Discover peace of mind with our comprehensive range of property services. Whether you're considering a Homebuyer Report, a Full Structural Survey, or need a valuation report or RICS Condition Report, we've got you covered.
Home survey reports
Why get a survey?
According to a recent survey of home buyers, of the one in four who relied solely on a mortgage valuation report, 25% needed to undertake unplanned work in the first year, amounting to an average cost of over £1,100 (RICS/GfK NOP Business research). As we explain below, we are in fact the only bit of the home buying process that can potentially save you money!
If you are buying a house or a flat in the UK, a house survey – also known as a home survey or property survey – is highly recommended before you buy the property.
What is a survey?
A house survey provides an expert account of the property’s condition, and highlights any problems in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Your home is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you make, so you need to know as much as you can about the property before you buy it, live in it and perhaps sell it.
Why use an RICS surveyor?
During an RICS Home Survey, an RICS professional conducts an in-depth visual inspection of the property and provides you with a written report. Home Surveys are carried out by RICS members in accordance with the RICS Home Survey Standard, which sets out the professional standards we require.
Different homes require different types of survey reports, and our fees vary depending on the property being purchased: please get in touch today for a competitive quote for a detailed and thorough report on your property.
Do you need a survey when buying a house?
In England and Wales, it’s not a legal requirement to get a survey of a property before you buy it. However, it is highly recommended. A house survey will give you information to decide about the property purchase, which can have far-reaching financial implications. As a prospective owner, you will benefit from expert advice on the condition of the property from a house survey.
What surveys do we offer?
We offer two types of survey report: a Level 2 and a Level 3. A Level 3 Home Survey is the most comprehensive survey report – also known as a ‘RICS Building Survey’. It provides you with an extensive, in-depth analysis of the property’s condition and includes advice on defects, repairs and maintenance options.
Choose a Level 3 Home Survey if you’re dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works. A Level 2 survey is almost as detailed, but typically doesn’t include remedial costs or photographs.
By getting an survey conducted by an RICS surveyor, you can feel assured that the report you receive is impartial, reliable and carried out to a high standard.
A survey can actually save you money. If there is a problem with the house, you can renegotiate the sale price to reflect the cost of necessary repairs, or you may even decide you don’t want to buy it at all.
What happens after you receive your survey report?
If your house survey has shown that the property is in good condition, you can proceed. However, if the survey has shown there are some defects in the property, you should do some more research to find out the seriousness of those problems and what it could take to resolve them.
What are further investigations?
If your survey report has identified that further investigations are required, this means that the surveyor has not been able to assess the property fully. This might be because:
part of the property is hidden from view or not accessible, so defects cannot be fully assessed, or
the surveyor does not have the specialist knowledge to assess the property.
In order to carry out further investigations, the professionals may need to access the building in a different way to be able to see the problem completely. Talk to the owner to ensure that they will grant access to allow the further investigation to be carried out.
How long does it take from house survey to completion?
It depends on what your survey uncovers. The home survey normally goes ahead after the mortgage valuation has been carried out: and if there are no serious issues and the buyer feels confident to proceed, the process continues as normal. If the survey uncovers problems with the property, the buyer might wish to renegotiate the price, ask the seller to fix the issue or consider not making the purchase at all. A buyer might wish to engage other property professionals to get more information about the property, which can add time to the buying process.
