Richard Fairs – The Accomplished Chartered Building Surveyor and Husband of Miranda Hart
Who is Richard Fairs?
Richard Fairs is a highly respected Chartered Building Surveyor from the Greater Bristol area, United Kingdom. With an impressive career spanning over three decades, he has built a solid reputation for excellence in building conservation, refurbishment, and property consultancy. As the Owner of The Building Consultancy, he has provided expert advice and professional surveying services to both commercial and private clients across the UK.
In recent years, his name has gained additional public attention as the husband of British actress and comedian Miranda Hart, star of the beloved BBC sitcom Miranda. Despite his growing public profile, Richard Fairs has remained grounded, continuing his professional work while maintaining a private and modest personal life.
Early Life and Education of Richard Fairs
Richard Fairs was born in February 1964, making him 61 years old as of 2025. He has always demonstrated a deep interest in architecture, design, and the conservation of historic buildings — passions that led him towards a career in building surveying.
He pursued his higher education at the University of Greenwich, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Building Surveying between 1984 and 1987. Determined to enhance his expertise, he later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Building Conservation from the University of Reading’s College of Estate Management between 2002 and 2004.
This combination of practical and academic training gave him the foundation to specialise in both modern construction and the preservation of historic architecture — two areas that continue to define his professional identity.
Professional Career: The Building Consultancy and Beyond
The Early Years (1982–1997)
Richard Fairs began his career as a Trainee Building Surveyor at Rumball Sedgwick between 1982 and 1985. This role provided him with invaluable hands-on experience in property assessment, construction monitoring, and client liaison.
He later joined Hogben Smith Barritt as a Graduate Building Surveyor from 1987 to 1988, where he further honed his technical skills. In 1989, he moved to J Trevor & Sons (later J Trevor & Webster), working as a Building Surveyor for eight years. During this period, he gained extensive exposure to dilapidation advice, refurbishment design, and project management, building the professional confidence that would eventually lead him to start his own firm.
The Building Consultancy: A Legacy of Excellence (1997–Present)
In September 1997, Richard Fairs founded The Building Consultancy, headquartered in Bristol. The company has since become a trusted name in the surveying and property consultancy industry.
With over 28 years of leadership, he continues to guide the firm as its Owner and Managing Director, delivering professional advice to a wide portfolio of clients. The consultancy’s services include:
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Building conservation and refurbishment
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Historic building assessment and preservation
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Dilapidation advice and property condition reports
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Project design and procurement for new constructions
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Reuse and adaptive redesign of existing buildings
Under his leadership, The Building Consultancy has become known for its integrity, attention to detail, and technical excellence. Clients praise the firm’s balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainability standards — a reflection of Richard Fairs’s forward-thinking yet preservationist philosophy.
Professional Recognition and Expertise
Credentials and Affiliations
Richard Fairs is a Chartered Building Surveyor with more than 22 years of post-qualification experience. His qualifications include:
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BSc (Building Surveying) – University of Greenwich
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Postgraduate Diploma (Building Conservation) – University of Reading
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Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
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Member of the Association of Building Engineers
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Affiliate Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
His strong academic background and active professional memberships have established him as a respected authority within the British surveying community.
Specialist Areas of Work
Throughout his career, Richard Fairs has specialised in:
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Historic Building Conservation – advising on repair, refurbishment, and preservation of heritage sites across the UK.
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Dilapidation Advice – helping property owners and tenants understand their responsibilities at lease-end, reducing disputes and financial risks.
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Adaptive Reuse of Buildings – promoting sustainable approaches to urban regeneration by repurposing existing structures for new uses.
His focus on conservation and sustainability demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that aligns with modern environmental priorities while respecting Britain’s architectural heritage.
Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart: A Private Love Story
How They Met
The relationship between Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart began in a rather unexpected way. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Richard was called to inspect and treat a mould problem at Miranda’s home in West London. What started as a routine professional visit soon evolved into a close friendship and eventually, a romantic connection.
Their first date reportedly took place over a simple pizza dinner — a story that Miranda has fondly shared in interviews. From that moment, the pair realised they shared a deep sense of humour, warmth, and compatibility.
Marriage and Life Together
After several years together, Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart tied the knot in July 2023 at St Peter and St Paul Church in Hambledon, Hampshire. The wedding was intimate, attended by close friends and family, and featured light-hearted touches like a Hawaiian-themed celebration complete with inflatable flamingos and a steel band.
Miranda revealed her marriage publicly during an appearance on BBC’s The One Show in October 2024, describing herself as “thrilled to be a young bride at 51.” She affectionately referred to Richard as her “best friend,” expressing gratitude for finding someone with whom she could truly “do life.”
Since their marriage, the couple has kept a low profile, valuing privacy over publicity. Miranda continues her successful career in entertainment, while Richard remains dedicated to his surveying practice in Bristol.
Richard Fairs Age and Personal Qualities
At 61 years old, Richard Fairs embodies professionalism, integrity, and humility. Colleagues describe him as detail-oriented, empathetic, and exceptionally knowledgeable — qualities that have earned him long-term trust from clients.
Despite being thrust into the public eye due to his marriage to Miranda Hart, he remains modest and focused on his craft. His calm demeanour and genuine approach to both business and relationships reflect the steady balance between career success and personal fulfilment.
Impact on the Industry and Legacy
Over nearly four decades, Richard Fairs has contributed significantly to the UK’s surveying and construction sectors. His work demonstrates how technical expertise, ethical practice, and passion for conservation can coexist harmoniously.
By championing sustainable building methods and the responsible reuse of existing structures, he has influenced a generation of property professionals to value heritage while embracing innovation. His leadership at The Building Consultancy ensures that his philosophy of quality, care, and respect for the built environment will continue for years to come.
FAQs
1. How old is Richard Fairs?
Richard Fairs was born in February 1964, which makes him 61 years old as of 2025.
2. Who is Richard Fairs?
Richard Fairs is a Chartered Building Surveyor from the Greater Bristol Area, UK, and the Owner of The Building Consultancy, a firm specialising in historic building conservation and property consultancy.
3. Who is Richard Fairs married to?
He is married to Miranda Hart, the popular British actress, comedian, and writer best known for her BBC sitcom Miranda.
4. When did Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart get married?
The couple married in July 2023 at St Peter and St Paul Church, Hambledon, in a private ceremony later revealed publicly by Miranda Hart in October 2024.
5. What is Richard Fairs best known for professionally?
Professionally, Richard Fairs is known for his expertise in building conservation, dilapidation advice, and the reuse of historic buildings, leading his firm successfully for over 28 years.
Conclusion: The Dual Life of Professionalism and Partnership
Richard Fairs represents the quintessential British professional — skilled, ethical, and quietly impactful. As a Chartered Building Surveyor, his dedication to excellence and heritage conservation has made him a trusted figure in his field. As Miranda Hart’s husband, he has captured public interest through a genuine and grounded love story that blossomed from an ordinary encounter into a lifelong partnership.
His life reflects balance — between tradition and innovation, public attention and personal privacy, professional mastery and human warmth. Whether in the meticulous restoration of historic buildings or the steady support he offers his wife, Richard Fairs stands as a figure of integrity and devotion.
