Countrywide Surveying Services launches virtual inspection tool

Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) has announced the launch of SurveySphere, a new virtual inspection tool designed to enhance the speed, accuracy and consistency of non physical valuations.

SurveySphere enables CSS surveyors to complete secure, guided video inspections in real time, using a mobile device in the property occupier’s hands. During the virtual appointment, the surveyor directs the call, confirms property characteristics, captures visuals, and identifies potential risks - all without needing to drive to or step inside the home.

This enhanced inspection approach provides surveyors with more visual data than a traditional desktop valuation, enabling them to make more confident decisions for lenders and their borrowers.

Every survey instruction is pre-assessed using automated risk scoring and property data analysis to confirm whether a virtual inspection is appropriate. Suitable cases proceed virtually and those that require further review are escalated to protect both lenders and consumers.

SurveySphere follows on from the launches last year of QualityShield, an advanced automated risk management solution based on robotic process automation (RPA) designed to enhance precision, efficiency, and real-time decision-making and Geoconnect, a new decisioning engine designed to deliver faster, smarter, and more informed valuation outcomes for lenders, valuers and property professionals.

Matthew Cumber, managing director at Countrywide Surveying Services, commented: “We are investing significantly in the latest technology to ensure we are providing market leading solutions to help lenders’ manage property risk. SurveySphere follows on from last year’s launches of QualityShield and Geoconnect and more developments are planned in 2026 to help us deliver a quicker, better and more cost-effective valuation and survey proposition for lenders and their borrowers.

“Working with several lenders on SurveySphere has given us the opportunity to refine the proposition which combines smart technology with our surveying expertise, robust data models, and intelligent triage. Every case is pre-assessed using risk scoring and property data analysis to confirm whether a desktop approach is appropriate. This technology has been designed to enhance professional judgement, not replace it.”