Below are some common enquiries that we experience and we hope that they answer some of your questions. If the answer to your query is not here or if you would like to discuss anything in more detail, then please feel free to contact us.
This is dependent on many factors, including the type and age of the property and the level of detail required in the report. Please see our Services. It is always best to discuss your requirements with one of our local surveyors so we can fully understand your concerns and ensure you get the best survey advice.
We offer a professional service but also aim to provide value for money.
A survey report may highlight unexpected problems with a property and therefore can often lead to potential savings when a purchase price is renegotiated.
It may even be that you decide not to proceed with your purchase on the basis of the necessary repairs highlighted by the survey, in which case there may be even greater notional savings on expenditure that you would have had to pay out if you had proceeded with the purchase.
If you would like to discuss your particular requirements in more detail with one of our Chartered Surveyors, please feel free to contact us.
We understand that there are often time sensitive issues affecting property purchases and we always endeavour to complete and issue our reports as soon as possible after inspecting the property. It is often helpful to us if we are made aware of any impending deadlines.
We are happy to verbally chat through our findings with you but always recommend that you wait until you receive the written report before making a legal commitment to purchase. Timescales for issuing the report inevitably vary due to the type of work we are undertaking and prevailing workloads.
However, we always do our best to provide a competitive and efficient service, issuing reports as soon as practicable. We typically turnaround our written reports in a few working days, with a PDF copy of the completed report emailed to the client immediately upon sign off.
All our surveyors are Chartered and members or fellows of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), with MRICS or FRICS qualifications or are AssocRICS registered
Our surveyors are locally based in the areas in which they work and have extensive experience and local knowledge.
Where access is available and it is safe to do so, our surveyors will inspect within the roof space so far as possible, in accordance with the agreed Terms and Conditions.
If considered appropriate a head and shoulders inspection of the roof space may only be undertaken during an inspection for a private market valuation or Insurance reinstatement Cost Assessment.
Yes.
Our surveyors all use moisture meters to check for damp as part of their inspections; in random locations within the property, where it is common to find damp problems and where dampness is suspected.
Whilst damp conditions may be identified during our inspection it may be necessary to recommend a more detailed analysis to be carried out by a Damp Specialist to accurately diagnose the problem and provide estimates for any remedial works.
Our surveys are based on a visual inspection of the property and do not include tests.
If you require specific tests on services we may be able to arrange this on your behalf at an additional fee.
Please contact us directly with your requirements.
Asbestos is a common element in building materials, which was used in many different guises in a variety of properties up until the year 2000.
It was intensively used in properties built, altered or refurbished during the mid to late twentieth century.
Whilst asbestos is a hazardous material, its presence does not always mean that there is a risk of immediate danger.
We will advise of materials that may contain elements of asbestos but confirmation of its presence and type can only be provided by laboratory analysis, not by a visual inspection.
If we find materials that could possibly contain asbestos then we will give the appropriate advice, recommending further investigations if necessary.
There will always be limitations on what can be seen at the time of inspection, as parts of the building will be hidden by furniture, fixtures and fittings or concealed at the time of construction.
Areas that could not be seen will be highlighted in the report together with an assessment of whether further investigation is required.
The building will be methodically inspected so far as possible, without causing damage or endangering the health and safety of the surveyor.
Where appropriate a valuation or survey may recommend further reports and estimates from specialist contractors or other professionals.
Common items include for example; further investigations by a Structural Engineer, a Timber and Damp report, or a test of the electrical installations or drainage system.
This is to help you to accurately quantify the scale of any discovered or suspected problems and to clarify what costs are involved in putting the problem right, before you commit yourself to buying the property.
We will undertake our inspection and complete our report in accordance with the agreed Terms and Conditions of Engagement.
Within the scope of the survey report we will comment on items that you have specifically requested.
We may be able to comment in general terms regarding a proposed alteration or extension but a survey is not a feasibility study or specification of work.
You may therefore require more detailed specialist advice from a number of different professionals.
We will be happy to advise further so please contact us.
Yes, we will email reports in ‘read only’ PDF format.
The report we produce for you, our client, is confidential and for your purposes only and that of your Legal and Financial Advisers.
Whilst Estate Agents often request a copy of survey reports it is considered prudent to provide them with copy extracts of the relevant sections rather than the report in its entirety.
We have no liability to any third party who may rely on the report.
The report we produce for our client is confidential and for their purposes only and that of their Legal and Financial Advisers.
We have no liability to any third party who may rely on the report.
Therefore we will not provide copies of reports to anyone who is not our client without their expressed written permission.
However, we will often be happy to re-inspect the property as a completely new and separate instruction and produce a new updated report at a discounted fee.
Generally speaking a mortgage lender will not accept a privately commissioned valuation or survey as they will require an assessment of the property as suitable security for mortgage purposes in accordance with their own guidelines and requirements and in their specified format.
Up to date list of governing bodies.
Please find below some links to websites that we hope may be of use to you. The majority are to governing bodies or associations, which can in turn recommend more local affiliated contractors should you require.