Choosing an independent assessor or contractor

Match the role to the question

Use an appropriately competent professional to investigate roof condition, moisture, ventilation or valuation questions, and a contractor to explain how it would deliver a defined work scope. Do not ask a website or quotation to stand in for an inspection.

Sources for this section: RICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation

Test independence and conflicts

Ask whether the assessor sells installation or removal, receives referral payments, shares ownership or has another commercial interest in the recommendation. RICS describes independent expertise as commercially separated from the installer and manufacturer.

Sources for this section: RICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation

Verify competence, insurance and scope

• Relevant competence and comparable experience
• Current professional or public-liability insurance appropriate to the role
• Access, inspection or work method and exclusions
• Written findings, photographs and limitations
• Complaints route and responsibility for subcontractors

Sources for this section: RICS consumer guide to spray foam insulation

Understand domestic construction duties

HSE states that domestic-client duties normally pass to the contractor on a single-contractor project, or to the principal contractor where more than one contractor is involved, subject to the appointment arrangements HSE describes. Ask the proposed contractor to explain who controls the work and how risks are managed.

Sources for this section: HSE domestic client duties under CDM 2015

Next steps

1. Define the property question before choosing the professional role.
2. Verify commercial relationships, relevant competence, current insurance and the written scope.
3. Compare findings or work proposals against the same evidence and preserve all limitations.