Residential Building Surveying
Buying a new home can be a very stressful period in your life. Appreciating that there are many matters to consider when moving home, rest assured, we can help you with one! As Chartered Building Surveyors, regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), we want you to be fully informed about the condition of your new home and the potential implications to consider in the future.
When choosing a Home Survey, we aim to assist you wherever possible to ensure an excellent service is provided. We understand that timing, communication, and expert technical advice is always a must have.
With a breadth of knowledge and expertise spanning a combined 35+ years of industry experience, we can offer the best possible advice to suit your needs when deciding which survey is most appropriate for you and your new home.
We often find our industry uses varying terminology, so to break through the jargon, we provide a clear outline of the common surveys and what each one covers below:
RICS Level 3 Survey (formerly called a Building Survey)
When considering buying a new house, it is important that no stone is left unturned. After all, this is an important purchase, and you want to make sure you fully understand all implications.
This type of home survey is the most comprehensive available. To summarise the extent of this survey, it provides a detailed visual inspection of all external and internal fabric elements of the property. Typically, we commence our inspections externally, assessing each individual element in a top-down methodical approach. Common external elements include chimney stacks, flashings, roof coverings, valley gutters, rainwater goods, eaves fascia and soffits, external walls (brickwork, stonework and render finishes), and windows and doors. An assessment of the structural framing is also provided, reviewing any matters that may suggest that progressive structural movement is present, either above ground level or hidden and concealed below ground level.
Internally, we commence our inspection within the loft space (roof void), inspecting the condition and adequacy of the roof framing, sarking, party walls, chimney stacks, and insulation. Furthermore, we review whether any condensation related matters are present, including a detailed check for the presence of any evidence of fungal decay or wood boring insects. We then systematically inspect each room at each level, assessing the condition of the ceilings, walls and partitions, floor structures, and all finishes including fittings such as sanitary provisions and fixed furniture. Again, inspections are undertaken to establish whether any condensation related matters are present, along with any symptoms of dampness, fungal decay, or wood boring insects. Commentary on the condition of all services, typically electrical, gas, heating, water distribution and drainage, is provided, with recommendations made for any specialist inspections required, along with any likely improvement needed.
We assess the condition of each specific element and report upon any defects found, along with discussion on its relative importance. We confirm the most probable cause of how and why any defect has occurred and make recommendations for repair and making good. We also highlight the likely timescale in which this needs to be undertaken, thus allowing you to plan and budget for undertaking any works in the future.
Typically, this type of survey would apply to those considering buying a house which was built pre-1960, and/or has been extensively extended, or where you may have specific concerns relating to its present condition.
If needed, we can also provide an estimate of likely costs of such repair work, understanding this could also prove very useful when negotiating the asking price.
RICS Level 2 Survey (formerly called a Homebuyer Report)
This type of home survey is an ‘intermediate level’ survey, again comprising a visual inspection of the building, its services, and grounds. The survey summarises the condition of the external and internal elements of fabric described within ‘Level 3’ above. The survey then provides an assessment of the relative importance of any defects identified using a traffic light system rating.
This type of survey is generally less comprehensive and descriptive than the Level Survey, however, its use will depend on your individual circumstance and type of building.
Typically, this type of survey would apply to those considering buying a conventional property such as a house or flat that is in a reasonable condition.
General Structural Appraisal
We provide this survey because we understand that commentary on more obvious defects is not always required. You may be planning to refurbish the property, renew windows and rainwater gutters or undertake extensive alterations and therefore do not require an inspection of these elements.
This type of survey is therefore tailored to suit your specific needs, typically focussing on the key structural elements of the building only. In this circumstance, we concentrate solely on all key structural aspects of the property.
Additional Services
Further to the above, we also provide design services, should you be considering an extension to your new home. These services include:
- Preparation of Planning Applications.
- Preparation of Building Control Applications.
- Preparation of detailed plans, elevation, and sectional drawings.
- Cost estimating services.
- Tender procurement, contract administration, and project management.
If you would like to know more, and have a friendly chat, please feel free to get in touch to discuss your individual needs!