Residential Surveys and Valuations

All buildings have some defects, and require repairs and replacements from time to time, to keep them in satisfactory condition.

Roofs, walls, windows, plaster, electrical and heating systems: These and all other part of buildings have limited lives. We can assist you with clear information about repairs that are required, their cost, timing and priority.

Appreciation of these factors will allow you to negotiate the purchase price and plan for future expenses.

We offer the following types of survey:

Full Building Survey
 Homebuyers Valuation and Survey
 Surveys of New Buildings and                               Extensions

Full Building Survey

Often referred to as a structural survey, this is the most detailed survey and the format allows your particular requirements to be accommodated. The report will give detailed advice on the nature and condition of the building, on future maintenance requirements, their timing, cost and priority. Our full building survey also includes some advice on energy efficiency, security, safety and (where applicable) management of repairs. If you intend to carry out alterations to the building we can advise on their practicality and cost. A valuation can be included if required, as can an assessment of the cost of re-building, for insurance purposes.

Homebuyers Valuation and Survey

The format for these reports was drawn up by the RICS. The inspection is less detailed than the full building survey and the report gives some basic information on the construction of each part of the building, and advises on any significant or urgent defects. The report includes an open market valuation and an assessment of the cost of re-building, for insurance. Homebuyer surveys provide a concise, budget report. They are generally considered to be best suited to small to medium sized properties of standard construction.

Valuation (for Mortgage Lender, or for Private Use)

A valuation is an assessment of the value of a property. It involves a relatively brief inspection of the building, and very little information on condition, if any. A concise report is provided, usually in letter format. 

Surveys of New Homes

Inspections of buildings undergoing construction can be helpful in identifying omissions or errors that might cause problems in the future, or simply to advise on quality of workmanship. Periodic inspections can be arranged during the construction. Reports can be provided in the most helpful format for your purposes. For example, we can produce a list of defects in the work that should be corrected before the job is considered complete and payments are made.

Defect Analysis

We inspect and give recommendations on problems such as subsidence, damp and rot, without carrying out a survey of the whole building. This approach is best used by home owners, rather than prospective purchasers. See our page on this subject.

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