By 
The beginning
An expert in building surveying and conservation, Richard Fairs is a name that most people didn’t know until lately. He has built his business on accuracy, trust, and practical restoration as the founder and director of The Building Consultancy Ltd. Richard’s marriage to comedian Miranda Hart brought him unexpectedly into the public eye, but he is still very dedicated to his job, showing that quiet success can still have a lasting effect.
With more than 40 years of experience in property diagnosis, heritage conservation, and business consulting, Fairs’ legacy isn’t measured by news but by the fact that he has helped clients, saved listed buildings, and motivated people to start their own careers. From being a trainee surveyor to a well-rounded expert in his field and a quiet public figure, this piece looks at his life.
Schooling and Early Goals
Having studied building science in school
Richard started his career at Thames Polytechnic, which is now the University of Greenwich. In 1987, he got a BSc in Building Surveying with honors. He became interested in building integrity and structure at a young age, which is why he chose an apprenticeship model over a merely academic one.
He later went on to become even more specialized by getting a Diploma in Building Conservation in 2004. This academic path helped him learn more about old buildings and find a job that fit his interests in heritage preservation, an area he would later master.
Beginnings and Schooling
Richard started out as a trainee at Rumball Sedgwick in Watford in 1982. He quickly became known for being accurate and persistent. During his training, he learned how to evaluate conditions, find problems, and fix things in the real world. These were skills that came in very handy when he became a leader.
He worked for Hogben Smith Barritt in London and then for J Trevor & Sons after his first job. The different kinds of properties he saw, from business units in cities to listed cottages in the country, shaped the way he would do consulting in the future.
Progress in your career and running a business
The Building Consultancy Ltd.: A Dream Come True
Richard Fairs made a big move in 1997 when he started The Building Consultancy Ltd in Bristol. There was a simple idea behind it: provide high-quality, individualized building surveying advice without the red tape of large companies. He wanted to put professional honesty ahead of business growth.
Building condition studies, conservation planning, dilapidation reports, and leasehold advice are what the company does best. Even though it’s a small business, property developers, insurers, and private renters all over southern England have trusted it for a long time.
Leadership that is honest
Richard doesn’t just run his business; he also leads with purpose and accountability. People know him for keeping involved in projects, giving practical advice, and talking to clients in a clear way. Honesty, openness, and professional skill are important to him, and they have shaped his brand for 25 years.
Even though the national press is interested in Richard now, he is still more interested in buildings than in business news. The quiet strength that defines his job shows up in the work he does every day.
Notoriety in public and private life
Getting married to Miranda Hart: From Surveyor to Star
Richard started a whole new life when he married Miranda Hart, a British actor, actress, and writer, in 2024. They met while Hart was working on a mold cleanup job at her house during the COVID lockdowns. Hart wrote about this strange start to her relationship in her memoir.
After Hart casually told the whole country on TV that they were getting married, their private wedding in Hampshire in July 2024 became gossip news. Richard was shocked by the attention at first, but he has dealt with it with the same calmness he brings to his work.
How to Balance Fame and Privacy
Even though he is now more well known, Richard keeps a low profile. His kids from a past marriage aren’t talked about in the news, and his relationship with Hart isn’t talked about in the tabloids either. This mix between public interest and private privacy shows that he has always valued privacy and professionalism.
Notoriety in public and private life
Getting married to Miranda Hart: From Surveyor to Star
Richard started a whole new life when he married Miranda Hart, a British actor, actress, and writer, in 2024. They met while Hart was working on a mold cleanup job at her house during the COVID lockdowns. Hart wrote about this strange start to her relationship in her memoir.
After Hart casually told the whole country on TV that they were getting married, their private wedding in Hampshire in July 2024 became gossip news. Richard was shocked by the attention at first, but he has dealt with it with the same calmness he brings to his work.
How to Balance Fame and Privacy
Even though he is now more well known, Richard keeps a low profile. His kids from a past marriage aren’t talked about in the news, and his relationship with Hart isn’t talked about in the tabloids either. This mix between public interest and private privacy shows that he has always valued privacy and professionalism.
Core Areas of Knowledge and Work Ethics
Master of Arts in Conservation and Heritage
What makes Richard unique is that he specializes in historic buildings. He offers services like listed-building consent applications, structural viability reports, and conservation strategies to help his customers keep the balance between modern usability and historic integrity.
His help is more trustworthy because he has a diploma from RICS in building conservation. Richard is one of the few people who can help landlords and developers bring old homes back to life by combining practical knowledge with heritage awareness.
Celebrity status and private life
From surveyor to spotlight: marriage to Miranda Hart
With the wedding of British actor, actress, and writer Miranda Hart in 2024, Richard started a whole new chapter in his life. They started dating while Hart was working on a mold cleanup job at her house during the COVID lockdowns. Hart wrote about this strange start to her relationship in her memoir.
Hart casually announced their marriage on national TV in July 2024, weeks after their secret wedding in Hampshire. Although the notice at first surprised Richard, he has dealt with it with the same calmness he brings to his work.
Keeping their privacy while being famous
Despite becoming more well-known, Richard keeps a low presence. The media doesn’t talk about his kids from a previous marriage, and his relationship with Hart is attempted to stay out of the press as much as possible. His long-held choice for privacy and professionalism is shown by this balance between public interest and private respect.
Focus areas of knowledge and work ethics
Master’s in Environmental and Heritage Protection
Different from other contractors, Richard specializes in historic houses. His services include listed-building consent applications, structural viability reports, and conservation strategy help his customers keep the balance between modern usability and historic integrity.
With his RICS-accredited diploma in building conservation, he can give you authoritative help. Historic properties can be brought back to life by landlords and developers with Richard’s unique mix of practical knowledge and historical awareness.
In conclusion
Richard Fairs is a unique kind of professional—he has had real success without giving in on anything. He has led with honesty, skill, and determination, from his humble beginnings in Watford to building a well-known consulting firm in Bristol. Being married has made him more well-known, but that hasn’t changed who he is at his core: a hands-on inspector who takes buildings and people seriously.
In a noisy world, Richard Fairs tells us that the most important work is often the quiet ones.
Q&A
What is Richard Fairs?
Richard Fairs started The Building Consultancy Ltd. and is a chartered building inspector from Britain. He works in projects that protect and preserve heritage.
What does Richard Fairs stand for?
He is married to the British actress Miranda Hart and is known for his work in restoring old buildings.
What kinds of jobs does he do?
Building surveys, conservation planning, dilapidation reports, and lease advisory work for both private and business clients are all handled by his company.
Where does The Building Consultancy have its office?
People from all over the South of England can hire The Building Consultancy Ltd., which is based in Bristol, England.
Is Richard Fairs still working as a professional?
Yes, Richard is still the managing head of his company in 2025. His main job is to provide expert and useful surveying services.