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Homebuyer Condition Surveys, Building (Structural) Surveys and our own PropChex34 © Property Condition Inspections.
Whilst it is generally accepted that you will need an estate agent to help you find the property, to negotiate the sale and help you navigate your way through the various systems, many homebuyers do not consider the importance of having a reliable, accurate and fully documented account of the properties overall condition carried out to help the prospective purchaser to to determine if the property will be a worthwhile investment. Having a condition survey undertaken, will assist the buyer immensely, to help develop a better plan for purchase or for negotiation.
When looking closely at the average property transaction you will find that as a prospective buyer you really don’t have anyone acting on your behalf (apart from perhaps your solicitor) for example, the estate agent will be acting on behalf of the seller not you the buyer. The bank or building society will arrange the mortgage valuation which as is already established, is not for your benefit but theirs.
You should always try to note that the valuation survey is only concerned with problems that might affect the protection of the mortgage lender’s loan and as such, the Mortgage Valuation is neither designed or expected to reveal any structural or defects problems to you. The lender simply needs to know that they can recoup their loan, if need be. There may well be problems with the property but they will not appear in the valuation report and as such, commissioning an independent building survey, a Homebuyer Condition Report or a PropChex34 survey that you will own and can discuss with the surveyor is by far the better option.
Building Surveys, also referred to as Structural Surveys provide a detailed report on the property’s construction and its current condition. In general terms a Building Survey is very highly recommended by most 'informed' property experts for older houses or those that may have obvious problems however the building (structural) survey can be applied to any age, shape, size or condition of property and has proved to be particularly helpful for those properties that are dilapidated or have been extensively altered over time.
The Homebuyer Condition Survey
If the house that you are interested in was built between say 1900 and now, you may wish to consider commissioning the Homebuyer Survey at a lower cost. This survey is generally suitable for situations where major problem detection is unlikely however, problems do exist and are often hidden. Site Inspection Services treat all condition surveys exactly the same inspection-wise and everything is inspected rather than writing out lists of obscure reasons for not doing so. Drains, inspection chambers, plumbing and wiring condition, roof space, and the roof surface areas, the masonry and DPC condition is all inspected.
If you have a particular issue with the property, or if you require additional services, perhaps the provision of a schedule of defects for later discussion with a contractor or with local tradesmen, this can also be arranged.
Defects in Houses, Flats and all buildings generally are due to either, poor design, bad workmanship or a culmination of both mixed with an occasional case of maintenance neglect, and in order to evaluate the condition of any building, time has to be spent examining all elements within the building’s construction.
On receipt of the survey report and the CD containing all of the inspection photographs, a completed condition categories report and the photo-report, you can contact me at any time, seven days a week, as often as you need to in order for you to reach a fully comprehensive understanding of the condition status of the property. I'm out on the road early most days but I am always contactable. A valuation and a rebuild cost estimate is included with the issued Homebuyers Condition Survey Report but can be included with both the Building (Structural) Survey and the PropChex 34 inspection if requested.
° BCIS is the Building Cost Information Service of RICS °
Site Inspection Service's responsibilities in relation to Health & Safety are maintained by implementing and promoting safe working practices at all times. Ensuring compliance with safety regulations / Health and Safety Policies. A member of IOSH and fully trained and up to date with CITB / GE700 construction Safety Standards.
The Small Office | 1 Maple Road | Ashtead | Surrey | KT21 2LX.
T: 01372 2769497 M: 07710 200848 E: ian@site-inspection-services.com or i.gibb@btconnect.com
Indemnity and PL Insurance Refs: P0044702-Sun Alliance PLC / Caunce O’Hara.
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