Homebuyers Survey’s

It is advisable when buying a property to have a survey undertaken by a property professional to discover the potential problems and associated costs involved.

The report will provide a general opinion on quality and condition of the fabric of the building highlighting defects with suggested remedies. This information is essential in making an informed decision on a purchase and to assist negotiations.

Typical Problems

Cracked Roof Truss Beetle infestation timber perlin – Gibraltar Crack due to settlement of terrace areas Failure of waterproofing in basement area showing dampness in the wall Crack resulting from subsidence of lean to kitchen extension

Report Types

There are two types of report and both are based on the RICS approved Standard Survey report and are undertaken by a qualified Chartered Surveyor. The reports will include photographs and if required can be e-mailed directly to you within days. Reports are as follows: -

A). RICS House Buyers Report

A concise survey/valuation report providing information on the state of repair and condition of the property. The survey report covers those parts of the property which are readily visible and accessible including the roof space (if there is easy access by the loft hatch).

Overall, the report is based on the standard report recommended by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and will be subject to standard terms of engagement. We would normally be able to undertake the survey inspection within three working days from receipt of your signed instruction to proceed, subject to access arrangements being confirmed.

This report is intended for conventional properties in a reasonable state of repair and is restricted to areas of the property immediately accessible. The report focuses on urgent or significant defects and is designed to provide information necessary to help the homebuyer to decide whether or not to proceed with the purchase.

B). Building Survey Report

This is a more comprehensive report and provides a fuller picture of the condition of the building; it is appropriate for older properties or where the structure is suspected of being unsound. The Building Survey (Commonly known as a Structural Survey) is based on a very detailed examination of the property and is essentially a technical inspection and report.

The survey is a detailed visual examination of the physical condition of the building looking for signs of cracking, movement and deterioration.

The building will be examined as far as practicable, for evidence of wood rot and dampness, as well as the general condition of the interior finishes, fittings and services. The services will be inspected where visible and the report will include a general description. However, the full condition of the services can only be ascertained by specialist tests, which can be undertaken as part of the building survey.

The report will be prepared in a non-technical manner with photographs so as to be easily understood. The building survey provides a comprehensive report on the condition of the property, describing in detail any structural or other defects and where possible suggesting solutions and estimated costs.

A valuation is not normally included, but by prior arrangement we will usually be able to combine a valuation report with this survey.

Quotation

For further details and to obtain a quotation contact Paul Gibson either by e-mail or on telephone. Alternatively, why not use our enquiry form.

You can find more detailed information on the Homebuyer's survey on the RICS website. A guide to the Homebuyer