Surveying Services

Why Do I Need a Survey?

Buying a property, whether it be a new home, a new business or as an investment, is likely to be the most expensive purchase you will make. Buying a property is a complex process and you need to be sure you are getting the best advice possible. Buildings are themselves highly complex, involving a wide range of materials and structures all interacting with each other as well as an intricate provision of plumbing, heating, electricity and drainage. As a result they require ongoing maintenance and can often hide a number of areas of disrepair which could prove very expensive to rectify. These can range from inadequate construction or dampness right through to leaking pipework or rotten timberwork.

In order to be sure you are paying a reasonable amount for the property you need to know up front whether any costly repairs are evident. A survey will give you this information and, depending on the service you require, can provide you with a professional assessment of what the property is actually worth, taking account of its condition so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed. A survey can save you thousands of pounds.

I’m Already Paying for a Mortgage Valuation

A Mortgage Valuation is not a survey. The mortgage lender often calls it a survey as it is carried out by a surveyor but this is confusing. It is a limited check aimed at letting the lender know whether it is suitable to lend the money on a property. The surveyor is acting for the lender, who does not require detailed information as to condition. Areas of concern that the surveyor notices during the inspection may well not be included in the valuation report. It is therefore in your interests to commission an independent survey which is designed to protect your interests. Both the Council of Mortgage Lenders and Which? give this advice.

What Type of Survey Do I need?

When buying a house there are three types of survey you can have: A comprehensive Building Survey; a RICS Homebuyer Report and a RICS Condition Report.

The RICS level 3 Building Survey is suitable for any type of house and involves a very detailed inspection and report.

The RICS level 2 Survey, also known as the Homebuyer Report, is in prescribed form designed by the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) to offer a more economical survey which will outline areas of major concern in conventional houses. It is suitable for houses of conventional construction and of less than one hundred years old which appear to be in a reasonable condition. The report is limited to significant and urgent matters rather than providing all the detail of a Building Survey. It also includes a valuation as standard. It is not considered suitable for period dwellings or those of unusual construction requiring specialist knowledge. Clearly a 16th Century thatched cottage requires a more detailed inspection and would require a more comprehensive Building Survey.

The RICS level 1 Survey, also know as the Condition Report is also commissioned by the RICS.  It is in a very similar format to the Homebuyer Report, but is less detailed with limited advice.  While the report contains condition ratings and detail on every aspect of the property, it is an assessment of current condition only, and does not provide a valuation or an assessment of reinstatement costs.  For homebuyers, the report provides a cheaper way of ensuring there are no areas of significant disrepair or concern.