Connecting you to Verified Independent Chartered Surveyors
www.propertysurveying.co.uk
...for all your building survey and property requirements

To find an independent building surveyor in your local area either:

Call 0845 1255 560

Or click on "Home" above

The Chartered Surveyors contactable via this website generally perform Building Surveys, major defects surveys, homebuyers reports or house buyer reports, valuations or single fault assessments. Some carry out photographic inspections and assessments of properties for purchasers at the same time as carrying out building surveys or other reports. (Building Surveys were formerly called structural surveys but the RICS changed their name.)

Building Survey
Structural Survey
Major Defects Report
House Purchase Survey
Home Buyer Survey and Valuation
Single Fault Assessment
Mortgage Valuation
Property Valuation
Buildings Insurance Valuation
Onsite Acquisition Advice
Photographic Inspection Advice
Expert Witness Reports
Party Wall Work
Planning Advice
Building & Land Plans
Schedule of Condition
Schedule of Dilapidations
Project Management
New Build Assessments
Boundary Dispute Advice

What is a Home Buyer / Homebuyer Survey?

Home Buyer Survey and Valuation

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has designed the Homebuyer Survey and Valuation report to provide a prospective purchaser with basic information in a standardised format. It includes details of:

• General condition and form of construction.
• Significant factors which might influence or affect value.
• Market value.
• Valuation for insurance.

Information is provided in a simple, straightforward form, easy to read and understand. It has recommendations for ‘action’ clearly stated.

Inspection is limited to those parts of the building that can be reached safely and easily using a 3m (10 ft) ladder. It includes inspection of boundaries, outbuildings and overall visual inspection of services. It does not include examination of inaccessible parts or testing of services.

Key defects will be identified. It is important to appreciate that the surveyor is not required to provide advice on repair or to comment in detail.

Although the Homebuyer Report and Valuation is suitable for many dwellings built after 1920, its simple format is not usually satisfactory for large houses or those that are unusual by virtue of design or construction. It is also not suitable for those that have been converted, extended, altered significantly or are Listed Buildings.

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This page, and those under the links to the left, is for those who are unfamiliar with obtaining property surveys and who would like a greater general understanding before they telephone or contact the appropriate Chartered Surveyor closest to the subject property.

Many people do not wish to read long explanations. In which case, telephone the Chartered Surveyor where you need a survey or advice and he or she will be happy to discuss and explain the options to you. You will then be able to discuss the most appropriate course of action and make a fully considered decision.

Sometimes the most appropriate kind of inspection can vary for different people, as well as for different properties, meaning personal advice from an experienced professional is often the only way to really ascertain what you need.

Virtually all Chartered Surveyors will adapt and carry out an individual building inspection to suit your individual needs. A bespoke service or an extra to a typical survey format should enable all the requirements of a client to be addressed.

There are a number of other types of building assessment possible, each found on the links to the left. To select the most appropriate service, we are, as aforementioned, of the opinion that the most appropriate course of action is to speak to the Chartered Surveyor who knows the area well and can discuss your individual requirements.

Please remember that Chartered Surveyors are often onsite and therefore uncontactable even with mobile phones. If you telephone and get an answerphone, please leave a message, or e mail the surveyor, and he or she really will call you back as soon as is possible.

If you have any questions on property matters, or proposals for advice articles,
do not hesitate to write to us via the Contact Us page.