About the Practice
A practice of building surveyors.
Idris & Coen is an independent RICS-regulated practice based in South Wales, offering considered building surveying advice for residential, commercial and mixed construction projects.
Founder
A practice built around the surveyor.
I'm Scott Short, founder of Idris & Coen. I've spent more than twenty years in construction — beginning my career as a quantity surveyor before moving into building pathology and building surveying, working across residential, commercial and mixed-use property.
I established the practice to provide independent building surveying advice without the bureaucracy often associated with larger firms.
Every instruction is handled personally, from first enquiry through to the completed report. You will speak to the surveyor inspecting your property — not a call handler, not a junior — and the advice you receive will be considered, technical and written in plain English.
We work for you, and only you. We don't accept introducer fees from agents, developers or insurers. The advice you receive is independent in the truest sense.
The Name
Idris & Coen.
The practice takes its name from the middle names of my two sons.
It reflects an intention to build a practice founded on long-term reputation rather than short-term growth — something considered, personal, and worth passing on.
Our Approach
Independent, technical, and written for you.
We are a deliberately focused practice. Every instruction is undertaken by an experienced building surveyor — never delegated — and every report is drafted with the same care we'd want for our own building.
With over 20 years' experience, we work across mixed construction projects: from period houses and modern residential developments to commercial premises, conversions and insurance reinstatement works. We're equally comfortable inspecting a Victorian terrace, a retail unit or a light industrial building.
Standards
Professional standards we hold ourselves to.
Experienced Building Surveyors
All surveyors are experienced building professionals and maintain continuing professional development.
RICS Home Survey Standard
Residential surveys are produced in line with the RICS Home Survey Standard.
Full PI Insurance
Our practice carries professional indemnity insurance to RICS-required levels.