Surveys and Valuations are designed to help you make an informed decision on your future home. Our Chartered Surveyors carry out three types of report:

This is carried out on behalf of your Mortgage Lender or for you personally, (for example for matrimonial proceedings or taxation purposes). If the valuation is a Mortgage Valuation prepared for your Lender it will answer only the Lender’s questions about whether the property offers suitable security for your loan. You cannot rely on it to fully answer questions that concern your personal interests or to give you details about the condition of the property. Some Lenders do not provide a copy of their Mortgage Valuation report.

If the valuation is conducted for you the inspection of the property and reporting on its condition will be limited in extent. There may be hidden defects that would be revealed by a more detailed inspection. Both the Consumers’ Association “Which” magazine and the Council of Mortgage Lenders recommend you arrange a Survey.

As members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) we offer two forms of Survey that are designed to help home buyers.

• The RICS HomeBuyer Service (HBS)
  This comprises an inspection, report and valuation prepared in a standard format. It is designed for houses, bungalows and flats that are of traditional type and construction and are in apparently reasonable condition.
  
  The HBS identifies what the surveyor considers to be the most important issues and applies condition ratings to the elements of the building, the services and any garages and permanent outbuildings, to tell you whether the defects are serious or urgent. It includes the surveyor’s opinion of the market value and re-instatement cost (for insurance purposes). It focuses on matters that, in the surveyor’s opinion, may affect the value of the property if they are not dealt with. The report also includes other valuable information such as matters the surveyor believes your legal adviser should investigate.
  
  The HBS is a mid range survey. It is more expensive than a mortgage valuation, but cheaper than a Building Survey. The surveyor’s main purpose is to help you:
  
  
  • Make an informed decision on whether or not to go ahead with buying the property and at what price.
  • Take account of any repairs the property needs.
  • Consider what other advice to take before exchanging contracts.
  
  
  The report covers the inside and outside of the building, the services and the site and includes:
  
  
  • Details on the general condition and particular features of the property.
  • Condition ratings for elements of the structure of the building, the services and any garages or permanent outbuildings.
  • Particular points you should refer to your legal advisers.
  • Specific risks associated with the property.
  • Other relevant considerations, for example, the location and energy performance of the building.
  
  
  Any items the surveyor considers do not need repairing or replacing, or any minor matters that do not affect the value of the property, are generally not included in the report.
  
  If you have a particular requirement you would like the surveyor to consider, you should inform him/her before they provide you with the service.
• Building Survey

  (this used to be called a Structural Survey)

  
  A Building Survey is a customized, detailed survey suitable for all residential properties. It is particularly suitable if the property is unusually built or run down, if it has been significantly altered or if you are planning major conversion and renovation works.
  
  Building Surveys can be tailored to your needs. The report includes detailed technical information on materials and construction as well as details on the whole range of defects. It will prioritise matters you need to deal with now over those which can be delayed a while and gives you an idea of the future maintenance issues likely to affect the property.
  
  Our report also includes a market valuation, re-instatement cost (for insurance purposes), illustrative photographs and other information such as matters we feel your legal adviser should investigate.
  
  The Building Survey is more detailed and has more technical content than the RICS HomeBuyer Report.

Our Chartered Surveyors will report on the parts of the property that are readily accessible but are not obliged to inspect areas that are difficult to access. We will not remove carpets, shift furniture or remove items stored in the loft. We will comment on services such as electric and plumbing but will not carry out tests. Where necessary we will recommend that an expert examination be carried out. Full Terms of Engagement will be sent to you in writing for your agreement before the report is forwarded to you.

What to do next

If you wish to proceed we will send you a copy of our Terms of Engagement. Please read these to ensure you fully understand what is and is not included in the particular type of report you have requested, and what the cost of the report will be. The cost will depend on the type of inspection, and the type, size and price range of property. Before we carry out our inspection please tell us about any specific information you would like to know. We are always pleased to offer informal advice before receiving your instructions so do feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.