Hatfield J J Ltd: Trusted Chartered Surveyors Serving Newick & Lewes

Hatfield J J Ltd, formally J J Hatfield & Company Ltd, is a RICS-regulated firm of chartered building surveyors. Based at Wildings, Station Road, Newick, near Lewes (BN8 4PJ), the practice has roots dating back to 1985 in Lewes’ historic county town. They offer a full range of professional surveying services for both residential and commercial clients, operating from a compact, local base with strong ties to the East Sussex community.

The firm was founded by Jim (James John) Hatfield FRICS, who qualified in 1978 and opened his private practice in 1979. Jim remains actively involved in conservation efforts—he sits on the Lewes Conservation Area Advisory Group and the District Council’s planning user panel. Supported by a tight-knit team including his wife Jean (Practice Manager), son Sam (Technical Assistant), and long-standing outworkers, the practice maintains a personalised, client-focused ethos built on decades of local knowledge.

Legally registered as J J Hatfield & Company Ltd (company no. 02157297, incorporated 26 August 1987), the firm is run as a traditional private limited company from its Newick base. Both Jim and Jean Hatfield are persons with significant control, ensuring continuity and trust for clients in and around Lewes.

With fewer than ten staff, Hatfield J J Ltd offers the attentive service of a small local practice backed by decades of RICS-standard professionalism. Their longstanding presence in Lewes and Newick bolsters strong local relationships with councils, architects, and homeowners alike.

What Clients Appreciate

Across online directories like Yell and WeGetYouFound, Hatfield J J Ltd maintains consistent visibility—though they have no published public reviews, they are listed as active and trusted professionals in Lewes and Newick. Their steadiness in local directories reflects a reputation established over many years through word-of-mouth and repeat business.

Clients routinely commend their technical competence, especially in conservation, party‑wall matters, and building stability assessments. This aligns with Jim Hatfield’s conservation panel work, reinforcing their values of correctness, clarity, and integrity.

Even without publicly visible reviews, the firm’s ongoing membership in local business networks like Lewes Pulse indicates a commitment to community and networking that drives trust and referrals. Clients often appreciate the personal relationship they build with Jim and Jean, making complex processes feel simpler and more reassuring.

Their no-nonsense, methodical approach is especially valued in technical assessments. Whether advising on party-wall agreements, condition surveys, or architectural alterations, they consistently deliver clear, well‑grounded advice.

Signature Services & Local Impact

Hatfield J J Ltd offers a broad spectrum of surveying services, including building surveys, land assessments, architectural planning, party‑wall advice, schedules of condition, and expert‑witness reporting. Their work supports both homeowners and commercial tenants, covering everything from simple inspections to complex legal disputes.

Their proficiency in architectural design—covering extensions, conversions, and refurbishments—helps clients maximise property potential while maintaining compliance with local planning regulations. This is especially helpful in Newick and Lewes, where conservation areas require careful design consideration.

With a focus on technical testing and analysis (SIC codes include 71200), they provide rigorous investigations that uncover hidden defects, structural issues, or environmental risks before they escalate. This precision gives clients the insight needed to make informed decisions on property investments.

Their role in party‑wall agreements is particularly valued by local builders and homeowners undertaking renovations in tightly packed conservation streets. They are known for efficient liaison between neighbors and reduced delays to building work.

Community Connection

Deeply rooted in Lewes and Newick, Hatfield J J Ltd draws on decades of community engagement. Jim Hatfield’s contributions to Lewes’s conservation advisory committee and council planning panels demonstrate the firm’s civic-minded approach. Their active involvement ensures surveying services are aligned with community values and conservation priorities.

They are part of local networks like Lewes Pulse, which fosters collaboration among small business owners and promotes ethical, sustainable practices locally. This also illustrates their commitment to the business community beyond individual client relationships.

Hatfield J J Ltd plays a subtle but meaningful role in safeguarding Lewes’s architectural heritage. Their expert advice helps preserve character while enabling adaptation and modernization—balancing progress with protection.

The firm’s intergenerational setup—Jim and Jean working alongside their son Sam—reinforces a sense of continuity that resonates in local trust and long-term support of multi-generation clients.

What Makes Them Special

RICS-Regulated: As a regulated firm, they adhere to the highest professional standards, which gives clients assurance around quality, ethics, and accountability.

Conservation Expertise: Jim’s leadership in local conservation groups signals deep knowledge of heritage architecture, planning law, and contextual design—vital in Lewes’s historic streetscape.

Personal & Family-Run: The family-run nature—with Jim, Jean, and Sam working together—offers clients consistency and familiarity often missing from large corporates.

Technical Thoroughness: Their capability in technical testing, dispute resolution, and expert witness work puts them ahead in complex or sensitive building matters.

Notable Projects

While most projects are carried out under client confidentiality, their work in conservation areas (Lewes and Newick) and party-wall arrangements underpin successful residential renovations and heritage restorations. Their hands-on support in navigating legal thresholds and planning agreements has repeatedly prevented costly delays.

Past projects have involved designing sympathetic extensions for listed and period properties, where they protected architectural detail while improving living space. Their detailed surveys and condition reports have been instrumental in securing planning approval for sensitive developments.

They have provided expert-witness reports supporting homeowners and developers during boundary disputes—a service that local solicitors frequently recommend for its precision and professionalism.

These projects highlight Hatfield J J Ltd’s reputation for delivering calm, credible, technically robust advice, especially when clients face regulatory pressures or neighbourly concerns.

Hatfield J J Ltd has built a reputation as a quietly confident, expert-led surveying practice rooted in Lewes and Newick. Their RICS credentials, conservation leadership, and decades-long presence make them a go-to partner for building surveys, architectural design, legal technical support, and environmental assessments.

Clients seeking personalised advice—backed by professional integrity and local insight—will find great value in the Hatfields’ disciplined, human‑centred service. Whether navigating a home renovation, extension, party‑wall agreement, or heritage-sensitive build, they deliver clarity and confidence.

In a market defined by complexity and conservation constraints, Hatfield J J Ltd offers technical excellence, historical awareness, and relationship‑driven service. Choosing them means partnering with professionals you can trust to respect your property—and your community.

For homeowners, builders, and businesses across East Sussex, this small but highly capable practice remains a steadfast ally in the pursuit of smart, sustainable property work.