Understand the property. Investigate the problem. Plan the change.
Independent residential building surveying and architectural design services for buyers and homeowners across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and South Wales.
Property overview, close inspection and defect evidence
Real drone survey imagery.
Accessible construction examined in context.
Measurements interpreted rather than taken in isolation.
What do you need help with?
Each service has a defined purpose. If you are unsure which one fits the property or the problem, send us the details and we will recommend the proportionate route.
Level 3 Building Survey
Our most detailed whole-property survey for buildings where age, alteration, condition or complexity warrants deeper inspection and reporting.
- Older, altered and unusual homes
- Detailed defect analysis
- Repair priorities and further investigations
- Indicative cost guidance where appropriate
Level 2 Home Survey
A thorough condition-focused inspection for conventional properties that appear reasonably straightforward and do not require the reporting depth of Level 3.
- Conventional residential properties
- Significant defects highlighted
- Photographic reporting
- Targeted further-investigation advice
Specific Defect Survey
A targeted inspection where the concern is already defined and you need independent advice on likely cause, significance and the appropriate next step.
- Cracking and movement
- Dampness, condensation and mould
- Roof leaks and localised defects
- Alterations and structural concerns
Flat Roof Inspection
A surveyor-led visual inspection and dated photographic report for landlords, freeholders, managing agents, RTM companies and property owners who need independent condition evidence.
- Visible flat-roof condition
- Insurer, warranty or maintenance wording reviewed first
- Photographic findings and action priorities
- No roof-repair sales
Drone Survey
High-resolution aerial inspection of roofs, chimneys and other high-level areas where a ground-level view is limited or scaffold access would be disproportionate.
- Roof coverings and flashings
- Chimneys, parapets and valleys
- High-level defect investigation
- Still imagery and video where required
Architectural Design & Drawings
Architectural and technical design for domestic extensions, conversions, remodelling and structural alterations, informed by an existing-building surveying background.
- Extensions and internal remodelling
- Planning drawings
- Building Regulations drawings
- Structural alterations and domestic calculations
Outsourced Technical Support
Flexible white-label production support for architectural practices, surveyors, contractors and developers that need additional technical capacity without expanding their permanent team.
- Building Regulations packages
- Technical drawing amendments
- Building Control comment resolution
- Specifications and construction details
Start with the property
You do not need to diagnose the building or choose the technical service yourself. Send us the property details, listing link or photographs and explain what you are trying to achieve.
- Buying a property
- Concerned about a defect
- Planning an alteration
- Unsure which inspection is proportionate
Make the first viewing more useful
The UK Homebuyer Red Flag Toolkit helps buyers structure a viewing, record visible concerns, compare properties and prepare better questions. It is designed to lead into professional advice where a purchase becomes serious or findings cause concern.
The right survey depends on the property
We would rather recommend the proportionate inspection than simply sell the most expensive service.
Start with the Level 2 Home Survey.
The Level 3 Building Survey is likely to be more appropriate.
Consider a Specific Defect Survey rather than paying for a whole-property survey.
A standalone Drone Survey may provide the required high-level evidence.
Building advice grounded in how properties actually work
Hunter Ellis brings surveying and architectural design together around one subject: existing residential buildings.
Personally undertaken
Residential surveys are personally inspected by Mark Tutton and reported around the property inspected.
Independent
Advice is based on the building and the client’s interests, not on whether a sale, repair contract or design project proceeds.
Existing-building focus
Older materials, alterations, moisture behaviour and construction details are considered in context rather than in isolation.
Clear next steps
The aim is to tell you what matters, what it is likely to mean and whether the correct next action is repair, monitoring or further investigation.
Send the property first
A postcode, listing link and short explanation are usually enough for us to decide the appropriate next step.
Tell us what you need
Buying, investigating or altering — tell us what the immediate question is and provide the property details.
We review the scope
We assess the information supplied and advise which survey, inspection or design service is proportionate.
Receive a clear quotation
The proposed service, fee and relevant next steps are confirmed before you instruct us.
Residential services across Bristol and South Wales
Hunter Ellis works across a core area covering Bristol, South Gloucestershire and South Wales. Availability varies with the service, property and location.
Not sure which service fits?
Send us the property address, listing link or photographs and explain what you need help with. We will point you towards the appropriate service before you commit.
