Thursday 15th May 2008

Home Buyer - Surveys

Your mortgage company will arrange for a valuation to be carried out, albeit normally at your expense. The purpose of this is simply to tell the bank or building society if the property is worth the price that you have agreed. Its purpose is not to provide you with any significant information, although often further reports on structure, dampness, roofing and the like may be required.

You must remember that a house or flat will be, in most cases, the most expensive purchase of your life and therefore you need to know its condition. A survey report will give the information that you need and often, following the survey, you may be able to negotiate a reduction of the agreed price.

Building Survey

Click here to view a sample Building Survey »

Our building surveys are prepared following a detailed inspection of the property by a Chartered Building Surveyor. All visible defects will be reported upon and, where possible, the cause diagnosed and recommendations for repair given.

Many people wish to extend or alter the property they are buying. If you tell us what your proposals are before we carry out the survey, we can give general advice on these aspects and any special precautions that need to be taken or issues such as party wall matters.

Homebuyer Report

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This is a concise report in a standard format, the extent of the inspection and reporting being dictated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This report only comments upon significant defects. Although we are happy to undertake these reports, we feel that the format is not as clear as our Building Survey and the extent of inspection and report, being restricted, may not give the flat or house buyer enough information. The Home Buyer Report is primarily designed for relatively modern properties, which are in sound condition.

Report on Specific Defects

Click here to view a sample Report on Specific Defect »

This provides diagnosis and recommendations for further action reporting on one or two issues at a property, for example roof coverings and structure, structural movement such as subsidence or issues of dampness and dry rot.

Snagging List

Click here to view a sample Snagging List »

A detailed snagging list is often prepared to highlight defects in a new property, which can then be given to the Developer for him to rectify or in order to renegotiate the price of the property.

Home Information Pack

From December 2007 sellers are required to provide a Home Inspection Pack when they place their properties on the market in England and Wales. The pack needs to include an Energy Performance Certificate.

This and the Home Condition Report are prepared by Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors.

Both qualifications are lesser qualifications than that of Chartered Building Surveyor but it is a statutory requirement for all Home Inspectors, whether currently qualified or not to become registered.

Further information on the Home Information Pack is available at http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/consumer/

Contact Carter Fielding

Richmond Office

Tel: 020 8546 7211

19 Dryden Court, Parkleys, Ham Common, Richmond Surrey TW10 5LJ

Leatherhead Office

Tel: 01372 378 383

41 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8BN

Email us »

Related Documents
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Building Survey (256kb)
Home Buyer (732kb)
Snagging List (218kb)
Specific Defect (65kb)