As the market moves towards 2026, the main challenge facing surveying is not access to data, but how well information is gathered and used at the very start of the valuation process.
Too much pressure still builds later in a transaction because the property has not been fully understood upfront. That pressure shows itself in delays, follow-up queries and rework that could often have been avoided.
This is not surprising given the nature of the UK housing stock. Many homes are old, build types vary widely and refurbishments made over time are not always clear from basic checks. Flats, conversions and mixed-use buildings bring added layers of detail that are easy to miss early on and when those details are picked up late, options narrow quickly.
RELIEVE PRESSURE
The opportunity for the sector in 2026 is to reduce that pressure by improving understanding at the outset. Technology has a key role to play here, but not as a shortcut. Its value lies in helping surveyors and lenders build a clearer picture of the property before a valuation route is chosen.
Complex property types are no longer unusual, high-rise blocks, non-standard construction and adapted homes are part of everyday lending. These properties can generate a lot of data, but volume is not the same as insight. What matters is how that data and information is interpreted and applied to the risk in front of the lender.
Different valuation methods exist for good reason. AVMs, extended AVMs, desktop approaches and full inspections each serve a purpose. The challenge is not choosing between them in principle, but applying the right one to the right property at the right time. When that call is made without enough knowledge, issues are simply pushed further along the chain.
THE ROLE OF TECH
This is where technology can make a real difference. Tools such as GeoConnect are designed to bring together property-specific information from multiple sources at the point of instruction. The focus is on understanding the property first, then deciding how it should be valued and it’s that order that really matters.
Environmental factors remain an important part of the risk picture, but they sit alongside wider property details. Construction type, form, location, history and market context all influence suitability for lending. Looking at these elements together gives a more balanced view and supports more consistent decisions.
As expectations rise, surveyors are being asked to consider not just current value, but longer-term resilience. Energy standards, ongoing maintenance and future use are becoming more relevant to lending decisions. That makes early assessment even more important, particularly where properties fall outside the standard mould.
Technology in 2026 should support this shift towards better preparation. When used well, it reduces the need for another survey to be instructed, limits follow-up queries and creates a calmer process for all parties. It doesn’t and shouldn’t replace professional judgement, it simply provides a stronger base on which to make more educated decisions.
The opportunity in 2026 is to move away from reactive valuation and towards informed choice. A process built on strong property insight, supported by the right information at the right time, allows risk to be managed properly and outcomes to improve. And that is what we, as a business and as a sector, should be striving to achieve.
