The Surveyor of Buildings [1] also known as the Department of the Surveyor of Buildings was the civil officer initially a member of the Navy Board then later the Board of Admiralty responsible for superintending, maintaining and improving the British Royal Navy Dockyards, Naval Buildings, and Architectural Works [2] of the Admiralty from 1812 to 1837.

[4] In 1806 the Commissioners of Enquiry for Revising and Digesting the Civil Affairs of the Royal Navy produced a fourth report (since 1785) in which they recommended the abolition of the Inspector-Generals Department as a semi-autonomous function and recommended the role be re-styled and its responsibilities broadened.

[6] In 1813 the title and role was changed to Surveyor of Buildings whose responsibilities shifted focus towards architectural works.

[7] In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and its role and responsibilities were merged into the Admiralty.

In 1837 following restructuring the surveyors department was abolished and its functions merged into a new Architectural and Engineering Works Department[8] under a Director of Naval Works who then reported to the Civil Lord of the Admiralty.