Below are a list of some our client’s key questions and concerns. If you require more information, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Click + to expand answer.
Do I need a pre-purchase survey?
Purchasers often believe that a Mortgage Valuation Survey will highlight any potential issues with a property and that if the property passes this inspection, it is okay to purchase. Unfortunately, there a number of issues with this.
- The report is for the benefit of the lender and their criteria is usually different to someone who is going to live in the property/town/area.
- Often the purchaser does not receive a copy of the report.
- If a physical inspection is undertaken, it typically lasts 15-30 minutes however,
- A significant number of properties are not physically inspected at all.
All of this means that purchasers are often in for some costly repair bills for which they are completely unprepared.
Instructing a Surveyor is often not as expensive as one would think, and can lead to discovering issues that may save you from a costly mistake, or at least put you on notice about upcoming expenditure.
After a pre-purchase survey, the purchaser can then make a decision with all of the facts in their possession.
Are there any limitations to the survey?
The extent of each inspection will depend greatly on the type of survey you require. As you can appreciate, we do not carry out destructive investigations in Pre-Purchase surveys (e.g. a HomeSurvey or Building Survey Report), however we may do so if these are required for a Specific Defect Report by a home-owner. As a general rule of thumb, we inspect every area that is readily accessible.
Please refer to the descriptions of our surveys and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask by contacting us.
Can I be at the property when the surveyor is inspecting?
We discourage the presence of clients on site during the inspection as it often serves to distract the surveyor which may lead to mistakes being made. If travelling a short distance, you may be able to meet the surveyor toward the end or after their inspection. This will allow you to receive their preliminary findings however it must be understood that the process of reflection in preparing the report has not yet happened and further desktop investigations may take place after the onsite inspection. This may mean that the report differs slightly from what is communicated immediately onsite.
It must also be stressed that while most surveyors are happy to meet clients in this capacity, this is not something we enforce on our surveyors and as such it is at the discretion of the individual surveyor. If travelling long distances, meeting onsite is often impractical as travel/inspection delays or change in timings can often hold the surveyor up after completing the survey.
Do you arrange for access to the property?
Yes, we will coordinate our inspection with the vendor/estate agent.
Please note that on those rare occasions when vendors have restricted times of availability, this may lead to a further delay in carrying out the inspection. We will of course keep you appraised of the situation.
Which pre-purchase survey do I need?
A HomeSurvey Report suits those buildings which are younger, in reasonable condition, of moderate size and have had minimal alterations and/or extensions (typically knocking through a wall to form a Kitchen/Diner and the addition of a conservatory).
A Building Survey is preferred where the buildings are older, larger and more complex as they have often beenaltered and extended over time to suit changing living requirements. This survey also suits buildings of nontraditional construction.
We also offer other surveys, please click here to see more.
Can I ask the surveyor to report on any specific concerns?
Absolutely. Our clients have often visited the property several times before instructing us to carry out a survey and have specific issues which they would like an answer to. This can help to allay any fears you may have and reassure you that the property will meet your requirements.
How long does it take to receive my report?
Under normal circumstances, we aim to provide you with a HomeSurvey report 2-3 working days after the inspection. As Building Surveys are considerably more detailed, these can take 5-7 working days.
Please allow for this time period within the conveyancing process, as well as the time it takes to book an inspection with the estate agent or vendor.
Can I speak to the surveyor after receiving the report?
Of course, we are happy to help by answering any question you may have about the report and our findings. A quick phone call can often help to provide context and put minds at ease.