The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Chartered Surveyor Near You
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.
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.
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.
