Choosing The Right Survey
We can help
Choosing the right survey will help highlight any pre-existing or potential problems and advise you of the risks and financial implications before you commit to the process of buying or selling a property.
We can offer five different building surveys, including a choice of tailor-made additional services that aim to both meet your requirements and budget.
Buying a Home
Did you know…
A mortgage lender’s valuation report only establishes whether the property is reasonable security for your loan, and this should not be mistaken for a survey.
Mortgage valuations are increasingly being undertaken as desktop exercises, without a physical inspection. As a result, there could be a greater risk of defects or serious issues which could have a detrimental effect on the property’s market value, or worst case, current and future mortgageability.
How can we help…
A survey will assess and confirm the condition of the property, highlighting anything that you need to be aware of before legal commitment to purchase.
For a small additional fee, you have the option to include an RICS market valuation within either the Home Buyer Survey (RICS Home Survey Level 2) or Building Survey (RICS Home Survey Level 3) reports.
To ensure that your building insurance reinstatement figure is adequate, for a small additional fee, you have the option to include a ‘BCIS’ (Building Cost Information Service Construction Data) rebuilt cost.
A L2 or L3 survey of your home before you sell it can highlight any pre-existing or potential problems that may complicate or delay the sale and potentially result in price reductions.
During your ownership, the condition of your home will change, and a L2 or L3 survey of its condition will, in the same way as a pre-purchase survey, highlight defects and other issues to help avoid escalating repair and maintenance costs.
A survey of your home before you sell it can highlight any pre-existing or potential problems that may complicate or delay the sale and potentially result in price reductions.
Home Buyer Survey
A Home Buyer Survey, or RICS Home Survey Level 2, is designed to reflect the condition of a modern/ traditional property, built using standard construction materials and techniques, which presents in reasonable condition. The survey will provide:
- A detailed visual inspection of the property, utility services and grounds.
- Whilst the utility services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation with permission, or where it is safe to do so.
- Assesses the general condition of the individual building elements.
- Describes the condition of the elements, provides an explanation and the importance of any defects, issues or risks.
- Easy to read and informative reporting style with annotated photographs.
- From £350.00 (VAT not applicable).
+ Optional RICS Market valuation for £150.00 (VAT not applicable).
+ Optional BCIS Rebuild cost for insurance purposes for £50.00 (VAT not applicable).
+ Or, both additional services for £175.00 (VAT not applicable).
Building Survey
A Building Survey, or RICS Home Survey Level 3, is an essential survey for an older/ dated or run-down property, a building that has been substantially altered or extended, listed or built using non-traditional methods and materials. The survey will provide:
- An extensive visual inspection of the property, utility services and grounds.
- Whilst the utility services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation with permission, or where it is safe to do so.
- Detailed description of the individual building elements, construction materials/ techniques and explains the importance of any defects, issues or risks.
- Explains potential risks that could arise from areas not accessible for inspection.
- Identifies the most likely cause(s) of any defects or issues.
- Outlines the scope of any remedial work and explains the likely consequences of non-repair.
- Prioritises any remedial work and (where possible) provides indicative estimated costs, urgency, further advice or recommendations.
- A comprehensive and concise report with annotated photographs throughout.
- From £550.00 (VAT not applicable).
+ Optional RICS Market valuation for £150.00 (VAT not applicable).
+ Optional BCIS Rebuild cost for insurance purposes for £50.00 (VAT not applicable).
+ Or, both additional services for £175.00 (VAT not applicable).
Defect Survey
A survey designed specifically for homeowners who are concerned about a property related matter such as a recent change, damage, defect or damp. The survey will provide:
- A detailed visual or intrusive inspection and assessment of a specific element.
- An explanation of the severity and further consequences of the issue.
- Advice and recommendations regarding remedial work or further investigation.
- A short report with annotated photographs reporting the findings and further advice.
- From £150.00 (VAT not applicable).
New Build Snagging
The perfect survey for any newly constructed property. The survey will:
- Identify anything that falls below a good standard of workmanship.
- Identify anything which has not been completed to the specification agreed.
- Identify work which breaches building regulations or other laws.
- A clearly annotated and photographic report listing the findings.
- From £400.00 (VAT not applicable).
Buy To Let Survey
An equivalent Home Buyer (Level 2) survey designed to reflect the condition of a modern/ standard property in reasonable condition that is, or will be, let to tenants. The survey will:
- Help landlords understand and protect their investment while safeguarding the safety of the home for tenants.
- Consideration of Health & Safety matters that may impact tenants including all 29 hazard profiles identified in the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS)*.
- A separate DASH – Decent & Safe Homes hazard review report.
- A detailed visual inspection of the property, utility services and grounds.
- Assesses and describes the condition of the individual building elements, and provides an explanation and urgency of any defects, issues or risks.
- Easy to read and informative reporting style with annotated photographs.
- From £500.00 (VAT not applicable).
*Does not include a full assessment of hazard scores as defined by HHSRS.
If you have any questions, require a FREE quote, or would appreciate a helpful conversation
