Why Should You Have a Building Survey?

Getting on the property ladder is a big step, so before you hand over your well-earned savings it’s well worth having a professional building survey conducted on the property. Although your mortgage company may carry out a survey of some sort, it’s likely to be a valuation assessment rather than an in-depth look at the condition of the full building. For your own peace of mind, hiring a surveyor can uncover hidden defects in the property that could cost thousands to repair.

Save yourself from unexpected surprises and carry on reading to learn why building surveys are so beneficial.

Peace of mind

Knowing that you’re buying a property that’s well-built, risk-free and a good investment is exactly what you should look for. Buying any kind of property, whether it’s your first home or not, should never be rushed as missing out important stages could lead to problems further down the line. Feel confident in your decision, and if the survey does uncover any problems you'll know exactly what you’re dealing with so you can plan for the future.

Negotiation

Having a full building survey can be a very useful negotiation tool. If the survey reveals that repair costs could, for example, add up to £5,000, you can try and negotiate at least some of this amount off the buying price. Or, depending on the issues, the seller may agree to fix this problem before you move in - saving you time and money. The money you save can then be used on other things for the home such as furniture, appliances and decorating materials.

Security

If you decide to take on a property that's in need of repairs, the building survey will detail everything you need to know so you have a better understanding. Unplanned issues can cause a lot of inconveniences, especially when you don’t have the funds to sort them out. However, knowing exactly what you’re dealing with means you can plan these repairs, have proper insurance in place and relieve some of the anxiety you may feel about the unknown.

Simon Levy Associates are the expert chartered building surveyors, with experience working on over 500 projects. We offer a comprehensive range of services including building and structural surveys, boundary disputes, party wall matters and much more. Get things done the right way by getting in touch today and finding out how we can help.