A Day in the Life of – Matthew London

In my role at Legal & General Surveying Services, I undertake mortgage valuations for lender clients and Homebuyer Surveys for private clients.

What does your morning routine look like?

I try and get on the road for 7.30 – 7.45 a.m., once I’ve made my wife a cup of tea and fed the kids and cats. I generally undertake 6 points per day, which varies from 6 physical inspections to 3 physicals and 6 drive-by inspections. The jobs cover all of North London, which presents various challenges, but I am usually home between 1 – 2 p.m.

What does a typical afternoon look like?

Afternoons are spent at the desk and on the phone, primarily verifying comparable information to enable me to complete the valuation reports.

What do you find to be your most productive time of the day?

Immediately after lunch when I’m non-stop on the phone verifying the information I need.

How do you manage your time to ensure you have a good work / life / home balance?

I like to think I’m well-organised. I have a ‘division of labour’ approach to the job whereby I focus on making all my calls as early as possible. This enables me to take a break and help the kids with their homework, or cook dinner. I then complete writing up my reports and am usually finished for 7 p.m.

What is your favourite part of your working day in your role?

I have a young family and my wife also has a demanding job, so we’re usually very busy during the week. I’m happiest once I’ve made all my calls and the pressure is off, so I can do my family bit and then write up the reports a little later.

What does a typical dinner time look like in your household?

The kids eat earlier but my wife and I try and sit down at the table around 8pm, although it’s sometimes in front of the telly.

What do you do to unwind?

I have 2 boys who are sport-mad, so I help out at their football/rugby/cricket training. A G&T can work wonders too!

If you could give one piece of career advice what would it be?

Work hard and go for it.

How important has your support network been in helping you through your role?

Working from home can sometimes feel a bit lonely, so having a good manager and team around you makes all the difference. We have a group set up on ‘Teams’ where I can ask advice, even if it’s a ‘dumb’ question.

Does your job require a degree?

It’s complicated! To become a surveyor, you can either pursue an apprenticeship or a degree, and there are different options in each route. 

To become a Chartered Surveyor, you need a degree and relevant experience – however, there is an option for those in senior roles to qualify on experience only.

You can find out more about the routes into becoming a surveyor on the RICS website.