When you need a property survey, it’s important to choose the right building surveyors for the job. There are many types of surveys, so it’s a good idea to check on what is available and determine your particular needs. Are you looking at a property survey? A dilapidation inspection? Do you need measurement surveys?
It’s usually easiest to reach out to a survey company that provides multiple building surveyors, so you can have some backup if one of them cannot do the job. This also gives you additional help in case the original surveyor is ill or unable to work.
What Do Building Surveyors Do?
Property surveys involve a surveyor going through the property and following a checklist to determine whether or not the building or property has any issues and to what extent these will affect the buyer.
Some of the more common problems that surveyors look for during their inspection include:
● Damp
● Rot
● Mould
● Cracking
● Hazardous materials
● Insect infestations
● Structural defects
While they cannot check inside walls or pipes, the surveyor will carefully check all areas that are accessible. They also know what signs to look for in order to spot potential water damage and leaks. For example, while termites may be inside the walls, the surveyor knows the signs of this type of insect infestation and can let you know if this is something you should be looking for when doing a more thorough inspection.
In some cases, the building surveyors will recommend having further investigations done, such as drainage surveys or dry rot inspections. If they’ve noticed something that requires a closer look, additional inspections are a good idea. This could save you a lot of time and money if there is something seriously wrong with a property or building.
What to Look for in a Building Surveyor
At first glance, you may think that all
building surveyors are the same, but there are certainly differences. There are a few things you should consider before hiring someone.
What Qualifications Do They Have?
Before you hire anyone to handle your survey needs, it’s important to find out if they’re qualified. You should look for building surveyors who are members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RIS), as they have many regulations for those who join. Every RICS surveyor will have professional indemnity insurance, which will help protect you against any errors they may make. They also have a very strict code of conduct, so if there are any problems with the surveyor, you can report them to RICS.
Are They Local?
Ideally, the building surveyors you are considering will be near your project. This is a good idea for several reasons.
First, you will have less in fees to pay if the surveyor isn’t travelling as far. Travel fees and time can really add up, so you should always ask about this before you schedule a visit.
Second, you want the ability to talk with the surveyor. While the pandemic has made it more common to talk online, you will likely feel more comfortable if you can meet face to face with the person and get a feel for who they are. This also allows you to form a bond, which is easier to do when you are face to face with the person.
In addition, it’s helpful to have a surveyor who is already familiar with the area and knows the local issues. They will be familiar with how homes were built throughout the area and may also have the connections needed for further investigation if you need it.
What Surveys Do They Offer?
Since there are a variety of surveys on offer, find out which ones are provided by the surveyor company. Ask about the depth of the surveys as well, since some are based on mortgage valuation and are less intense than an in-depth investigation.
You should also ask about the format of the feedback and property advice. Will you receive a report that is easy to read and can be shown to your bank or others in order to prove the value of the property? It’s essential that the report is designed to be clear and concise about the surveyor’s findings.
What Do They Charge?
The cost of the survey is going to affect who you choose. It’s a good idea to ask for quotes from a few different companies before you settle on one. There may be extra fees involved for certain types of surveys and while this is a necessary investment for the property, you should feel confident that you know what is being charged. It’s also important that the surveyor is not overcharging.
It's not important to go for the cheapest surveyor on the market. In fact, this is rarely a good idea. Instead, you want to look for a surveyor who is worth the price and has the experience to make it worth paying them. If you opt for the cheapest person, you’ll likely get what you pay for and end up with a less than helpful survey report. However, you do need to ensure you are within the budget for the project.
Are They Familiar with Your Property Type?
Each property type requires a certain kind of walkthrough and investigation. If the surveyor you’re working with is not familiar with your property type, they may find it difficult to properly assess. You need someone who has the necessary skills to assess your property and provide property advice based on their findings. Look for someone with that experience.
Can They Meet Your Deadlines?
Chances are, you have a set timeline for your project. This means you’ll need to know more about the property by the deadline, in order to apply for a mortgage application or submit a purchase request. It’s a good idea to discuss deadlines with the building surveyors and find out how far ahead they’re booked.
While it can be a good sign if the surveyor is busy, it may also cause issues with your timeline if they are too busy. Be sure to ask what their turnaround is, as this is the most important factor of all.
Remember that there are two parts to the survey. First, they need to actually inspect the property and check everything out. Second, they’ll need to provide the property advice and written report. While the actual survey doesn’t need to take all day (though sometimes it can), you will need to wait some time for the actual report. Be sure to ask about the turnaround on both sections of the survey.
Ideally, you’ll hire a surveyor for a property survey early on. They’ll need time to get all the information to you and if you’re working on last minute deadlines, you may not get everything done in time.
Do They Have Backup?
In the case of companies that have
multiple surveyors, you will find it easier to find someone to handle the project if one cannot do it. Having backup is always useful and you’ll find that working with a company is often best.
In addition to always having a surveyor available to you, it’s helpful to have a company full of building surveyors as they can brainstorm together. There is plenty of collaboration, which can be quite useful for producing high quality property reports. If you need additional service, there is usually someone who can manage the type of report you need. Since everyone has different experience levels, you can work with the same company for years and have multiple options for properties, yet always get an expert in that area to help with the survey.
Do Others Recommend Them?
It’s always a good idea to do some research before hiring someone. Whether you are working with a company or prefer to hire an individual contractor, learning more about them is a good idea. You may ask for recommendations first from other people who have had similar surveys done, or you could just look for online reviews.
People tend to go online if they have had a wonderful experience with someone and also if their experience was terrible. This works to your benefit, since you can easily check online to see if there are any reviews of the surveyor or company. They may provide some insight as to why one surveyor is better than another.
Finding Your Property Surveyor
Now that you know what you’re looking for in a property surveyor, it’s a good idea to start interviewing. You can get some quotes and start talking to the various surveyors to determine where you want to begin. It shouldn’t be difficult to find the right fit when you know what to ask.
Are you searching for the best building surveyors? At Simon Levy, we offer a range of experts in all areas of property surveys, including dilapidation inspect, measurement surveys, and regular property surveys.
Contact us now to learn more.
