Residential Property Surveys

Why have a property survey?

Did you know? Although your lender will usually require you to pay for a valuation report, it only answers the lender's questions about the appropriate security of your loan. Although it is often called a 'Survey' this is incorrect.

You cannot rely on it to highlight any defects or provide you with a detailed report on the condition of the property.

Both Which? and the Council of Mortgage Lenders advise that all buyers should commission an independent survey and report on the condition of a property before buying.

Which? found that for those people who did not get a survey, on average one in four had to spend over £2,500 to put serious defects right which would have been identified in a condition survey. For one in ten people it was over £10,000. By contrast, those that did get a proper survey were able to negotiate a reduction in the asking price of the property that averaged £2,000.

Home Buyer/Condition Survey (Level 2)

The most popular type of survey. A survey report format designed to reflect the condition of a traditional property that is more modern, of standard construction and not too big or complicated.

Based on a detailed visual assessment of the property being inspected.
Important issues such as structural movement, damp, rot or woodworm are quickly identified with colour coded ratings.
Appropriate photos and diagrams to clarify understanding.
You will receive a full debrief once the inspection has taken place.

This level of report is unlikely to be suitable for older, listed, complex, extended or non standard construction (Please call to discuss if you are unsure of the appropriate type/level of inspection required)

Building Survey (Level 3)

This report is the result of a much more substantial, visual, inspection of the property.

It includes all the benefits of a Home Survey/Condition Survey (level 2) along with more comprehensive descriptions of construction and defects.
Guidance on 'what to do about defects'.
Explanation of what may occur if defects are not repaired.
Identify the risk of potential defects that may be present.