Buying a new
property is an exciting time for anyone - but it can certainly be a little
overwhelming. The process of a house hunt can seem stressful enough but what
about when you actually find the property of your dreams? What comes next? This
is where a residential surveyor comes in. It is their job to help you inspect
the property and tell you if there are structural problems or any glaring
issues which you may have not realised.
Using their
knowledge, it is the role of a residential surveyor to assess the property and
then to provide an impartial report to the client. Your surveyor will then go
on to provide you with a thorough report which will detail a professional
commentary on the property, from the garden to the type of glazing.
Taking this
into account, in this blog we are going to discuss the fundamentals of a
domestic house survey, what they consist of and why you may wish to consider
one. Read on to discover more.
Do I need a residential house survey?
Not
necessarily, a residential survey is optional. Although, they can be highly
beneficial in helping you to prevent any costly or unplanned expenses which you
didn’t budget for. These unexpected costs could come in the form of just about
anything in terms of repairs, from rewiring to roofing.
Having a
residential survey is something that is going to give you peace of mind, even
if you don’t have any suspicions about anything looking slightly peculiar or
whether you do. Given the hundreds of thousands of pounds, it can cost you to
purchase your home, many see having a residential survey as an investment that
comes with it.
Along with
the information provided from the survey itself, this could then lead to you
making an informed decision about what you wish to do in regards to the
property. Perhaps you might want to reconsider going ahead with the purchase,
or perhaps you may wish to use the information which has been provided for you
to negotiate the price. For example, if you discover that you are going a
substantial amount to cover the costs for a couple of repair jobs, there could
be a chance that you might be able to negotiate the price.
If you were in a position for example where
you would have to spend £20,000 on structural repairs - you would be well
within your right to ask for this money off of the original purchase price. On
the other hand, some buyer actually put in a request for the seller to rectify
these issues prior to them purchasing the property.
Anyone could
benefit from a residential house survey but there are a few instances where it
is particularly useful, as follows:
●You’ve got a few general or serious
concerns about a section of the property.
●You have concerns regarding the
overall condition of the property.
●You want to purchase a period
property or more unusual property, for example, a barn conversion.
●It is an older property that
possesses a thatched roof or is timber-framed.
●the building itself is a listed
property.
What is entailed in a residential property
survey?
Below we
list the key aspects that are included in a residential building survey:
●Identifying the standout defects as
well as smaller defects that could compromise the safety of the
inhabitants.
●Testing for damp in the property.
●Any alterations which need to be
made.
●Any type of renovations that have
taken place without the required planning permission.
●Identifying any possible hazardous
materials.
●Checking the masonry and roof for any
damages.
●Having a look to see if there are any
trees within close proximity to the property.
●Evidence of woodworm, dry or wet rot
to timber structures.
●Monitoring the overall condition of
the properties damp proofing provides guidance relating to non-tested drainage.
●Information regarding the materials
which make up the property.
●Any necessary technical information.
●Any further general information or
guidance relating to the property.
Do I need a survey for a new build property?
For new
properties, we advise a professional snagging survey. This is a process that
involves seeking out any significant issues which need to be fixed prior to you
moving into the property. It could be seeking out any very minor problems to
large scale issues that may compromise the overall safety standard of the
building itself. This type of survey often costs between £300 and £600.
How can I get the most out of my survey?
●When you eventually get the ball
rolling and find a surveyor, you’ll want to inform them of any specific issues
you may have found or are suspicious of.
●Physically go with them around the
property, do this in order to ensure they get a good look at everything, and
you can point them in the direction of anything you are particularly concerned
about.
●Ask plenty of questions and always
feel free to ask away. This is what they are here for! If you are going to be
making such a significant investment you will want to do so with all the
necessary information required to do so.
How to find a good residential surveyor?
If you
haven’t used one before, knowing what it takes to get a professional surveyor
on board might seem a bit daunting. However, if they are regulated by RICS, you
know you can rest assured they are qualified to a professional standard. Don’t
be worried about asking your surveyor questions and finding out exactly what
they will do to support you.
Here we list
a few of the other techniques you can use to find a good surveyor:
●Be mindful of using a surveyor
recommended by your bank or estate agent. Often this tends to end up actually
costing you more.
●Shop around and seek quotes from a
few local firms and compare them.
●Enquire as to whether your surveyor
is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you will
know this because they will have the letters MRICS or FRICS after their name.
The RICS makes sure that all its members carry out professional standards in
their work.
Simon Levy
- Request a Quote Online Today
As a
Chartered Building Surveyor in private practice, Simon Levy is conversant with
domestic building work and costs associated with the same, together with
appropriate construction standards relevant.
We are also conversant with the techniques of building work
specification in connection with building contracts together with the
assessment and valuation of the builder’s work. In day-to-day professional
practice, we design, specify, measure, value and monitor and certify
construction works to a wide range of building types including residential
commercial, educational buildings.
Simon Levy
Associates deliver comprehensive, professional advice on all building-related
matters to its clients in Borehamwood and Hertfordshire. We manage the business
with integrity and honesty to high ethical and professional standards expected
of chartered architects and chartered surveyors. To find out more about the
vast range of services we provide, please feel free to contact us
today, we’d be delighted to help with any enquiries
you may have.
