IWD 2021: Chartered Surveyor Spotlight

For International Women’s Day 2021 we put the spotlight on Hannah McConnell-Wood, one of our Lincolnshire-based Chartered Surveyors and RICS Registered Valuers. Hannah opens up about her chosen career and role at Watsons.

Hannah McConnell-Wood – Lincolnshire

After securing a BSc (Hons) degree in Real Estate at Nottingham Trent University, Hannah started working as an estate agent to build up her experience and understanding of the sales process. Following this, Hannah started her APC (assessment of professional competence) and gained further experience at a reputable property consulting firm in Lincoln, passing in October 2016.

“Being a surveyor has always been my ultimate end goal, from starting my degree at NTU. My university lecturers were very passionate about property and although my course was largely focused on commercial property, I was pointed in the right direction and I took it from there. I had a great sense of accomplishment when I passed my APC as it had been a long time coming – I can still vividly remember the APC assessment interview!”.

During this time, Hannah worked hard to build a breadth of local knowledge and of the local property market.

“I was encouraged into Chartered Surveying because of my curiosity into the way buildings work and their history. It’s fascinating to see why and how materials, technology and methods of construction have evolved over the decades (and centuries).

When training to be a Chartered Surveyor, I was taught to always start on the outside of a property and work your way in. Other surveyors may argue the flip side of this, but this really helps me follow the trail (of the property) and search for any possible defects within a house. It also gets the cold bit out of the way first’.

Keeping a record of inspections by taking photographs is an integral part of the job of a surveyor. “It certainly helps to be good at photography to make sure I capture elements I may want to discuss in my reports, so that clients can see what is being referred to. Also, the photographs help me reflect on what I’ve found at a certain property, especially after seeing a variety of properties in one day. Also, if I come across something unique to discuss with fellow colleagues and surveyors! We have a Surveyors WhatsApp group which allows us to ask each other questions or advice on particular defects, and sharing images of what we’re talking about are often essential.  As with any profession, a second or even third opinion always helps. Writing up my reports also gives me a chance to reflect on where I have been and what I have inspected”.

Hannah continues to enjoy her work and plans to build on her relationships with local professionals, “I enjoy meeting new people, seeing different parts of the country and having a varied diary of different property types and valuation purposes. Every day is different in this job. Watsons are incredibly supportive and I have always felt an equal to my colleagues. I feel valued and encouraged to expand my knowledge and skills.”

For more information or to obtain a quote, please contact your Local Surveyor or email survey@watsons-property.co.uk

Alternatively, book your survey or valuation online using our Survey Booker.

Find out more about International Women’s Day 2021.