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It’s estimated that 80 per cent of homebuyers don't bother to get a professional survey carried out on properties before buying them. Many people rely on the valuation report mortgage lenders insist on. This is carried out to confirm the property is basically sound and suitable security for lending - these reports contain minimal detail and should not be relied upon as proof that the building is in good order.
Considering the level of money involved in purchasing a property, simply trusting this type of report would seem foolhardy, when, for a comparatively small fee, your investment could be thoroughly checked.
There are three main options available to homebuyers when considering the purchase of a property – The ‘Homebuyer’s Report’ and the ‘Building Survey’.
This is a standard survey drawn up by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is likely to the best choice if the property is in reasonable condition and is conventional in type and construction.
The nine-page form covers each major section of the property but is based purely on what is visible to the surveyor. It won’t reveal faulty wiring or hidden damp, but should identify areas which need further tests or investigation. This survey will be cheaper than a building survey but is probably unsuitable for unusual buildings or those more than 100 years old. The exact cost will depend on various conditions. Expect to pay anything from £250.00 plus VAT for a Homebuyer Survey and Valuation.
This is a basic visual inspection of the property by a qualified valuer, in order to provide an open market value which is given in writing . This inspection is not designed to establish the condition of the property. Fees for this type of report are from £95.00 plus VAT.
Not be be confused with any other form of valuation, this report provides a formal valuation of the property in question for insurance purposes. This type of valuation takes into consideration the cost of totally rebuilding the property including site clearance. In order to avoid the perils of being underinsured, it is recommended that all property owners have a formal valuation of their properties on a regular basis. The fee for this type of valuation would be dependant on the type of property in question and will be quoted upon further enquiry.
A specialised thorough inspection of the buildings structure. This type of inspection may be recommended, following a RICS house buyers report and would not generally be required for a property of modern construction. |
