Residential Survey Specialist

Helping you choose the right survey

Why do you need an Home Survey? Because not all expensive surprises are welcome !

Choosing the right survey will help highlight any serious problems and advise you of the specific risks before you commit to the process of buying or selling a property.

We offer three different levels of survey. All of our surveys are undertaken by a fully qualified Chartered Surveyor.

Types of Survey

Level 1 – Condition Report

Choose this report if you’re buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow built from common building materials and in reasonable condition. This service includes:

• a visual inspection that is less comprehensive than the Level 2  or Level 3 reports.
• clear ratings of the condition of different parts of the building, services, and the grounds, showing problems that may require varying degrees of attention
• a summary of risks to the building, people and grounds
• an assessment of the relative importance of the defects

No tests of the building fabric or services are undertaken.

Level 1 does not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance and it does not include a valuation.

Level 2 – HomeSurvey

The Level 2 Home Survey includes:-

• Comments on the internal and external condition of the property (including an overview of the service installations).
• Comments on any major defects or other shortcomings likely to affect your decision to purchase the property.
• Comments on the overall condition of any permanent outbuildings and in relation to the site.
• Any particular points or issues that you should refer to your legal adviser.
• The option to include an opinion of the Market Value of the property; if required by the client and if the surveyors agrees to provide this service.
• The option to include the estimated rebuilding (or “reinstatement”) cost of the property for buildings insurance purposes; if required by the client and if the surveyor agrees to provide this service.

The information is provided in a straightforward format, which is easy to read and understand. The report is based on a visual inspection of as much of the interior and exterior of the building as is reasonably and safely accessible. A full description of the service is given in the Terms of Engagement leaflet, which your surveyor will provide.

This type of report is suitable for most conventionally built residential properties, constructed since around 1900. Properties that are unusual, by virtue of their design or construction or those that are particularly large might require a more detailed report, such as a Building Survey. Your surveyor will advise you further in this respect, during the preliminary discussion.

Level 3 – Building Survey

The Building Survey (formerly known as a Full Structural Survey) is a Level 3 service and is a detailed, comprehensive report on the condition of a building. It will describe the building in detail and provide advice on defects, remedial works and future maintenance requirements. The report is based on a comprehensive inspection and may often be tailored to your own specific requirements. You may, for example, opt to upgrade the survey to include additional reports such as an electrical report or a drainage test.

A Building Survey is suitable for all types of buildings but is almost certain to be needed if the property is very old, Listed, is in need of extensive repairs or if it is not constructed using traditional building methods and material

To request more information please click here.