Meet Lizzie!

Lizzie is a Building Surveyor in the EK South team.

Lizzie is a Building Surveyor working out of the Brighton office, currently enjoying a wide range of surveying projects across the south, but it was not a straightforward jump into this role as we found out during the interview…

Q. Lizzie, what made you decide to become a Building Surveyor?

Becoming a building surveyor wasn’t always on the cards for me since I originally wanted to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps and become a national hunt jockey. However, over time I realised that being a full time jockey was likely to result in a lot of injuries and so I settled on making this my hobby instead.

Without being fully aware of it I had already developed a real fondness for historic buildings from a very young age, being a farmer’s daughter, I had grown up living in old timber framed farmhouses and feeding the animals in beautiful Sussex barns which gave me great pleasure. I later decided that I would pursue an undergraduate degree in architectural studies followed by a postgraduate degree in historic building conservation which set me on the path to becoming a building surveyor.

Q. What is the most unexpected discovery you’ve made on a site visit?

Extensive damage to a wall plate caused by squirrels.

Q. What has been your proudest surveying job or project yet?

For me there have been many proud moments! Whether it be identifying the cause of a building defect or delivering a building project on-time and on- budget I get great satisfaction in pleasing clients.

Q. What is your favourite building in the world?

Buildings are all so unique that it is near impossible to choose one! If I had to choose one it would be the Neues Museum in Berlin, it was almost entirely destroyed during World War 2 and for me it epitomises the strength of old buildings which I find remarkable. The building has been sympathetically restored with a juxtaposition of old and new construction whereby the history of the building is still easily read with the old war time scars still remaining visible (if you look closely enough!).

Q. Describe EK in 5 words

Dynamic, hard-working, enthusiastic, friendly.

To get in touch with Lizzie, send her an email or call the Brighton office on 01273 974 416.