Do I need a home survey?

As a practising Chartered Surveyor, Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), this is a question I’m often asked.  The short answer is yes and it’s worth noting that anyone involved in the sale of your chosen property should tell you likewise, if they are not doing so then they may well be in breach of Trading Standards Guidance!

So why do I need one and what type of survey should I have?

A simple reason, albeit there are many, many other reasons, is that you don’t know what the person  selling has done to the property. They may have undertaken works incorrectly, had defects poorly repaired, damaged elements of the building during their occupation,  etc… However:

A survey is also a very useful Independent negotiation tool,  in fact independent research shows that 1 in 4 people who don’t have a survey find they have repairs costing an average of £2,500, for 1 in 10 it is over £10,000. The type of surveys we undertake could also help you achieve an asking price reduction on average of £2,000 (Source: Building Research Establishment, Aug  2010).

So I trust that tells you why, now which survey should you have?

  • RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report
    Suitable for most traditionally built properties constructed after 1840, seemingly in a reasonable condition.
  • RICS Level 3 Building Report
    Suitable for all property types.

Wayne Norcliffe FRICS, C.Build E FCABE, MISVA, RICS  Registered  Valuer

Find out more, call 0800 246 1002
Visit www.castle-surveyors.co.uk
Email enquiry@castle-surveyors.co.uk

Leave a Reply