Richard Clayson | Chartered Surveyor, Passivhaus Consultant

Richard Clayson - Chartered Surveyor, Certified Passivhaus Consultant & Self-Build Project Manager

Richard Clayson is the founder and director of Richard Clayson Ltd. He combines professional surveying expertise with practical building and low-energy design experience to offer independent, trustworthy advice to homeowners, architects, solicitors and developers across Sussex, Surrey, East Hampshire and South West London.

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As an MRICS Chartered Surveyor, Certified Passivhaus Consultant and award-winning self-build project manager, Richard is known for clear communication, technical rigour and a hands-on, client-centred approach that puts practical outcomes first.

Memberships & Qualifications

Richard is highly qualified and his formal achievements underline the technical depth he brings to every project:

BSc (Hons) degree in Geology
Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
Diploma in Building Conservation (DipBldgCons) College of Estate Management
Certified Passivhaus Consultant

These qualifications are complemented by professional registrations and memberships that reflect Richard’s commitment to professional standards and continuing development.

Professional Experience

Richard’s career spans a wide range of building types and sectors, giving him exceptional breadth of experience:

Over 30 years of professional experience, starting with Watts and Partners, a respected London surveying practice.

Postgraduate qualified as a building conservation surveyor working on residential, commercial and historic properties.

Hands-on self-build project management for new builds, extensions and renovations, including his own low-energy home.

Practical training in building construction and conservation, bringing specific expertise when working on older and heritage properties.

This mix of professional surveying, conservation knowledge and practical building experience means Richard can not only identify problems, but also propose practical, buildable solutions.

Benefits of Working with a Self-Build Project Manager

Richard’s work spans three areas, which together can give clients a coherent service:

Chartered Surveying: RICS Level 2 and Level 3 home surveys, party wall surveys, valuations and reinstatement cost assessments.
Passivhaus Consultancy: Passivhaus design using PHPP modelling, EnerPHit retrofits and low-energy new builds.
Self-Build & Project Management: Full or staged support for self-builders, refurbishments, loft conversions and extensions.

As an independent building consultant, Richard’s advice is always client focused.

Notable Projects & Awards

Richard’s own low-energy home is a testament to his expertise. He converted a pair of farm buildings to an EnerPHit retrofit standard, the highest benchmark for Passivhaus renovation.

As a result, he won the RICS Award for best residential building in the South East (2018). This award recognised the project’s technical excellence, sustainability and exceptional design quality.

Approach & Values

Richard’s work is guided by a few simple principles:

Independent and client first: no ties to contractors or suppliers.
Clear communication: technical findings in an easy to understand format.
Attention to detail: thorough inspections and practical recommendations.
Sustainability and durability: cost-effective, long-lasting solutions.
Professional standards: work in line with RICS and Passivhaus guidance.

Richard Clayson brings a rare combination of chartered surveying, low-energy building consultancy and self-build project management experience.

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Whether you need an experienced chartered surveyor for your home survey, a certified Passivhaus consultant to design and certify retrofits or new builds, or a practical self-build project manager to coordinate your home project, Richard offers independent, expert guidance delivered with clarity, honesty and care.