Richard Fairs is a respected British building surveyor and heritage conservation specialist known for his deep expertise in preserving historic properties across the UK. As the founder of The Building Consultancy Ltd, he has spent decades helping clients protect and restore older buildings while maintaining their architectural integrity.
Although he has recently gained public attention due to his marriage to comedian and actress Miranda Hart, Richard’s reputation was built long before the headlines — through hard work, professionalism, and a genuine passion for architecture and heritage.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at who Richard Fairs is, his career journey, education, professional achievements, and why his approach to historic building conservation continues to inspire both professionals and property owners alike.
Who is Richard Fairs?
If you haven’t heard of him yet, Richard Fairs is a British chartered building surveyor and heritage–conservation specialist based in the UK, best known for founding The Building Consultancy Ltd. His work focuses on surveying, conservation and refurbishment of older properties, especially historic or listed buildings. In recent years he has gained additional public attention due to his marriage to British comedian and actress Miranda Hart.
Early Life & Education
Birth and upbringing
Richard Fairs was born in February 1964, making him around 61 years old in 2025. He hails from the Greater Bristol area in England. Although detailed information about his early childhood is scarce, it’s clear he developed an interest in buildings, architecture and structures from a young age.
University studies & early qualifications
He studied building surveying, earning a BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying from Thames Polytechnic (now University of Greenwich) in 1987. Later, he took a postgraduate diploma in Building Conservation (University of Reading / College of Estate Management) around 2002-04. These qualifications helped him specialize in heritage and conservation work.
Career Beginnings in Building Surveying
Early roles and gaining experience
Richard began his surveying career with roles such as trainee surveyor (from 1982) and held positions at firms like Rumball Sedgwick, Hogben Smith Barritt, and J Trevor & Sons. Through these years, he honed his skills in defect diagnosis, building surveys, refurbishment advice and project management.
Shift into heritage & conservation focus
Over time he gravitated toward older, historic and listed buildings — a niche area that requires not only technical surveying skills but also sensitivity to architecture, heritage regulations and conservation ethics. This became his distinguishing expertise.
Founding The Building Consultancy Ltd
Why he launched his own firm
In 1997, Richard launched The Building Consultancy Ltd in Bristol. His vision was to deliver high-quality, direct client service in surveying and conservation, combining technical rigour with integrity and personal involvement.
Services offered & niche specialization
The firm offers services including:
- Building condition surveys and defect analysis
- Dilapidation advice and leaseholder/landlord consultancy
- Historic building conservation, refurbishment and adaptive reuse
- Project design, procurement and refurbishment consultancy
Clients range from private homeowners to developers, landlords, insurers and heritage bodies.
Expertise in Historic Building Conservation
Key projects & types of clients
Richard has overseen numerous conservation and refurbishment projects — from country houses and listed buildings to commercial refurbishments. His experience involves diagnosing structural issues, advising on heritage-appropriate materials (e.g., lime plasters) and recommending adaptive reuse.
His philosophy: preserving heritage & sustainability
One key idea in his work: “each building has a story worth protecting.” He favours preserving original fabric rather than wholesale replacement, and values sustainable reuse of buildings as part of environmental responsibility.
Professional Credentials & Recognition
Certifications (MRICS, etc.)
Richard is a Chartered Building Surveyor (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – MRICS). He holds affiliations with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and the Association of Building Engineers (ABE).
Industry reputation
Within his field, he is known for his integrity, attention to detail, hands-on involvement in projects, and balanced approach between heritage and modernity. Although not a household name in the way celebrities are, his reputation in surveying and conservation circles is strong.
Personal Life & Public Profile
Marriage to Miranda Hart
In recent years, Richard attracted public attention for his relationship and subsequent marriage to Miranda Hart (British actress/comedy star). Although he keeps a relatively low public profile, the marriage brought him into broader awareness beyond the building world.
How he balances profession & private life
Despite increased media interest, Richard remains committed to his professional identity first—and tends to keep his personal life discreet. His work ethic and preference for substance over publicity align with his conservative, professional persona.
Why Richard Fairs Matters in the Building World
Why his conservation-first approach is important today
In an era where new build often dominates, Richard’s focus on adaptive reuse, preservation of historic fabric, and balancing sustainability with heritage offers a crucial counterpoint. Older buildings represent cultural history, embodied architecture and environmental savings (by reusing rather than demolishing).
What younger professionals can learn from him
- Expertise and specialization matter — he carved a niche in heritage and surveying.
- Integrity and client-focus win trust.
- Balance is possible: you can run a business, focus on high standards, and still maintain private life.
- The value of lifelong learning: his postgraduate specialization in conservation helped evolve his career.
Conclusion
Richard Fairs may not be a celebrity in the conventional sense, but in his realm of building surveying and heritage conservation he stands out as a quiet leader, combining technical excellence, professional ethics and a respect for history. His journey from trainee surveyor to owner of his own consultancy offers valuable lessons in specialization, commitment and integrity. Whether you’re a homeowner restoring an old building or a young professional mapping your path, his story is worthy of attention.
FAQs
1. What is Richard Fairs’ firm called?
His company is The Building Consultancy Ltd, based in Bristol, England.
2. What kind of buildings does Richard Fairs specialise in?
He specialises in historic, listed, or older buildings requiring conservation, refurbishment and adaptive reuse.
3. Is Richard Fairs married to Miranda Hart?
Yes — in recent years he married British actress/comedian Miranda Hart, attracting public interest.
4. What professional credentials does he hold?
He is a Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS), and holds a Diploma in Building Conservation among other qualifications.
5. Why is Richard Fairs significant in his field?
Because he combines technical surveying skills with heritage preservation, sustainability and client-centred service — offering a model of excellence in a specialized niche.
