Buying a
property is a huge investment - and possibly one of the biggest investments of
your life. Purchasing a new house isn’t a straightforward process; there are
lots of decisions and many choices to be made, one being finding the right
chartered surveyor. Once you’ve found your dream property, you’ll need a
chartered surveyor to check the structural condition of the building. While
your mortgage provider will conduct its own valuation of the property, it’s
always best to instruct a professional chartered surveyor to conduct a structural
survey on the property.
The
importance of getting a professional building survey simply can’t be overstated
- but it’s important to find the right surveyor for the job. Hiring the right
surveyor can save you huge amounts of money down the line and ensure that
you’re moving into a home that is structurally sound and secure.
To give you
a helping hand, we’ve put together a guide to finding the right chartered
surveyor near you.
What is a chartered surveyor?
In a
nutshell, a chartered surveyor is a highly-trained property professional who
provides specialist advice on property-related issues. A professional chartered
surveyor will carry out a survey on the property you plan to buy and identify
any problems or defects that could cause problems and require repairs further
down the line. If these structural issues are identified early, you can reduce
the costs of repairs in the future and determine whether the house is a good
investment or not. You may also be able to renegotiate the price of the house
with the seller if the house has lots of hidden defects.
A surveyor
will visit the property and assess the different areas of the building. They
will then produce a report with a detailed breakdown of any problems
identified, helping you to work out the potential costs and whether or not the
purchase is feasible.
Tips for finding the right surveyor
There are
lots of surveyors all over the country, but how do you make sure you’re
choosing the right one? With a huge range of experienced and highly-qualified
individuals to choose from, it’s beneficial to know exactly what to look out
for and how to separate the best. Follow our top tips below!
Choose a surveyor local to you
The first
thing you need to do is find a chartered surveyor in the area where the property
is. For example, if you currently live in London but you’re planning to move to
Manchester, a surveyor in London won’t be of much use to you. There are other
benefits to choosing a local surveyor too; choosing a professional in the area
will mean you can benefit from their local knowledge and it will be easier to
communicate and arrange surveys with them.
The right
surveyor will have good knowledge of the various houses and flats in an area.
Construction architecture, styles and property trends vary in different regions
and each type poses its own set of challenges. Different locations also come
with their own local by-laws for legal issues such as planning permission
and construction, and therefore
local knowledge is extremely important.
Select a RICS regulated surveyor
It’s crucial
that you select a RICS regulated chartered surveyor. RICS is the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors; all chartered surveyors are regulated by their
strict codes of practice. If you have any issues with the service provided by
your chartered surveyor, complaints can be reported directly to the RICS who
will deal with the issue professionally.
Look for someone with plenty of experience
The more experience
a chartered surveyor has, the more reliable their service will be. When it
comes to purchasing a property, you can’t afford to make any mistakes - and
therefore it’s crucial that you have the best chartered surveyor possible. Some
properties are more demanding than others and some buildings are more complex
(such as old or industrial buildings), and therefore it pays to have someone
with plenty of experience under their belt.
Choose the right type of chartered surveyor
It’s also
crucial that you choose the right type of chartered surveyor if you want the
best service possible. There are a range of specialisms in chartered surveying,
with the following being the most commonly required:
● Building surveyors.
Building surveyors are required when purchasing a new property. They can
carry out a homebuyer’s survey or a full building survey. Building surveyors
can also advise on the construction of new buildings or extensions, and many
also specialise in older or historical buildings too.
● Commercial chartered surveyors.
A commercial surveyor specialises in commercial properties,
such as offices, warehouses and large industrial estates. They can carry out
property valuations and assist with property planning and development, along
with corporate relocations too.
● Rural surveyors.
Rural surveyors specialise in rural properties, along with their
associated equipment and assets (such as machinery and storage). They are
qualified to survey farmland and can draw up reports of environmental risks,
such as flooding or drought.
Don’t forget to read reviews
Online
reviews are a great way to get a feel of the company or surveyor in question.
It’s always a good idea to thoroughly read reviews before hiring someone; it’s
an easy and convenient way to find out if previous clients have experienced
issues with the surveyor and whether or not they’d recommend them. Always take
the time to read customer reviews and testimonials; any reputable and reliable
chartered surveyor will be more than happy to share previous reviews with you
or display previous projects on their website.
Gather quotes from different surveyors
You want to
get the best value for your money possible, and this means that you shouldn’t
just settle with the first surveyor you come across. In fact, it’s always best
to gather a few quotes from different surveyors to compare prices and services
and ensure that you’re getting the best for your money.
While you
want to choose a surveyor that offers you a great price, it’s important to note
that you shouldn’t always necessarily go with the cheapest chartered surveyor
you find. It’s all about seeing what options are available and selecting
someone with the right amount of experience and expertise for your survey.
Generally,
we recommend gathering quotes from three different surveyors. This way, you can
easily compare prices and decide which option works best for you.
Simon Levy Associates:
Chartered Building Surveyors
in Borehamwood,
Watford and Greater London
At Simon
Levy Associates, we have a huge range of experience surveying homes. Our team
of experts provide impartial and expert property advice and can survey your
property, checking for any defects and identifying any issues before you buy.
Our services are designed to help you make an informed decision regarding the
purchase of a new property. Whether the property is decades old or a new-build,
we can help you determine whether or not it’s a worthwhile investment.
Drawing on
decades of experience in the industry, our comprehensive building evaluations
reveal items of interest that may affect your purchasing decision and provide
you with the ultimate peace of mind. Our skillset is aimed at providing the
client with an accurate, effective and efficient professional service.
In addition
to full building surveys, our professional services also include party wall
administration, extension, alterations and building conservation, boundary
disputes and neighbourly matters, landlord and tenant disputes and construction
and home improvement disputes.
To learn more about us and our services, simply
visit our website
today.
