Do you need a building survey or advice?

Click on the "home" link to find an Independent chartered Surveyor.

If you would like to find out more about the following types of professional and survey work carried out by Independent Chartered Surveyors of the propertysurveying.co.uk network, click on the link below:

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?

This page, and those under the links to the left, is for those that are unfamiliar with obtaining property surveys 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.

For those that wish to read a general summary of the most common types of Survey and Advice, read on....

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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There are a number of other types of building assessment possible. 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.