How NIVEK Surveying Services enables efficient Client Management and Reporting with Surventrix

NIVEK Surveying Services

Website:
www.niveksurveyors.com

Services:
Level 2 Survey, Level 3 Survey, RICS Red book Valuations.

NIVEK Surveying Services is a family-run business based in the East Midlands, offering RICS Surveys and Valuations.

The firm is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA). As a private practice, it’s dedicated to providing clients with the highest quality service.

Surventrix spoke with Director and surveyor Matthew Bridges about his journey with the CRM and reporting technology. 

Background:

Matthew studied Sports Management at university, and soon realised it wasn’t for him. A family member worked for a large corporate surveying firm and joined as an office administrator. Matthew joined a trainee surveyor programme in 2013. In 2015, he qualified as a surveyor and became Regional Operations Manager. 

When the property market weakened in March 2023, the role was made redundant. It was then that he decided to start his own business.

Matthew said: 

‘’My accountant asked if I had ever considered operating solo. It was from there that I realised that it was something I had always wanted to do but the timings were never right. I still loved surveying and now was the right time to go for it."

My mentor became solo a few years before me. He was in his 60’s when he took the leap. When I asked him how he was getting on he said his biggest regret was not starting out sooner. He said: If I don't do it now, I’ll never know. If I fail I'll just retire. This gave me confidence to do it."

When I asked him how he was getting on he said his biggest regret was not starting out sooner. He said: If I don't do it now, I’ll never know. If I fail I'll just retire.

How does NIVEK Surveying Services promote the company?

My goal is to self-generate my own work, so speaking to people and getting my name out there. If you can make it work in a quiet market, you’re doing something right. It's about sowing seeds and ensuring the right type of work comes in, so I can be selective. My goal is to stay focused on what I know in the East Midlands area.

What works well for you?  

Networking is key for surveyors. If they can't help you, you have to think about who do they know that can help me? You get access to their little black book of contacts which is fantastic. If you only meet people once, they won't recommend you; you need to pursue and give as much as you can to them. It has opened up a lot of doors and I've really enjoyed the process. Fortunately, our demand increases month by month because of our efforts. 

What are your plans for the business?

We plan on growing the administrative side of the business, so we can focus on more ambitious projects. To make the leap, I need to justify growing at the right time. When I started the business, there was no book that explained all the other stuff you had to do on the side. Having support to do some of that will be the next stage.

What support do you have in the business?

I work with a consultant who has worked in the industry for 30 years. They provide key feedback and support to grow my business.

What type of clients do you enjoy working with?

When it comes to supporting first-time buyers with surveys, I am passionate about giving them all the information, contacts, and assistance they need.

I work with many mortgage advisors and have been introduced to First Time buyers through them. I’m always happy to help them even though I’m last in the chain. It’s all about the relationship. 

How did you hear about Surventrix?

I found out about Surventrix on LinkedIn. Surventrix was on my mind before starting my business. What sold the platform to me was Ian Bullock. He's a genuine person with expert surveying knowledge, who wants the best for his customers. I signed up for Surventrix on the first call and knew I was in safe hands.  

In your opinion, what is the best thing about Surventrix?

What I like most about Surventrix is that they are always improving. With previous vendors, you waited a year before updates came and saw no effect for the end user. The Surventrix team always tries to make surveyors' lives easier. For example, with the recent Rightmove SCT, image library additions, Sprift integration and payment platform. 

While on site, I like to use the iPad to sync with my computer, and then type the report on it. Working on a project with an iPad is amazing because you can see all the photos at once. The more time you put into the standard paragraphs, the easier Surventrix and Surveying becomes. It makes it quick and easy to use. 

Having come from a corporate background, it just shows how much more agile small businesses can be with technology. In my previous role, managing numerous logins, along with numerous other systems was a nightmare. With Surventrix having everything in one place including CRM, reporting and payments is convenient and saves a lot of time.

What advice would you give to anyone starting a new surveying business?

Have confidence in yourself. There's a group of us that are all independent firms. Independent businesses must work hard to succeed, but there's enough work for everyone. Get out to networking events. People will always want to help you.