Land valuing surveyor's fees

[smart51]

I've just had a quote from a surveyor to value a plot of land I'm considering valuing.  They said £800 + VAT which surprised me.  I didn't think that much work was involved.  

 

I asked for a valuation both as is and with planning permission for a single house.  Their reply was that as the land currently has a scout hut on it, that it is planning category F which they cannot value.  But they would be willing to provide a 'residual valuation' the land on the assumption that residential planning was granted.  They suggested that the land may have more value under its current planning category.

 

Given all this, I'm surprised at the quote.  What would a land valuation usually cost?

[Kelvin]

Every ‘professional’ fee seems to be about £1000 inc VAT. Get some more quotes. 

[smart51]

When I worked for an engineering design consultancy, my time was charged out at £400 a day.  With inflation, call it £450.  I was in the wrong field, obviously.

[Drellingore]

Hi - did you (or anyone else) get any better figures on this? Presumably a surveyor's estimate is going to be required for self-build mortgages, and an estate agent's valuation wouldn't be valid?