Podcasts for Surveyors: What to Listen to and Why It Matters

A number of years ago, when I had just joined BlueBox partners, I attended an RICS conference day and got chatting to some surveyors. Fresh out of corporate and feeling vulnerable i asked them how they tuned in to the conversations happening in the industry and profession. 

They attended events like this, they told me. Expect there wasn’t much chatting going on, and the only listening was death by PowerPoint.

Fast forward to the week before the pandemic, and I started The Surveyor Hub podcast - we thought it would be more technical, but the audience really tuned in for the conversation, banter, career journeys and a feeling connected. When we share our experiences, we not only learn a lot, but we also inspire and connect in ways we never thought possible.

It was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done - the conversations, the feedback, and seeing how useful it was to people across the profession. I’ve stepped back from it (for now). Not because it wasn’t working, quite the opposite. It was very well received. But it also takes a huge amount of time and energy to do properly. And like many things in this space, it wasn’t something I did for income.

At some point, I had to decide where to focus my time, particularly as my work has evolved and family and health have become priorities. So for now, it’s paused. That doesn’t take away from what it was, or the value in those conversations, but it’s a reminder that even the good things need to be sustainable.

More than just “content”

There is now a growing number of podcasts across surveying, construction, conservation, and the wider property industry. And that matters more than we might think.

Because what these podcasts are really doing is opening up the profession - sharing how people think, how they work, and how they approach the challenges we all deal with.

And if you’re willing to listen, there’s a lot to learn. It’s easy to see podcasts as something to have on in the car between inspections.

But many of these conversations go deeper than that.

They give insight into:

• how other surveyors approach their work
• how different parts of the industry connect
• how decisions are made (and sometimes challenged)
• how the profession is evolving

They also do something we don’t always get day-to-day - they make space for reflection.

And that’s something we don’t always prioritise in practice.

A quick note on podcasts (for those newer to them)

I’m often asked - particularly by more experienced surveyors or those less familiar with the tech - what podcasts actually are and how to access them.

A podcast is simply a digital audio programme, similar to a talk radio show. Most are released as a series of episodes which you can stream or download via an app on your phone.

If you have an iPhone, you’ll already have Apple Podcasts installed. Android users have access to similar apps. Once you find a podcast you like, you can follow it and new episodes will appear automatically.

Many are also hosted on websites, so if you prefer, you can listen directly from a browser.

And that’s part of the appeal - you can listen anywhere. Driving between inspections, walking the dog, or even while writing up notes.

A (growing) list worth exploring

Since starting The Surveyor Hub Podcast back in 2019, I’ve seen more and more podcasts emerge across the profession.

Some are highly produced. Others are built on enthusiasm and a microphone. The sound quality varies. The format varies. The consistency varies.

Many of them are no longer producing new episodes, but they are still very relevant. What I find genuinely encouraging is what surveyors are creating (or created), often on a shoestring, alongside running businesses and doing the day job.

Here’s a list of those worth exploring.

Surveying, construction & the built environment

Heritage Buildings Podcast (HBP)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist...

Thrive in Construction Podcast
https://darren-evans.co.uk/thrive-in-construction-podcast/

Own The Build Podcast
https://ownthebuild.buzzsprout.com

Behind the Regs Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIWbMc3FFAwSk5ZWdUWxg6Q

Talking Conservation
https://www.youtube.com/@talkingconservation

Ask The Surveyor
https://www.youtube.com/@askthesurveyor_podcast

Building Pathology
https://open.spotify.com/show/1kvRM8ahpolaXzhDreKcwO

SurveyAll

https://open.spotify.com/show/1kvRM8ahpolaXzhDreKcwO

Roughcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HKGFwNgTKeznSoY92FTbD?si=Al0LMn4uTj6pvEiS9fxOoA 

Professional bodies, support & industry insight

RICS Podcasts
https://www.rics.org/news-insights/rics-podcasts

LionHeart Podcasts
https://www.lionheart.org.uk/podcasts

EG Property Podcasts

https://estatesgazette.podbean.com/

Business, practice & modern surveying

Survey Booker Sessions
https://surveybooker.co.uk/category/podcast/

The Surveying Shift (GoReport)
https://goreport.com/the-surveying-shift-podcast/

This is Surveying
https://hq.surveyors-uk.com/podcasts/

Scaffold Surveying

https://scafol-io.com/media-hub/podcasts/ 

Career journeys, niche topics & wider perspectives

Let’s Talk About The Built Environment
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1764193/episodes 

The SurveYOUR Podcast
https://www.delever.com/survpod 

The GeoHolics Podcast
https://thegeoholics.com/

Super-Prime UK Podcast
https://www.superprimeuk.com/ 

Honest Property Investment
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/honest-property-investment-with-natasha-collins/id1211204441 

The Property Elite Podcast
https://www.property-elite.co.uk/podcast 

The Surveyor Hub Podcast

https://www.lovesurveying.com/podcasts/the-surveyor-hub-podcast 

RadioResi

https://open.spotify.com/show/0DzuExgVaZsH6xKy91iohf?si=dd01b44b8f0b48b9 

What you’ll notice if you listen

What’s interesting isn’t just the topics - it’s the range.

Some are highly technical or business-focused. Some are about conservation, regulation, or well-being. 

And together, they paint a picture of a profession that is more open than it used to be, more willing to share experience and increasingly aware that surveying is about more than just the building

Because alongside defects and conditions, we’re dealing with client expectations, communication, decision-making under pressure and, ultimately, risk

Podcasts won’t solve everything.

But they are a simple way to stay connected to the profession, challenge your thinking, and keep learning - even on the busiest days.

If you have others to add…

This list has grown over time, and I’m sure there are more worth sharing.

If you listen to something that’s helped you think differently about your work, I’d be interested to hear it.

Because the more we share, the better the profession becomes.

If you found this useful, you’re welcome to share it with others who may benefit.

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