Watsons Norwich reviews

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Would use again and again and again!

So quick and informative from start to finish. They did not try and sell me a Level 3 just to make money, which I've had before and instead insisted I only needed a Level 2 (which i knew anyways). The survey took place exactly 1 week after booking and I received my report on the same day. I got to mention things to them to look out for during their survey that I had noticed when viewing the property and they flagged those up in the report for me. So quick, so easy, would 100% use again.

Yaz · 7 October 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I can't recommend Watsons highly enough, the service we have received so far from both Steve and Tom was fantastic. They have both gone above and beyond to help us with our move, showing nothing is too much trouble for them.PositiveProfessionalism

David · 20 June 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Watson’s surveyor passed this redecoration work costing approx £36k, it’s been carried out satisfactorily according to Watsons! A nice big cut for Watsons, avoid at all costs. This was raised with Watsons and they were most unhelpful and fobbed off my 84 year old father. I have since contacted the contractor directly and they have promptly agreed to correct their substandard work.

Joanne · 20 February 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Watson’s have been wonderful, advising and explaining everything to me. I dealt with them first as my buyers had organised a survey with them and they were so great that I then booked my home buyers survey though them too. Dave in particular took the time to explain the difference between the packages they provided. Emma that did my survey was very lovely too. I would 100% recommend them to a friend!

Nicola · 20 June 2023

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Don't be gullible

I have no problem in the booking and the cost was as ridiculous as any other regarding surveys. My issue is the time taken, about an hour, and the equipment used, binoculars, tape and damp meter.My report was not full and to the point, most of the report does not go into any issues, its all no worries at present. I was a builder for 30 years plus and tested a few areas to be checked by the surveyor, well within the remit of him/her and never had an answer to any of them. Recommended by the estate agent of the seller also. Very poor service and no want to speak to you once completed. Not a complete report but when/if I find a problem the relevant body will know of it

Bibsy · 24 October 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Great service by Dave Watson who arranged a survey for me. Very personable service, and always happy to help. Quick turnaround on the survey, which was very helpful! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dave.

Michael · 20 June 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

The initial process of booking was very professional and efficient. Emily Williams has been incredibly helpful and very quick to respond to queries. Hopefully the building survey itself will be as high quality as the first stages of the service.

Tom · 20 June 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Forever flat (Hopefully)

Looking for property in the area and although where I have chosen is only 6 years old I listened to the advice of one of the team surveyors and had a RIC2 done The result was great and report was easy to read and understand. I am hoping to Exchange on what is hopefully my forever flat this month.

Karen · 5 April 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Benji gave great customer service from the get go. Really patient and willing to explain the process from start to finish, supplied variety of quotes along with examples so we could see the difference - really helpful. Always cheerful and conversational on the phone, he's been a pleasure to deal with. We've not had the survey yet but it was booked in super quickly with no bother. Hopefully, the actual survey will be a continuation of the excellent service so far.PositiveResponsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value

Emma · 24 August 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Excellent service

Excellent communication

DS · 5 March 2026

★★★★★ 4/5

Google

Everything went smoothly just needed to communicate abit more but otherwise great experience.

Stix232 · 20 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Not Fit For Purpose

Watson's offered two types of survey to me on my house purchase, the regular and for three hundred more, the extensive so at £800 plus VAT I proceeded. What they failed to reveal was that their man wasn't ACTUALLY prepared to get up a ladder and ACTUALLY check the roof. An inspection via binoculars from the safety of the garden was the best I was going to get. 'The law precludes us going up beyond 9 meters' they declared in a snotty letter sent to me. Well access to my roof via a ladder was under 9 meters and had he had the balls to go up or get someone who was prepared to go up the ladder or even send up a drone like some companies do now he would have noticed a rotten botch job that needs totally replacing and is now going to cost me around £25,000 and a cost I would not have entertained before proceeding ahead with the purchase. Not happy!

Clive · 16 August 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Brilliant service, quick booking, competitive price and good advice from team

Aimee · 17 December 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Very lucky to have dealt with Kai Bourne many times, always incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, would highly recommend

Richard · 23 October 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Online booking was super easy

Online booking was super easy. Valuation was received quickly. Overall very good experience

Roxa · 1 February 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Joe has been a real help in pricing our survey and assisting with the booking process.

Dudley · 22 November 2023

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

When I spoke with the office before the…

When I spoke with the office before the survey I was concerned that the property had some cracks and I was advised to go for the level 3 most expensive survey as this would provide the information needed. However it simply said get structural engineer in and offered no information. Waste of money.

