Building surveys are an essential requirement when buying property, as they ensure that the building is structurally sound and free from defects. There are a number of building surveys you could commission, and they include the following.
1. Survey Level One – Condition Report
This is the most basic form of building survey, which uses a traffic light system; green means all is good, amber means cause for concern, while red indicates that repairs are necessary. Fortunately, there is Castle Surveys expert surveyors in Leicester who are qualified to carry out all forms of building survey. This type of survey does not go into much detail, and it is a basic inspection that is designed to complement a mortgage evaluation. This survey would be suitable for a new build, as it is a basic form of survey that is suitable for a new property.
2. Survey Level Two – Home Buyer’s Report
This is the most popular survey and comes with or without an evaluation. The report covers damp, structural integrity and other aspects of the general condition of the property, yet the surveyor does not move furniture while inspecting the property, so it is not 100%. The home buyers report with an evaluation is identical to the one with no valuation, with the exception of the property is valued at the time of inspection. As the name suggests, the home buyer’s report is suitable for a person who is thinking of buying a property. There is also some more information on property surveys that are available in the UK, which you can easily refer to.
3. Building Survey Level Three
This is the most thorough and therefore the most expensive of all the domestic property surveys, which involves inspecting every part of the building. The surveyor will issue a detailed written report, and this survey is ideal if you are thinking of buying an old property. This survey also contains information about the type of repairs that are needed, and will also state the likely consequences if the repairs are not carried out. The level three survey is the most comprehensive and it is recommended when looking at an older property with a view to purchasing.
Sourcing a Building Surveyor
The Internet can certainly help if you are looking for an affordable company that specialises in property surveys, and should you feel the price quoted is a little on the high side, you can ask several companies to quote for the surveying. It is important that the survey company is approved to carry out such surveys, and they should be affiliated with the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) criteria, which is a strong indication that the surveyor is more than qualified to carry our building surveys.
Having a building survey carried out gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing the building is, in fact, in good order, and the surveyor can offer you advice on which survey you need to carry out. In the event the survey reveals any issues, you are in a position to discuss this with the seller and have them carry out effective repairs.
