What type of Survey do I need?
Our guide will help you decide what type of house survey you require for your home.
Why do I need a survey for my home?
Purchasing a home is likely to be the biggest, most important purchase you will ever make, so you need professional expert advice to ensure your making a sound investment and to discover the extent of repair work that may be needed. The advice of a RICS Chartered Surveyor could give you the information needed to save you a huge amount of money in expensive repairs later on, and potentially allow you to renegotiate your house offer.
There are several types of survey, so you need to understand the differences between each type in order you pick the one that best meets your needs.
Our RICS Surveys will identify defects and assist your planning for necessary remedial work and will also prove useful for your insurance purposes.
What is a survey?
A survey is an inspection of a property's condition. There are 3 types of survey we offer, each with their own benefits, but the more extensive a survey is, the easier it will be to find out everything you need to know about the property you are interested in purchasing. Our surveys are performed by RICS Chartered Surveyors and they will provide you with clear, expert advice.
Our Surveyors will provide a thorough RICS approved report on completion of their survey.
Types of house survey
We offer 3 types RICS approved house surveys;
Level 1 - RICS Condition Report
Level 2 - RICS HomeBuyers Report
Level 3 - RICS Building Survey
The survey type that will be most appropriate for you will depend on a number of factors, such as the age, construction type and structural condition of your property. If you are purchasing an old property of over 40 years or you are planning to invest in a property which appears to be in a deteriorated condition, or where the basic structure has been converted or altered, you require a survey.
Here's a summary of our 3 Survey types:
Level 1: RICS Condition Report
Aimed at newer and conventional properties.
Description of property condition.
Identifies potenial risks and highlights urgent defects.
Uses simple "traffic light" system to clearly identify condition of key elements of the property.
Lowest cost of our 3 types of survey.
Level 2: RICS HomeBuyer Survey
Suitable for modern, conventional properties in reasonable condition. Can be suitable for older properties if in reasonable state or repair.
Includes all the features of the Condition Report although will go into more detail and provide on going maintenance advice.
Rates the condition of all permanent structures in the property.
Highlights important problems that could affect the property’s value.
Provides an overview of the condition of the services based on visual inspection.
Does not include a valuation unless you specifically request one.
Level 3: RICS Building Survey
Building Surveys, also known as Structural Surveys, are a more comprehensive, detailed inspection and assessment of the inside and outside of a building's structure, including both visual and non-visual aspects. The survey includes checks on all easily accessible areas such as roof or cellar space, underneath the floors etc. Also attention will be paid to any issues which compromise the structural integrity of the building like damping problems, dry rot, wood worm infestation or any potential hazards such as existence of large trees close to the structure. The Building Survey report will detail everything that the surveyor feels you ought to know about your property. It will include a list of all defects uncovered, their probable cause, level of significance (if they require immediate action or can be ignored for the time being), and recommends what is needed to fix these defects. It will also include technical details on construction of property, materials used and the like.
Suitable if your property is old, made of unconventional material (like thatch or timber), or if it has had, or you intend to undertake, extensive structural alterations.
A thoroughly detailed report and analysis of the property’s construction and condition.
The Building Survey is beneficial for dilapidated properties and those that have been extensively altered.
Thorough advice on defects and repairs and recommendations.
Includes advice for future maintenance.
Does not include a valuation unless you specifically request one.
CUSTOMER CARE
Our customer care team are ready to answer your questions.
If you need assistance call us on:
01732 220 598
Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
