Freelance associate home surveyor

Established survey firms and estate agency groups pay you per inspection. Their clients are home buyers, sellers and landlords.

A fee per completed inspection and report, usually a share of what the firm charges the client. Income depends on how many jobs you take on.

• Understanding of how houses are built
• Accurate, timely report writing
• Reliability with deadlines
• Comfortable in lofts, cellars and on roofs

• Check whether the firm's insurance covers you or whether you need your own professional indemnity cover
• Understand your self-employed tax position and register with HMRC
• Fees per job vary a lot between firms, so compare once travel time is included
• Work can be uneven, so do not rely on it for all your income at first
• Safe working in lofts, on ladders and in properties with hazards such as asbestos

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your equipment, software and whether you need your own professional indemnity cover. Check whether the firm's insurance covers you before buying a policy.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £3,500, depending on how many inspections you take and the fee per job. Fees vary between firms and work can be uneven, so compare offers once travel time is included.

Check whether the firm's insurance covers you, your self-employed tax position with HMRC, and how fees compare once travel is counted. Also consider safe working in lofts, on ladders and in properties with hazards such as asbestos.