What is a building survey?
A building survey or property survey is an inspection that highlights any issues that a property may have. A qualified surveyor will visit the property, carry out an inspection and then prepare a report on their findings. If you’re buying a house, it’s something you should definitely consider as it can highlight any costly future repairs the property may need.
The survey is usually carried out once the offer you make on the house is accepted and before the contracts are exchanged. (This differs in Scotland.) If you’re looking for a building survey in Essex or the surrounding area, Taylor Chartered Surveyors in Essex can help. We offer property surveys in Loughton and beyond.
Types of property surveys
Your surveyor can recommend the right survey for the property you’re purchasing. It depends on how much you’re willing to spend and the age of the property you’re looking to buy. The majority of surveyors offer 3 types of surveys:
Condition Report
This is the most basic survey. It gives a general overview of the condition of the property and highlights any issues without going into detail. This report is good if you’re looking to buy a standard, modern property that’s in fair condition as it will just verify that everything is okay. The report will tell you if there are any serious defects that need to be immediately fixed or anything that could affect the safety of the property. It will also notify you of any legal issues concerning your purchase.
Homebuyer Report
This is the most popular survey and the standard mid-range choice for properties in a reasonable condition. It is the same as the condition report but with added extras. It lists any problems that could affect the property value, will give advice on repairs and highlight any legal concerns such as access rights. It looks at surface level issues, highlighting any problems like subsidence, damp and anything that doesn’t meet building regulations. The surveyor will also value the property.
Building Survey
This is a full structural survey and the most thorough one. It gives a comprehensive analysis of the property’s structure and condition. The surveyor will be very hands-on, checking under floorboards, loft space and services. They will highlight any defects and advise on repairs. The report can even include projected costs and timings of repairs required. This survey is recommended for large or old properties, as well as those in a poor state. It’s a good choice if you plan to do extensive work to the home or if you had any concerns when you viewed the house.
Newbuild Homes – Snagging Inspection
Newbuilds do not require a survey but will instead have a snagging inspection. The developer will need to repair any snags before you move in.
Do I need a building survey?
Building surveys are not mandatory and many people neglect to have one. However, it will highlight if the property needs any work or repairs carried out before you buy. It is highly recommended for properties that are listed, over 50 years old, timber-framed, have thatched roofs or are in a poor state of repair. It gives you peace of mind that there won’t be any future costly repairs down the line. It can show up any hidden problems that you may not spot from looking around yourself. The survey may even make you reconsider buying the property altogether. Remember that knowledge is power. Buying a house is likely to be one of your biggest investments, you don’t want to go into it blind.
How long does a property survey take?
The survey can take anything from 1 hour up to 8 hours. It all depends on which survey you choose and the complexity of the property. Factors such as the type of house, its age, the manner of construction, the extent and nature of any defects found and whether it’s occupied, will all affect how long the survey takes. The condition report will only take an hour or so. The homebuyer report can take up to 4 hours and the building survey can take up to a day.
How long does a building survey take to come back?
It can be nerve-wracking waiting to get your report back, especially if you have your heart set on the house. The time the survey takes depends on the complexity of the report. You can ask your surveyor for a timescale. Generally, a condition or homebuyer report can take up to 5 working days and a building survey, up to 10 days.
What do you do when you get the property survey results back?
The surveyor can talk you through the report. If there are no major problems and the surveyor deems that everything is in good order, you can go ahead with the purchase, happy in the knowledge that you’re buying a property in fair condition. Don’t be alarmed if the survey does highlight issues, it is quite common. The surveyor will let you know if the issues uncovered are minor or more of a concern. If there are serious issues, you may want to pull out of the sale altogether. Remember you’re not legally bound to purchase the property until the exchange of contracts. You may love the house and want to proceed regardless of any issues. In this case, you can ask the seller to fix the problems or renegotiate the price.
Why should you choose Taylor chartered surveyor to carry out your building survey?
As a RICS regulated chartered surveyor in Essex, we are committed to high standards. We have 90 years of combined experience in providing full building surveys. If you’re looking for a building survey in Essex, we are here to help you with any advice and support.