Posted By NIGEL REE Dont forget that you need PI insurance before you proceed with surveys on your own behalf. The prices for this are I think it is fair to say fairly high. I got the best deal from Noyce in southampton 01489773855. Good luck Nigel

Posted By Jim Cameron Re: PI insurance - very few insurers are now left in the market. I'm currently with Miles Smith PLC (0207 2830040) however they base their insurance on experience, and you need to submit a comprehensive CV. Due to the lack of competition in this market, the few insurers left have got a virtual monopoly, so you may find PI insurance (if you can get it), financially prohibitive. Check with whichever insurer you do go with that they haven't added an 'Asbestos Exclusion' to the policy! This has been known to happen, which makes the insurance virtually worthless for the nature of work to be undertaken. Not wanting to add to the difficulty; you will also need PL (Public Liability) insurance for many contracts. As for 'how high' reagarding premiums, you are probably looking at 3-4k for PI if you can get it.