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- Standard Valuation
- Homebuyer Report
- Building Survey
- Specialist Reports
A Standard Valuation...
is not a survey, it is a property inspection required by lending organisations to confirm that a property provides suitable security for mortgage purposes. The report includes a valuation figure and an estimate of re-building costs (for insurance purposes), as well as covering basic property details. The inspection is limited and we advise that house buyers should not rely solely on the information provided by a mortgage valuation when deciding whether or not to buy a particular property.
View the Homebuyer Report or Building Survey pages for information about additional services.
The Homebuyer Report...
is intended for conventional, residential properties e.g. houses, flats and bungalows, which appear to be in a reasonable condition and have not been subject to significant alterations since construction.
The report is written in a standard format and is around 10 pages in length. It is more comprehensive than the standard valuation and focuses on essentials (e.g. urgent or significant defects and problems which may affect the value of the property). Because of the practical limits on the type of property and the scope of its coverage, the Homebuyer Report is mid-range in price, more expensive than a Standard Valuation but less expensive than a Building Survey.
This report will enable prospective buyers to make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with the purchase and assess whether or not the property is reasonably priced. It will also assist in identifying what decisions and actions should be taken before contracts are exchanged. The valuer will give his/her professional opinion on the particular features of the property which affect its present value and may affect its future marketability. The valuer can only comment on visible areas where access is obtainable.
A Building Survey...
is suitable for all residential properties and provides a full picture of their construction and condition, including the roofs, chimneys, walls, floors, ceilings, doors and windows. It is more comprehensive than a Homebuyer Report and does not follow a fixed format. It is likely to be needed if the property is, for example, of unusual construction, dilapidated, has been altered or where a major renovation or conversion is planned.
A Building Survey will provide advice on existing or potential problems and identify suitable remedial work. The surveyor will agree to comment on particular areas of concern, provided they fall within the surveyor's terms and conditions and within the guidelines laid down by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The valuer can only comment on visible areas where access is obtainable.
A Valuation or Home Buyer...
report may have identified some Specific Defects:
- Structural defects
- Damp or timber issues
- Risk from nearby trees
- Potential wall tie failure
- Drainage problems
- Electrical or plumbing problems
The Valuer or Surveyor may recommend a further investigation by an appropriate expert before the prospective home buyer proceeds with purchase of the property - this is quite normal and, usually, no cause for concern.
Our relationships with surveying firm allow us to offer a wide range of survey types.
To our clients we can offer valuations for security for mortgage services, using physical 
inspection, external drive-by or desktop methodologies.
Customers of our clients are sometimes confused as to why they need a survey and what each survey type entails. We advise them that commissioning a professional survey is the best way to reach an informed decision on all important considerations involved in buying a house.
Different types of surveys are more suitable to different ages and types of properties. We believe that commissioning a survey is a simple and cost effective way to avoiding potentially unpleasant and much more costly surprises after they move in.
We can arrange for the following types of surveys to be delivered: