Surveys:

Buying your own home is likely to be the largest investment you will ever make in your life and yet many people fail to have a survey carried out, in many cases believing that the mortgage valuation report (which is prepared solely for the benefit of the lending company) will suffice.  The fact is that the mortgage valuation report is solely for the purposes of the Lender and only checks that the property is worth an adequate amount to justify them lending the money and does not going into any great detail with regards defects. 

We would always recommend that some type of survey is undertaken.

Homebuyer's Survey and Valuation

The RICS HomeBuyer Report provides a reliable and cost effective report which will provide clear and concise advice regarding any serious problems and specific risks that need to be identified before you commit to the process of buying or selling a residential property.

An RICS HomeBuyer Report is a report that is fully backed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the industry's most respected authority on surveying. The report can only be undertaken by a RICS qualified Chartered Surveyor.

The RICS HomeBuyer Report is the ideal choice of survey if your property is:

The report is written and broken down into easy to understand sections which provide the following:

RICS HomeBuyer Reports are very useful for those considering buying a property, as they focus on building defects and issues that are urgent and are likely to have an effect on value.

The report:

For more information or a quotation please contact us and we will provide you with full details of the services available and the cost.

Building Surveys

What is a Building Survey?

A Building Survey is a comprehensive report which will detail any serious problems and specific risks before you commit to buying a residential property, or consider undertaking works to your property. The Building Survey can only be undertaken by an experienced RICS qualified Chartered Surveyor.

When is a Building Survey used?

A Building Survey is the ideal choice of survey:

·         For larger or older homes

·         For homes of a non conventional construction and/or those that have been altered

·         For homes in a poorer or rundown condition

·         Where major works are planned

What does a Building Survey include?

A Building Survey provides:

·         A detailed inspection of the property, outbuildings and grounds

·         Detailed information regarding the structure and fabric of the building

·         A summary of the risk associated with the condition of the building

·         Advice as to required repairs and ongoing maintenance

·         Information on other issues for your legal advisor to consider

Why should I have a Building Survey?

A Building Survey is an essential survey for any buyers considering purchasing larger, older or non conventionally constructed homes. The survey provides a comprehensive report detailing the condition of all structural aspects of your home. The report:

·         Allows you to make an informed judgement on whether or not to proceed with the purchase so as to avoid any unexpected expenditure when you have moved in

·         Highlights any decisions and actions that should be taken before contracts are exchanged

·         Assists you in predicting if any future maintenance expenditure is likely to be required

The Building Survey is very detailed, and gives a comprehensive report regarding the current condition of the property and is particularly useful when purchasing a property because:

• All defects to the property will be identified to allow you to budget accordingly.

• The likely costs involved in rectifying the main defects can be discussed after the survey; this therefore allows you room for negotiation on the purchase price of the property.

A Building Survey, which was formally known as a Structural Survey is considered the most thorough property survey available and can take a surveyor several hours to complete. This survey will examine all parts of a property in detail, and if you wish to have any further specific areas looked at, for example the feasibility of adding an extension or converting the loft space, then a Building Survey is the right choice.

The Building Survey is suitable for all types of property, including property that is listed, unusual or old. It is also the ideal survey if you wish to perform renovation work to the existing property or whether the property has already had extensions added to it and you want to ascertain their structural soundness.

The main details of the Building Survey will include:

• All major and minor faults found within the property, and the implications that these faults will have.

• Testing for dampness of the walls, and results for these tests.

• Testing of all woodwork for damp and woodworm, and the results of these tests.

• Investigation into the condition of damp proofing, insulation and drainage - although the drains will not actually be tested.

• Technical information about how the property was constructed, and all materials which were used in the process.

• Proposals for any further special inspections and subsequent work which may need to be done on the property, due to findings during the survey.

For more information or a quotation please contact us and we will provide you with full details of the services available and the cost.