A report drafted by another person still needs to reflect the inspecting surveyor's findings, decisions and advice. Delegating writing is not the same as delegating the inspection or the professional judgement underpinning it.
Keep an evidence trail
The writer should receive legible notes, relevant images and the surveyor's instructions. Any uncertainty should be returned as a question. An external drafter cannot reliably infer whether a roof void was accessible, whether staining was damp at inspection or which party should investigate an observed defect.
Review more than grammar
The surveyor's approval should cover factual accuracy, condition ratings, consistency across sections, the extent of inspection, risk language and the appropriateness of recommendations. An apparently polished paragraph may still be unsuitable if it goes beyond the actual inspection evidence.
Put arrangements in writing
Agree who handles amendments, where information is stored, when source material is removed and what happens if a report contains an error. The practice should also consider its professional indemnity terms and applicable data-protection obligations when using a supplier.
Treat the first draft as a working document
The finished report should be issued only after the inspecting surveyor's review and approval under the practice's own procedures. The value of specialist drafting is to improve preparation and consistency, not to bypass professional checks.
The Survey Edit supplies RICS Level 2 drafting support to surveyors. We understand that the inspecting professional must remain in control of the report.
You inspect. We write.