Who We Are

About Bradford Shipley Surveyors

We're a team of independent building surveyors who know the West Yorkshire property market inside out. Honest advice, clear reports, and a service that puts you first — every time.

Our Story

Independent Surveyors Serving Bradford & Shipley Since 2010

Bradford Shipley Surveyors was founded with a simple mission: to give property buyers and sellers in West Yorkshire the honest, independent survey advice they deserve — without the corporate price tag.

Our founder had seen too many people buy properties with hidden problems — damp behind wallpaper, structural movement dismissed as "minor settlement," roofs that needed replacing within a year of purchase. Buyers who had trusted a basic mortgage valuation and skipped an independent survey, only to find themselves facing repair bills that dwarfed the cost of what a proper survey would have cost.

We set up Bradford Shipley Surveyors to change that. To be the local, approachable, properly regulated firm that tells you what you need to hear — not what you want to hear. Because that's what real professional advice looks like.

Today, we've carried out well over 500 surveys across Bradford, Shipley, Leeds, Bingley, Keighley, Ilkley, and the broader Yorkshire region. We're members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), accredited under the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and registered with the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA).

Bradford and Shipley West Yorkshire panoramic view showing the traditional stone property stock
500+
Surveys Done
15+
Years Experience
3
Accreditations
The Team

Meet Our Professional Surveyors

Our team combines decades of experience across residential and commercial surveying. Every member holds professional accreditations and brings genuine local knowledge of the Yorkshire property market.

Ian Stuart Gibson, Lead Building Surveyor at Bradford Shipley Surveyors, pictured outside a traditional Yorkshire stone property

Ian Stuart Gibson

Lead Surveyor & Founder

Ian founded Bradford Shipley Surveyors after more than 15 years in the property industry. He grew up in the Bradford area and has an unmatched knowledge of the local property stock — from the Victorian terraces of Manningham to the stone-built semis of Shipley and the period properties along the Wharfe valley.

Ian's direct, no-nonsense approach is reflected in every report the practice produces. He believes clients deserve straight answers, not confusing jargon.

Sarah Thornton, Senior Building Surveyor at Bradford Shipley Surveyors, standing outside a Victorian terraced property in West Yorkshire

Sarah Thornton

Senior Building Surveyor

Sarah joined the practice in 2014 and has become one of our most experienced surveyors, with particular expertise in older and heritage properties. She's built a reputation for her thorough, meticulous approach — and for finding things that other surveyors miss.

Sarah specialises in Level 3 Building Surveys on period properties, and frequently advises clients purchasing near heritage sites in the Bradford area, including properties in the Saltaire World Heritage Site buffer zone.

Robert Caldwell, Commercial Surveyor at Bradford Shipley Surveyors, seated at a desk with survey plans and a laptop

Robert Caldwell

Commercial & Valuation Surveyor

Robert brings over 20 years' experience in commercial and mixed-use property surveying and valuation. He leads our commercial survey and property consultancy work across Leeds, Bradford and the surrounding areas.

Having previously worked for a national firm before joining us, Robert chose Bradford Shipley Surveyors precisely because of the practice's commitment to personal, independent advice. He manages relationships with property investors, developers and commercial landlords across Yorkshire.

What We Stand For

Our Values as Professional Surveyors

Everything we do is guided by three core principles. They're not just words on a wall — they define how we work and how we treat every client.

Honesty

We tell you what you need to know. If the property has serious problems, we say so — clearly and directly. Our clients trust us because we never soften findings to close a deal.

Expertise

Every surveyor on our team holds recognised professional qualifications. We invest in continuous professional development so our knowledge of building pathology and surveying practice is always current.

Independence

We're an independent practice. We have no ties to estate agents, mortgage brokers, or developers. Our only obligation is to you — the client who instructed us to act in their best interests.

Professional Standing

Our Accreditations & Regulatory Memberships

Bradford Shipley Surveyors is regulated by the UK's most respected professional bodies for building surveyors and building professionals.

RICS – Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

We are a firm regulated by RICS — the world's leading professional body for property and construction. Our surveyors are RICS Registered Surveyors, providing you with the highest level of professional assurance. RICS regulation means you benefit from independent redress via the RICS Complaints Procedure if ever required.

CIOB – Chartered Institute of Building

The Chartered Institute of Building is the world's largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. CIOB accreditation is held by our RICS registered building surveyors who also practice in building consultancy and project management.

RPSA – Residential Property Surveyors Association

The RPSA is a UK professional body dedicated specifically to residential survey services. RPSA membership demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the very highest standards in residential property surveying and to providing a client-focused, independent service.

Our Journey

Bradford Shipley Surveyors – A Timeline

We've come a long way since our founding — but our core values have never changed. Here's a look at the milestones that have shaped our practice.

2010
Bradford Shipley Surveyors Founded
Ian Stuart Gibson established the practice with a focus on independent residential surveys across Bradford and Shipley. Early clients were mostly first-time buyers looking for honest advice.
2013
Expanded to Leeds & Bingley
Growing demand led to expanded coverage across the Leeds district and Bingley corridor. The practice took on its first full-time associate surveyor.
2016
Heritage Property Specialism Launched
Sarah Thornton joined the team, bringing specialist expertise in heritage and listed building surveys. The practice began handling surveys near the Saltaire World Heritage Site.
2019
Commercial Surveying Services Added
Robert Caldwell joined as our commercial and valuation lead, extending the practice's offer to include commercial and mixed-use property surveys across Yorkshire.
2023
500+ Surveys Milestone
The practice completed its 500th survey — a Victorian terrace in Manningham — a milestone reflecting the trust placed in us by hundreds of Yorkshire property buyers.
Today
Yorkshire's Trusted Independent Surveyors
Bradford Shipley Surveyors continues to grow, covering an ever-wider area across West and North Yorkshire, whilst maintaining the personal, direct service that clients value most.
Client Reviews

What Clients Say About Bradford Shipley Surveyors

★★★★★
5.0 · 47 verified reviews
★★★★★

"Bradford Shipley Surveyors were simply excellent. Ian was incredibly thorough and his report on our Edwardian semi was remarkably detailed. It found a damp problem the estate agent had clearly tried to paint over. We pulled out of the purchase and found a much better property as a result. Couldn't recommend them more highly."

Thomas & Wendy B. Bradford, West Yorkshire
Google Review · Verified
★★★★★

"As someone purchasing a property as a buy-to-let investment near Leeds city centre, I needed a commercial surveyor who understood both residential and commercial aspects. Robert at Bradford Shipley Surveyors was brilliant. His report was comprehensive and gave me the information I needed for a complete renegotiation on the price."

Neil K. Leeds, West Yorkshire
Trustpilot · Verified
★★★★★

"Sarah carried out a Level 3 Building Survey on a 1920s property we were hoping to buy near Shipley. Her knowledge of older properties is clearly exceptional. She found historic structural movement that hadn't been disclosed — and her report was so detailed we were able to commission specialist contractors for quotes before even exchanging. Brilliant service."

Helen & Chris M. Shipley, West Yorkshire
Google Review · Verified
★★★★★

"I've used Bradford Shipley Surveyors three times now for different properties, and they're consistently outstanding. Fast, affordable, thorough — and most importantly, honest. The kind of surveying service West Yorkshire buyers have been crying out for. Highly recommend to anyone buying a property in the Bradford or Leeds area."

Greg S. Keighley, West Yorkshire
Trustpilot · Verified

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