David · 28 June 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I am reluctant to do this, but I feel it necessary for the honest people who may choose to let a property from Watsons. Upon arrival at your property push the excitement of your new life to one side. Resist the temptation to start moving your belongings into the property and begin the process of settling in. Photograph everything. I mean everything. Photograph: • the garden • the condition of the external doors and all internal doors. • the condition of the windows and the window sills in all the rooms. • all patches of mould and mildew • the kitchen work surfaces • the hob • the cooker, internal and external • all taps • all plugs • all sinks • all carpets, pay particularly attention to the joins in the carpets • all pre-existing scratches and scuff marks • all broken tiles • the roof, pay close attention to any broken or missing tiles on the roof. Only when you have a photographic record of the property should you be the process of making the rent house your home. When ‘things’ began to go wrong with the property, my partner and I would contact Watsons. They have a turnaround time of anything between two weeks or several months to fix anything at the property. So be warned. The property we rented was a nice property with dated features i.e., taps many years old and in need of being replaced. Unbeknown to us the property had been rented to us with several broken roof tiles and a hole in the roof. This lead to us constantly fighting against mould. After 18 months in the property the roof was reconditioned, not replaced. As a result, the walls in the property were damp and we were fighting against mould and mildew outbreaks. My partner became frustration with the lack of professionalism or courtesy displayed by Watsons. We started to repair or replace things ourselves. A new wooden gate for example. We also called out a locksmith to change the lock on the main access door to the property. I paid the locksmith £120. I can’t fault the locksmith for his work. However, at the end of our tenancy when we were asked to comment on the check out report I made Watsons aware we had had a new locking mechanism put on the door. To my surprise approximately 24 hours later, I was emailed an outstanding invoice from Watsons on behalf of the locksmith. When challenged and evidence produced of payment, either the representative from Watsons or the locksmith can could up with a valid explanation. I could speculate, but I will leave you to decide which party is being honest. I would not recommend Watsons. The stress which was caused by their unprofessionalism was exhausting. Even when we were proactive to solve some of the many problems with the property ourselves, we are in line to ‘hit’ financially. Watsons are making myself and my partner financially accountable to the dated fixtures and dates fitting which were already at the property. Watsons are looking to take money from our security deposit in order to update the fixture and fittings. I have no doubt a certain locksmith would be asked to replace the locks.

Andrew · 20 June 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

Survey took 15 working days to be sent after the inspection, not the 5-10 set out in the terms and conditions. This was also only after multiple phone-calls to enquire as to when I would receive the report. My fears about the quality of the report, given it was being completed 3 weeks after the inspection day, were further raised by inaccuracies and mistakes in the survey. Expired EPC certificate/ratings being referenced in the report. A missing 0 on the reinstatement cost. Just sloppy and unprofessional. Would not recommend.NegativeQuality, Professionalism

Ian · 20 June 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

I genuinely hate leaving negative reviews for companies, but Watsons missed a major structural defect in my homebuyer's report, which has left me in an awful position. I think it is important to share my experience so that others can make an informed decision on whether to employ this company. Whereas I understand that mistakes can be made, my biggest concern is that Watsons subsequently refused to offer any support with the issue when I made them aware of it. The report they produced for me contained vague, wide-ranging disclaimers to avoid liability for not sufficiently inspecting rooms that contains stored items (i.e. every room!), rendering the homebuyers report they produced completely useless. In my opinion, choosing Watsons to carry out this report is one of the worst decisions I've ever made and I certainly would not recommend them to anyone.

Mark · 20 June 2022

★★★★★ 4/5

Google

Used recently to undertake a survey on a house purchase. Lee from the client services team dealt with organising the survey (liaising with the agents) very promptly. Unfortunately the seller had to move the original survey date and I was not informed by the company hence my knocking off a star (they said they had left a voicemail but I did not receive one, nor was the vm followed up with an email which I would consider standard practice). I received the survey report very promptly after it took place - in less than the 5 working days stated - which was much appreciated. Would recommend.

Charlotte · 20 June 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Watsons carried out a Level 2 Buyer report for us on a house in Overstrand - we made the request on November 10th and the survey was conducted eight days later, with the report arriving the following day. All the arrangements were made through David Watson and the survey itself was conducted by Rebecca Dams. It was all very easy to arrange and the report itself was extremely comprehensive, clear and easily understood. Couldn't ask for anything more and would happily recommend to anyone.

Michele · 20 June 2022

★★★★★ 1/5

Google

From check in to check out of the property we rented Watsons failed us. They are difficult to deal with, rude and completely uncooperative. 9am check in turned out to be a 1pm check in, new washing machine and mattress on the doorstep. During the tenancy any repairs needed if we did not discuss directly with the landlady they were not resolved. We were left with leaking water for a year, costing a small fortune as we were on a water metre. Watsons gave a token £50 refund. Check out is the 23rd January, they have been very rude and aggressive with regards to us leaving the property, then refuse to allow us to be at the check out. Doubt we will receive a deposit back, regardless of the fact we have decorated and left the house immaculately presented.NegativeProfessionalism

Alison · 20 June 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I was having work done on my property and my neighbour who had previously agreed to everything verbally chose to wait until the work began to kick off and start making ridiculous claims about where the boundary line was in an attempt to make a land grab in the disruption. I had called a few surveyor offices before getting to Watsons (alphabetical lists don't serve them well!) but Benji in the office was able to book a quick appointment for a visit, and two days later I had a report from their surveyor Chris Burton confirming where the boundary was and everything was able to resume. I was pleased, neighbour probably less so. A+, would ideally not like to have to use their services again but will if I have to. :)PositiveResponsiveness

John · 20 June 2022