What Value Is A Building Surveyor To You?

If you are looking to sell your home or embark on an architectural extravaganza, you may have thought about hiring a building surveyor, or you may have been advised to hire one. Involved in all aspects of property and construction, building surveyors can help you with a wide range of general and niche tasks when it comes to your home. From evaluating health and safety hazards in large scale developments to planning a small domestic extension like a garage, loft conversions and more.

Popular design shows like Grand Designs make us lust after stunning developments that seem to defy the laws of gravity and are ingenious in their design techniques. But, if you are inspired and want to transform your home or field, you will most definitely need a building surveyor. Even if you don’t want the added fuss, cost or your dreams dampened, nevertheless, it’s always helpful to have advice from an objective experienced professional.

Due to the vast scope that building surveyors can help you with, we have decided to specifically detail three different reasons why building surveyors are an asset. They can help orchestrate contemporary buildings and conserve the charm of historic homes. They are particularly helpful when moving house - one of the most stressful life events that we all go through at some point in our lives.

Generally, a building survey report will include the following:

●Results of damp tests in the walls

●Any alterations that have occurred throughout the home

●Renovations that occurred without planning permission

●Presence of hazardous materials like asbestos

●Evidence of subsidence

●Damage to masonry and roof

●Damage to timbers

●Large trees close to the property

●Presence of woodworm or dry rot

●Whether the property has damp proofing and insulation, also whether these are in good condition

●Information on materials used to build the property

●Recommendations for further investigations and repairs

Building Surveyor can help and improve the planning permission process

If you own a large bit of land and you want to add outbuildings like stables and extra storage, or you want to add a balcony to your home, it is likely that you will need planning permission. Planning permission can be a lengthy and stressful process, and it can be equally frustrating if your plans are rejected.

Planning permission is formal permission from a local authority to carry out the work that you desire. Many building works do need planning permission as it could inhibit another person’s boundary, cause plenty of disruption and could be an eyesore. Planning permission is imperative if you live within a conservation area or if you live in a listed property.

If you still continue with the work without planning permission, it will most likely cause difficulties in the future if the land or property is put up for sale. Plus, it is a criminal offence to go against the decision of the council, such as if you carry out the work and it is not permitted. This can lead to various fines and penalties on your person that isn’t worth the hassle.

Hiring a reputable building surveyor can help smooth the process of getting planning permission and will improve the outcome. They can assess your property to see if it is safe to carry out the work and can give impartial advice when applying, as the work you may want to be done may not actually need planning permission if it is performed within certain guidelines. The building surveyor report will also be an important document to submit, as it shows you are taking the relevant steps to ensure that your project is safe.

A house survey will be required in some special cases of planning permission, especially in regards to listed properties and if accessibility is obstructed.

A building surveyor will also be useful after the work has been carried out. So, any faults can be detected or if you have (either willingly or not willingly) gone against the planning permission.

Chartered Surveyors can assist with historic and period properties

Chartered Surveyors are a helpful asset to have when dealing with historic and period properties. Whether you are planning on having work done, wanting the property valued or you just simply want to find out more about its history and provenance, your first port of call should most definitely be a specialist.

Chartered surveyors can give you a detailed report on the type of condition that your historic home is in, and how to restore it to its former glory. Period and listed homes are typically more difficult to repair than contemporary homes because they are not as advanced in their materials and they have been subjected to more years of general wear, tear and erosion. Plus, they could have been constructed from materials that are now harder to source and constructed in a way that is different to modern home construction.

Typical issues include the build-up of damp, as older homes do not have modern methods of insulation, and also the presence of hazardous chemicals like asbestos. Your home also could be subjected to woodworm and rot. In this sense, it is important to have a specialist historic home chartered surveyor as they can give the necessary advice that you would need to get these repaired. Simply put, modern and contemporary methods may be insufficient and could incur further damage to the property. Though it is, of course, imperative to keep your home’s original charm, it is also important to make sure that it is safe to live in.

Property Surveys are incredibly valuable in a house move

Many people have been confronted with the dilemma of finding their dream home, but find that there are damp and electrical faults that they didn’t see when they first looked around. Having a good quality property survey is incredibly valuable, whether you are moving house or planning to sell your home. Not only is this considered good practice but it will help you have your house valued and could indicate that you may need to put some more work into your home before you sell it.

One of the great things about house surveys is that you can get a variety of different services, depending on how comprehensive you want the survey to be. There are four different types of building surveys that you can choose from.

Condition Report - The cheapest survey you can get, a condition report doesn’t go into loads of detail but it will outline some of the basic faults or well-looked after parts of your home. Condition reports are designed to accompany the mortgage valuation, yet it does not give any advice on how to repair the faults or what specific repairs are needed.

Homebuyers Report - You can get two different kinds of homebuyers reports, one with the survey or one with the survey and valuation. It will detail any obvious problems such as rot, damp or subsidence. A homebuyers report is also considered a non-intrusive practice. So, the surveyor will not look behind furniture, lift up any floorboards, or drill any holes. With this in mind, you may, therefore, get a report that is limited. The valuation will also include an insurance reinstatement value.

Home Condition Survey - Offered by the Residental Property Surveyors Association , these surveys are conducted by specialists. They will include practical information such as broadband speed, damp assessment and boundary issues - the latter being incredibly important if you are planning on undertaking work once you have bought the home. The reports are also independently checked to ensure that they are consistent and are of good quality.

Building Survey - Building surveys are performed by RICS surveyors . These are extensive surveys that will give you a detailed report once the survey is completed. Unlike homebuyers reports, RICS surveyors will check the attic, check behind walls, look between floors and above ceilings to make sure your home (or the home you are looking to buy) is in tip-top condition. These surveys will also include advice on repairs, estimated timings and costs of these repairs and will tell you of any future damage that could be incurred if the repairs are ignored.

Any of these surveys will be helpful when looking to buy a new home or selling a property. Though it would be unusual for any home to be completely faultless, it’s worth getting it investigated if you have young children or if you plan on getting stuck in and doing it up as a project.

Simon Levy: Structural Engineers and Chartered Building Surveyors Near You

Here at Simon Levy, we are an expert team of independent building surveyors in Watford and beyond. Our team is adept at valuing both residential and commercial properties, creating in-depth reports that show any repairs that will need to be carried out.

With over thirty years of experience, our surveyors have become invaluable in helping to buy a new home or looking after a listed property. We are accredited by RICS, the leading professional body for standards in land, property, infrastructure and construction.

To find out more about how we can help you take the first step in buying a new home, or giving your home TLC, contact us today.