's very low, my only concern would be the quality and accuracy because at such low price we can also get revisits, mistakes, or missing information reflecting in lost time. Having that frustrating experience is not worth the money as sometimes we may end up finding someone new to redo the whole thing. I bet you have experienced this, if you have been long enough in the industry. Let me tell you, it's not fun :) but we all have to start somewhere and he is doing it right! So, I advised him that there is no right or wrong price, and there will always be someone who can do the work cheaper. For instance, a student doing the work to learn and gain experience may even do this for free. He is not your competition, I also did the work for free when I started, as I did not have the knowledge or experience, nor the tools or equipment like I have now (Yes the laser scanners cost money but helps to avoid mistakes and missing measurements) and it all costs money, but back then I had no cost to it. On the other hand, there can be well-established companies that may charge more due to their experience, quality controls, and systems in place to guarantee speed and quality. However, the most crucial factor is to know what you offer and what it costs to you. For instance, we don't take any smaller jobs than £500 because it's not worth the time, and I can't guarantee the quality for this type of work. That's why we offer floor plans for illustrative purposes at www.spacephoto.co.uk for estate agents and others who don't need the accuracy. Here are 5 Rules to successfully price your work: Rule No 1 - Find out what the exact clients' needs are and what they want to do with the plans. They may only need illustrative plans, not a measured survey. Rule No 2 - Set your standards, know your values, and communicate them to your team and clients. Rule No 3 - Let clients choose for themselves rather than convincing them because no one likes to be talked into something. Rule No 4 - Follow up, remember not all clients can come back and admit that they lost time and money by going with the wrong supplier. Rule No 5 - Be there to help them get out of the mess. You don't have to prove your point. Your job is to serve and provide customer service. It's important to support and encourage Clients, even if they make mistakes. We all have to experiment to find out what works best for our business, and no one else will know it better than ourselves. The bottom line is that it's important to set your standards, values, and pricing strategy and communicate them clearly to your team and clients. Remember that there will always be someone who can do the work cheaper, but that doesn't mean you should lower your prices. Focus on the quality of your work and customer service, and the right clients will be willing to pay for it. There is more work than there is good service providers! So, don't be afraid to stand by your prices and value your services. Need more business advice get in touch and I will be happy to share what I have learned for all these past 8 years. Peter Bauman survey@spacephoto.co.uk www.spacesurvey.co.uk

Climate change and sustainability: Architects will have to continue to focus on designing sustainable and energy-efficient buildings that can withstand extreme weather events caused by climate change. They will also have to consider the materials they use and their environmental impact. Rapid urbanization: With more people moving to cities, architects will have to design buildings and cities that can accommodate the growing population while also maintaining the quality of life for residents. Technological advancements: As new technologies emerge, architects will have to keep up with the latest tools and software to design buildings that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and efficient. Social and cultural shifts: Architects will have to take into account changing social and cultural values when designing buildings and public spaces. They will have to consider the needs of diverse communities and create inclusive spaces that meet the needs of all people. Economic challenges: Economic instability can impact the architecture industry, with clients and investors being more cautious about spending money on large projects. Architects will have to adapt and find innovative solutions to work within tighter budgets. And we can help with the 3rd point As laser scanning can play a significant role in helping architects to stay up to date with the latest technological advancements in the industry. Here's how: Building Information Modeling (BIM): BIM and 3D modeling that is commonly used by architects to design and simulate building projects. By incorporating laser scanning data and measured house survey information into BIM software, architects can create highly detailed and accurate models of existing buildings, making it easier to visualize design concepts and make informed decisions. In summary, by using laser scanning and measured house survey techniques, architects can capture accurate data that can be imported into BIM software, allowing them to design and simulate building projects with greater precision and efficiency. This helps architects stay up to date with the latest technological advancements in the industry and streamline their workflows, ultimately resulting in better-designed buildings and structures.

In terms of the industry's direction, there are a few key trends we're observing: Sustainability: As environmental concerns become more pressing, there's a growing demand for sustainable design solutions. This means incorporating energy-efficient technologies, materials, and minimising waste throughout the construction process. Technological advancements: The increasing use of technology in design and construction is shaping the industry. We're seeing more integration of digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and virtual reality, to help streamline the design process and improve collaboration between stakeholders. Adaptability: With the pandemic and other global challenges, we've seen a need for buildings and spaces that can adapt to changing circumstances. This includes reimagining how spaces can be used and ensuring they are designed with flexibility in mind. Off-site, modular construction: Another emerging trend is the increased adoption of off-site, modular construction methods. These methods offer numerous benefits, including reduced construction time, improved quality control, and minimized waste. As the demand for efficient and cost-effective construction solutions continues to grow, we expect to see further development and refinement of these techniques. In light of these trends, we believe that the future holds many opportunities for growth and innovation in our industry. By staying informed and adapting our approach to meet these evolving needs, we can continue to deliver high-quality, sustainable, and f orward-thinking solutions for our clients. As you know, the industry is dynamic, and the workload can vary depending on various factors. We've been exceptionally busy so far, but as a company, we've learnt that we must always try to maintain a cautious and prudent approach. This ensures that we can maintain our high standards and effectively manage our resources, even during periods of increased or decreased demand. I hope this gives you a sense of where we are and where the industry is heading from our point of view. Motti Ifergan Director/Town Planner https://www.weareupp.co.uk/

As technology advances, so do the tools used by architects and surveyors to measure and analyze buildings. One such tool that has become increasingly popular in recent years is 3D scanners. In this blog post, we will explore why architects and surveyors are changing from measuring houses by hand to 3D scanners, and what are the five benefits of using this technology. Traditionally, architects and surveyors would measure a building by hand using tape measures, laser rangefinders, and other manual tools. While this method can be accurate, it is time-consuming and can be prone to errors. On the other hand, 3D scanners can quickly and accurately capture the dimensions of a building, providing a much more efficient and reliable method of measurement. In addition to speed and accuracy, 3D scanners also offer several other advantages over manual methods of measurement. Let's take a closer look at the top five benefits of using 3D scanners. 1. Improved Accuracy As mentioned earlier, 3D scanners provide a high level of accuracy when it comes to measuring a building. They capture millions of data points in a matter of seconds, resulting in a highly detailed and accurate 3D model. This level of accuracy is essential when it comes to tasks such as designing a new building or planning a renovation. 2. Time-Saving Using 3D scanners can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to measure a building. In just a few minutes, a 3D scanner can capture all the necessary data, whereas a manual measurement can take hours or even days. This means architects and surveyors can complete their work faster, allowing them to take on more projects and increase their revenue. 3. Increased Efficiency With 3D scanners, architects and surveyors can capture data more efficiently, allowing them to complete projects faster and with less effort. This also means they can work more effectively, reducing the risk of errors and improving the quality of their work. 4. Enhanced Collaboration One of the benefits of 3D scanners is that they produce 3D models that can be easily shared with other professionals involved in a project, such as engineers or contractors. This can help improve collaboration and reduce the risk of misunderstandings, resulting in a better end product. 5. Improved Visualization Finally, 3D scanners provide architects and surveyors with a better visualization of the building they are measuring. By creating a 3D model, they can see the building from all angles and perspectives, making it easier to identify potential issues and plan more effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, architects and surveyors are changing from measuring houses by hand to 3D scanners for several reasons. They offer improved accuracy, time-saving, increased efficiency, enhanced collaboration, and improved visualization, among other benefits. At Measured House Surveys, we use the latest 3D scanning technology to provide our clients with accurate and efficient measurement services. Contact us today to get your property scanned