Ruth Semple MRICS
Founded and led by Ruth Semple, Ruth Semple Building Surveying has built a strong reputation for providing professional, independent surveying advice to property buyers and owners across France. With more than 30 years’ experience in the construction and property sector, Ruth combines technical expertise with a practical, client-focused approach, helping clients make informed decisions when purchasing, renovating or maintaining French property.
As a Chartered Building Surveyor and member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Ruth operates to the highest professional standards. Her practice is fully RICS regulated, giving clients confidence that all work is carried out with professionalism, integrity and transparency.
Based in the South of France, Ruth works with both international and French clients across the country. Her bilingual capability is a significant advantage for overseas buyers navigating the French property market. Fluent in French, she is able to liaise directly with local tradespeople, agents and diagnostic specialists, helping to bridge the communication gap that many foreign buyers experience when purchasing property abroad.
The company specialises in a wide range of residential surveying services, including pre-purchase building surveys, defect analysis, property condition reports and maintenance advice. Ruth is particularly experienced in identifying structural concerns, moisture issues, roofing defects and renovation risks — areas that are especially important when dealing with older French properties, farmhouses and rural homes. Her surveys are designed to provide clients with clear, practical guidance and peace of mind before committing to a purchase.
One of the defining qualities of Ruth Semple Building Surveying is its highly personal service. Unlike larger surveying practices, clients work directly with Ruth throughout the process, ensuring continuity, accessibility and detailed attention from initial enquiry through to the final report. This hands-on approach has helped the company establish strong relationships with clients seeking trustworthy, impartial advice in what can often be a complex and unfamiliar property market.
The practice also understands the emotional and lifestyle investment involved in purchasing property in France. Whether clients are relocating permanently, investing in a holiday home or planning a renovation project, Ruth aims to provide advice that is both technically detailed and easy to understand. Her reports are tailored to support practical decision-making, highlighting both urgent concerns and longer-term maintenance considerations.
In addition to surveys, Ruth often assists clients in understanding the French diagnostic reporting system and the practical implications of survey findings. This broader advisory role reflects her commitment to supporting clients beyond a standard inspection, helping them feel informed and confident throughout the buying process.
With decades of industry experience, strong professional accreditation and in-depth knowledge of French property, Ruth Semple has positioned her business as a trusted specialist for anyone seeking independent building surveying expertise in France. Through a combination of technical knowledge, local understanding and personalised client care, Ruth Semple Building Surveying continues to support buyers and homeowners in protecting and maximising their property investments.
