Which Building Survey Do I Need?
To help you understand which building survey you need for your property, please find below an overview of the reports used via the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for domestic properties.
The RICS homebuyer survey is a comprehensive check of homes in a reasonable condition and is generally the most popular of surveys. It is designed to spot any areas of a building that needs repairs, or may be of concern, along with advice regarding ongoing maintenance or repairs. It will include photographs within the report for reference to any items found.
It will tell you about:
1. Existing construction
2. Building condition inside and out
3. Visual structural check on the external and internal walls
4. Advice on the problems found and the likely repairs that could be needed
5. Maintenance advice and outline possible future defects
6. Health and safety matters
7. Possible legal issues to bring to the attention of your solicitor
8. Flood risk assessment
9. Japanese knotweed inspection
10. Drainage inspection outside (subject to removal of inspection covers)
11. Loft inspection, regarding roof structure condition and roof insulation depths. (subject to access in and around the roof space)
This survey does not include a valuation or a building reinstatement figure for insurance purposes
If the house you are buying is Pre 1940’s, or the property has been altered or extended in any way or maybe you have some items of concern or planning on carrying out further building works to the property, it is likely that you will need a Full Building Survey.
As the most comprehensive of all survey types, it is more detailed and will highlight all areas of concern. It will include a comprehensive selection of photographs for reference to all items of concern and would tell you about:
1. Existing construction
2. Building condition inside and out
3. Advice on the problems found and the likely repairs that could be needed
4. Highlight the most significant problems
5. Maintenance advice and outline possible future defects
6. Health and safety matters
7. Possible legal issues to bring to the attention of your solicitor
8. Its current energy efficiency, with recommendations to improve
9. A damp check using a calibrated moisture meter, readings taken and recorded
10. Full drainage inspection inside and outside with photos (subject to removal of inspection covers)
11. Inspection of trees and locality to the property with any root problems
12. Full structural check with photos on the external walls, internal walls, and roof structure
13. Flood risk assessment
14. Japanese knotweed inspection
15. Check on depths of roof insulation (subject to access in and around the roof void)
16. Internal chimney inspection, subject to access
17. Visual check of electrical mains, gas mains, meters, and consumer units
18. Check all electrical lights and extractors, but only for operation and to make comments.
This survey is often confused with a structural report. A structural engineer will typically inspect a property when a defect such as ‘movement’ has been identified by our Building Surveyor, and then make his recommendation on any structural repairs. The Building Surveyor will provide a diagnosis in the survey.
We can provide estimated costs of any repairs or issues that are found, but this would incur additional costs, payable in advance for estimates to be prepared, and then sent out. These figures will give you a breakdown of the costs for any likely repairs that are required and can be used for further negotiation. Obviously, these can only be priced after the survey has been completed.
This survey does not include a valuation or a building reinstatement figure for insurance purposes.
If you are looking for a building surveyor in Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire or Sussex, please get in touch today.