Almost half of residential surveyors expect to leave the profession within the next decade, highlighting the scale of the workforce challenge facing the sector.

The first annual Survey of Surveyors, conducted by Skyline as part of its Surveyor Live programme, found that 46% of respondents do not expect to still be working in 10 years.

The age profile underlines the potential recruitment problem. Some 62% of respondents were aged over 50, while fewer than 16% were under 40. Most of those surveyed were independent residential surveyors.

The findings suggest the industry could face a significant loss of experienced professionals unless greater numbers of younger people enter the sector.

The research also provides an insight into how surveyors currently work and their priorities.

Two-thirds (66.4%) ranked report quality as their number one priority. Traditional working methods also remain popular, with cameras and paper preferred to apps and tablets.

Attitudes towards artificial intelligence were more mixed. Most respondents believe AI has the potential to make their jobs easier. However, 54% said they currently do not want the technology to become more integrated into their businesses.

Overall, the research portrays an independent residential surveying sector that remains relatively traditional and places greater emphasis on quality than volume.

However, the age profile is likely to attract the greatest attention. The findings reinforce longstanding concerns about attracting younger people into surveying and replacing those approaching retirement.

The research suggests greater engagement with schools, colleges and universities will be needed to improve awareness of surveying as a career.

Skyline plans to conduct the Survey of Surveyors annually, allowing changes in demographics, working practices and technology adoption to be tracked over time.

The data could also provide an indication of whether the profession has sufficient capacity to accommodate future changes to the homebuying process proposed by government and the wider property industry.

Skyline director, Alan Milstein, commented: “As an industry surveying lacks reliable data about the demographics and structure of our community. So we felt a responsibility to try to better understand the people who provide such important services to the property industry.

“And with government proposals for mandatory upfront condition reports on the table, reliable data about the size and make-up of the workforce is essential”.