Meet the team: 5 Minutes with Vincent Yip

At SRVO Property, our Building Surveying team supports clients across a wide range of sectors by delivering accurate, reliable and forward-thinking advice. From complex technical surveys to innovative data capture methods, the team plays a key role in helping clients make informed decisions and protect the long-term value of their assets.

Vincent is a Senior Chartered Building Surveyor at SRVO, bringing international experience and a strong interest in innovation, accuracy and building safety. His work reflects a practical, technology-led approach, combined with a clear understanding of the responsibility surveyors have to safeguard people and assets.

What recent project are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the measured retail surveys carried out for Ralph Lauren. To date, we have successfully completed surveys for over 20 retail stores across the UK and Ireland, consistently delivering a high level of accuracy in line with the brand’s standards. The ongoing relationship, and the expectation of further projects in 2026, reflect the client’s trust in the quality and reliability of our work.

Which of our values resonate most with you, and how do you live them day-to-day?

Innovation resonates most strongly with me. As a building surveyor, innovation plays an increasingly important role in the profession, particularly as new technologies continue to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Tools such as digital surveying methods, drone surveys and advanced data capture systems allow us to access areas that would be difficult, unsafe or impossible to reach through traditional methods. This not only reduces time spent on repetitive tasks, but also enables us to achieve outcomes that would not be possible otherwise, while improving safety, quality and the overall value of our work.

Describe your journey into property, what first drew you to the industry?

I have been working in the architectural and building surveying field since 2016 in Hong Kong, and relocated to the UK in 2023. What initially attracted me to the industry was the variety and hands-on nature of the work.

I enjoy moving from project to project, travelling between sites and being actively involved in the construction process rather than working solely in an office. I find satisfaction in creating something tangible, solving practical problems and facing new challenges, rather than repeating the same tasks.

What’s the most memorable or interesting thing you’ve seen on site?

One of the most memorable experiences on site involved diagnosing a defect related to a persistent bad smell in a bathroom. I discovered that the exhaust outlet of the lower apartment’s ventilation fan had been routed directly beneath the bathtub of the apartment above.

It was hard to believe that such an arrangement had been accepted during construction. This experience underscored the importance of proper coordination, quality control and thorough inspections, reinforcing why careful surveying and professional oversight are essential in preventing serious design and construction oversights.

What’s your favourite building?

My favourite building is 10 Palace Gate, a Grade II listed block of flats completed in 1937. Built in reinforced concrete, it features a distinctive 3-2 plan with high-ceilinged living spaces and more intimate bedrooms.

The building’s clear spatial arrangement and innovative design make it one of the most remarkable modernist flats of the 1930s, successfully balancing technical innovation with functionality. It demonstrates a sensitive yet progressive approach to design, which I find both inspiring and instructive from a surveying and architectural perspective.

Reflections on building safety

Recent fire incidents in Hong Kong and Switzerland have reinforced the importance of building safety and the real impact our work can have on people’s lives. These events highlighted that building safety is not just about meeting regulations, but about protecting occupants and the wider community.

As a building surveyor, this has strengthened my awareness of the responsibility we carry. Our professional judgement and attention to detail play a critical role in ensuring buildings are safe to use, reinforcing my commitment to carrying out my work carefully, responsibly and with safety always in mind.