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Types of Survey ... |
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Royal
Institute of Chartered Surveyors (R.I.C.S.) members offer two forms of
survey which are specifically designed to help homebuyers: |
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A
Building Survey
(formerly called a structural survey) |
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A Building Survey is suitable for all
residential properties and provides a full picture of their construction and
condition. It is likely to be needed if the property is, for example, of
unusual construction, is dilapidated or has been extensively altered - or where
a major conversion or renovation is planned. It is usually tailored to the
client's individual requirements. The report includes extensive technical
information on construction and materials as well as details of the whole range
of defects, major to minor. |
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The
HOMEBUYER
Survey & Valuation
(usually
called "The HOMEBUYER Service") |
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By contrast, The HOMEBUYER
Service is in a standard format and is designed specifically as an economy
service. It therefore differs materially from a Building Survey in two major
respects. |
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It is intended only for particular types of
home: houses, flats and bungalows which are:
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conventional in type and construction.
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apparently in reasonable condition.
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It focuses on essentials:
defects and
problems which are urgent or significant and thus have an affect on the
value of the property - although it also includes much other valuable
information.
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The HOMEBUYER,
unlike a Building Survey, provides not only a survey but also a valuation as an
integral part of the service. |
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What else should I know about the HOMEBUYER
Service? |
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The Service - the inspection, the report and the
valuation - are all explained in detail in the accompanying Description of
the HOMEBUYER Service, but the highlights are: |
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This is an economy package.
Because of
the practical limits on the type of property and on the scope of its
coverage, the HOMEBUYER
Service is priced mid-range
- more expensive than a Mortgage Valuation,
but less than a Building Survey.
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The surveyor's main objective is to assist
the prospective homebuyer to:
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make a reasoned and informed judgement on
whether or not to proceed with the purchase. |
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assess whether or not the property is a
reasonable purchase at the agreed price. |
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be clear what decisions and actions should be
taken before contracts are exchanged.
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The surveyor also gives his or her professional
opinion on the particular features of the property which affect its present
value and may affect its future resale.
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The concise report
covers the building
inside and outside, the services and the site. It focuses on the defects and
other problems which in the judgement of the surveyor are urgent or
significant, but it also covers:
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the general condition and particulars features
of the property. |
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particular points which should be referred to
the client's legal advisers. |
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other relevant considerations concerning, for
example, safety, the location, the environment, or perhaps insurance.
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Matters which are judged to
be not urgent or not
significant are in general not included in the report, but the surveyor will
mention matters judged to be both helpful and constructive. |
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Where the client has a particular concern
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perhaps whether the property is suitable for a disabled person - the
surveyor will keep this in mind during the inspection. Or, a specific
addition to the Service - perhaps to the standard inspection - may be agreed
between client and surveyor.
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Where necessary, the surveyor may also be able
to provide some extra service which is outside the scope of the standard
package - perhaps providing a schedule of minor defects (for later
discussion with a contractor), or arranging for the testing of mains
services by suitably qualified specialists. |
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Where the client should take some action
before deciding to proceed with the purchase, this is signalled clearly in
the text of the report and included in the summary of action and other key
considerations. |
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Click here
to see the main features of the HOMEBUYER Service
as compared
with those of a BUILDING SURVEY.
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