Professional Procedures - an open letter from IIMS President,


Mr Geoff Waddington “Dear Member,


It has come to my attention (as well as to the Institute) that proper professional procedures are not being followed by some members.


For guidance and for your protection against litigation the survey procedure should follow these basic but essential guidelines.


1. Enquiry: The initial enquiry if by phone call should be re-directed to email so that a record can be kept in the boat’s file.


2. Quotation: A written quotation including the scope of survey and survey limitations should be sent to the instructing client.


3. Acceptance of quotation: This should be in the form of an email from the instructing client stating the level of survey required.


4. Letter of Instruction (The Survey Contract): Once the acceptance of your quotation for a particular level of survey has been received this should generate a letter of instruction which must include the surveyor’s standard terms and conditions.


• The letter must state the level and specific type of survey for which you are being instructed. • The letter must have a statement regarding permission from the owner granting access to conduct the survey.


• The letter requires the address of the instructing client (for future invoicing) and contact details of the owner and or broker.


• The letter must quote and confirm the agreed cost of survey. • The letter must be signed by the instructing client. • Terms and Conditions must be attached or available to view somewhere.


5. On completion of the survey any additional and unforeseen expenses in regard to the survey need to be agreed with the instructing client.


6. An initial draft report should be produced requesting comments and corrections from the instructing client.


7. At this time an invoice should be sent to the instructing client (circumstances may dictate whether payment is required in advance of the draft report or even before the survey itself and will have been stipulated and agreed).


8. On receipt of payment a signed and dated final copy of the report should be produced and sent to the instructing client.


If you are not currently following these procedures, you are leaving yourself wide open to potential litigation and may find yourself exposed. IIMS members, please take note and heed this sound advice.”


Geoff Waddington, IIMS President


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14