We specialise in arranging residential property valuations and surveys using RICS Surveyors and specialists to carry out a range of reports.

Also known as a ’structural survey’ or a ‘full survey’, a Building Survey is an in depth report suitable for older and larger properties or those that have been extended or altered.

1. The building survey is the most comprehensive type of report.  The service is a tailor made report covering all the visible parts, including the roof voids of the property.
2. The Surveyor’s main objective in providing the report is to assist the prospective homebuyer to make a reasoned and informed judgment on whether or not to proceed with the purchase, assess whether or not the property is a reasonable purchase at the agreed price and enables the homebuyer to be clear what decisions and actions should be taken before contracts are exchanged.
3. The report provides detailed information and advice in an individual format.  The Building Survey follows the trail of any faults and finding out why they have happened.  Providing advice on how the problems can be rectified, and in which order the work should be carried out. This is particularly useful when you are receiving quotes for the remedial work and will greatly help you re-negotiate the purchase price of your new home. The report is unlike a homebuyers report, which is a set format with the surveyor answering listed questions.
4. The surveyor will identify all significant defects or factors that will materially affect the value of your new home.  These can then be addressed before completing the negotiations on the agreed purchase price and before exchanging contracts.
5. You will receive a detailed analysis of the causes of problems and the repairs needed.  There will be the surveyor’s assessment of the construction and condition of the property, giving technical advice on the remedial works.
6. You will get advice on any future maintenance that the property will need.  This will help you assess the real cost of the purchase over a set period of time allowing for any work to be carried out.  This makes your purchase more transparent and allows you to proceed with your eyes open.
7. The scope of the inspection will vary depending upon the property itself and particularly if the property is furnished.  The surveyor is not allowed to move items of furniture or to take up fitted carpets, but if it is possible he will pull up corners of carpet where possible to inspect the floor below.  If a room is heavily cluttered the surveyor can only give a judgment on what is there.
8. This style of report is suitable for all types of properties. But if it is wanted for a flat the whole building will need to be inspected along with each individual flat.

This is carried out by a professionally qualified surveyor and is generally suitable for properties under 100 years old, in reasonable condition and that have not been extensively altered or added to. The report comes in a set format and will look at all aspects of the house answering set questions laid out by the RICS.

All reasonably accessible parts of the property are inspected, including entering the roof void to report on roof structure and where possible the lifting of manhole covers to inspect drainage and water flow.

We can include a market value figure and a 6 -8 weeks, 4- 6 week and 2-4 week marketing figures if required. We will also include 3 comparables as standard.

This is our own format developed specifically for the builders part exchange market.  The inspection is carried out by a qualified professional surveyor  and is the same detailed inspection as the RICS Homebuyers report but the report is less verbose.  It is an easy to read format and has all the standard caveats taken out and included in the terms and conditions.

All reasonably accessible parts of the property are inspected, including entering the roof void to report on roof structure and where possible the lifting of manhole covers to inspect drainage and water flow is included.

We can include a market value figure and 6-8 weeks,  4- 6 week  and 2-4 week marketing figures  if required. We will also include 3 comparables as standard.

A professionally qualified surveyor will inspect the property, this is suitable for properties under ten years old and with a current NHBC. Otherwise it can be used to receive an accurate market value and recommended asking price. It will also give you an overview of the property, is internal and external condition and any major faults along with marketability of the area and comparable evidence of recent local sales to back up their valuation.

A professionally qualified surveyor will inspect the property.  The report will give you an accurate market value, recommended asking price, along with a quick sale price .  It will also give you an overview of the property, its internal and external condition and any major faults along with marketability of the area and comparable evidence of recent local sales to back up their valuation.

If a problem is evident you will need a SPECIFIC STRUCTURAL INSPECTION. A Specific Structural Inspection is a visual inspection of a particular structural problem or concern, and would include any related matters. It should be noted that parts of the property not related to the specific problem may not be inspected. However, if the Engineer/Surveyor were to identify any other structural problems or concerns during the course of the inspection, these might also be noted in the report.

The report includes details of what was inspected and found. It will state whether or not there is a problem and if so, what needs to be done to rectify the problem or what further investigations may be necessary. Where repairs/remedial works, or further investigations are recommended, the report will give an idea of costings for these, if required.

If you are unsure of what the problem is or think they may be more than one area the needs looking it you will need GENERAL STRUCTURAL INSPECTION This is similar to a Specific Structural Inspection, except that the Engineer/Surveyor will inspect and report on the structural condition and adequacy of all the readily accessible load-bearing elements of the property (not just a particular problem area). The inspection will include the roof structure, floors, walls, lintels, and beams. It will also include the surrounding site in case there are any factors which could indicate a risk to the foundations.
The report will detail the structural condition and adequacy of all the loadbearing elements inspected. It will identify any structural problems or concerns and will recommend what needs to be done to rectify the problem or what further investigations may be necessary. Where repairs/remedial works, or further investigations are recommended, the report will give costings for these, if required.

A professionally qualified surveyor will take a look at the external of the property and research other similar properties in the area to come up with a market value and if needed a retrospective valuation using old records available to them. As only an external view is seen they can only guess at the internal layout and condition using local knowledge of other properties of the same design. The market value is only to be used as a guide as structural faults may not be visible from the road view but could considerably affect the value.

A surveyor will take a look at the outside of the property and call by phone with an estimated market value- Local Knowledge is used but no research is completed and they can only guess the house type from the style and cannot see the condition inside the property so it is only a very rough guide . No report is received. These are only available to a very limited number of clients.

Were blocked, or damaged drains are suspected in previous reports we can arrange for a drain specialist to put a CCTV down the drain to photograph the drain channels so they can report accurately on the condition of the drainage system and recommend any work that is needed along with costings.  You will receive a video of the inspection.

Were timber and or damp problems are found in previous reports we can arrange a timber and damp specialist to inspect and report on the condition and cause of any damp found along with a detailed quote for the problem to be remedied.  Under floor inspections will need any furniture and floor coverings removed or loosened before the inspection to allow easy access, it will be your responsibility to replace any floor coverings or furniture after the inspection and again before and after any work is completed.

This must be instructed when you are going to sell any property in England or Wales.  The pack consists of :- Home information Pack Index, Energy Performance Certificate, Sale Statement, Standard Searches, Evidence of Title, if it’s a leasehold or commonhold, the management company and leasehold details are included.  For new properties a Code of Sustainable Homes will be included as this it to meet with Building Regulations.  Up until 31st December 2008 the house can be marketed as long as a HIP has been ordered.  From 1st January 2009 the HIP must be completed and in place before marketing can commence.

This will give you a recognized rating on your property along with some suggestions for work that could be carried out to cut your heating bills and make your property more efficient.

Many clients are now arranging electrical reports before completion on properties just to make sure they are safe. We can arrange a CORGI inspectors and tests of the gas installation and appliances, i.e. gas boiler, cooker and gas fires which also identifies any gas leaks or poisonous carbon monoxide (CO).

Many clients are now arranging electrical reports before completion on properties just to make sure they are safe. We can arrange electrical inspectors to carry out a visual and functional inspection of up to six domestic appliances and a polarity and earth loop test to 50% of the sockets within the property.

Where brine is suspected or the issue is raised in an earlier report we can arrange we can arrange for a specialist to drill out a bore hole and take a sample of the foundations.  The sample will be sent off for analysis,   this type of analysis usually takes at least 2 weeks to come back after which a report will be completed and forwarded with results and any recommendations.