Tell us a bit about your role and what you’ve been working on since joining Storm Tempest.
I started at the end of January 2025 and have mainly been carrying out stock condition surveys for social housing and council clients across the North East. My role involves visiting properties, assessing their condition, and completing reports.
Each day, I’m given a list of properties to visit and survey. My goal is to complete 8 to 10 stock condition surveys per day, gathering data to help clients manage and maintain their housing stock.
What are the key skills required to do your job?
Attention to detail is essential, along with a thorough knowledge of construction. Communication skills are also important when interacting with customers and explaining the purpose of the survey findings.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love being out and about, having the opportunity to visit properties and speak with clients. Since starting, I’ve spent most of my time on-site to fully immerse myself in the role. Eventually, my schedule will include a mix of site visits, office work in Hebburn, and one day a week working from home.
I really enjoy the independence of the job - having the autonomy to manage my own schedule and focus on completing surveys efficiently. Being able to cover multiple properties in one area and structure my day how I see fit is something I find really rewarding.
How did you get into surveying?
At school, I was always interested in construction but wasn’t sure exactly what role I wanted to pursue. Surveying seemed really interesting, and I liked the idea of working on-site and assessing buildings.
I started with a Foundation Year in Surveying, which covered real estate, quantity surveying, and building surveying. As the course progressed, I discovered my passion for building surveying and pursued an undergraduate degree at Northumbria University.
It’s the skills I learnt during that degree that have really set me up for success in my role at Storm Tempest.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in building surveying?
Get stuck into your course - learn as much as you can, and investigate your options for chartership while studying because that’s a vital part of becoming a surveyor.
Work placements are also crucial. The real-world experience helps you apply what you learn in university and develop the skills you’ll need in the job.
What do you see as the biggest changes coming to your industry over the next five years?
Sustainability is a major focus for the industry. There’s a big push towards improving the energy efficiency of buildings, achieving better energy ratings, and working towards net-zero targets. The entire sector is adapting to ensure properties meet these evolving standards.
How was your experience working with Coleman James?
Charlotte Smart from the Coleman James Construction team reached out to me on LinkedIn. I was eager to progress my career but had found it difficult to set aside time to search for roles and refine my CV.
Charlotte provided the direction and encouragement I needed. She supported me throughout the process, from preparing for interviews to giving insights into what to expect. She also checked in with me once I started my new role to ensure I was settling in well.
Knowing I have that ongoing support has been incredibly helpful. It made the transition into my new role much smoother, and I’m really grateful for the guidance from Coleman James.