RICS Home Survey
What is a Home Survey?
An RICS Home Survey is a specific service offered by RICS firms. The Survey provides an expert account of the property's condition and highlights any problems in a clear and easy to understand way. During a survey we will conduct an in depth visual inspection of the property and provide a comprehensive report. We offer Level 2 Home Surveys (formerly Homebuyer Surveys) and Level 3 Home Surveys (Formerly Building Surveys) with or without valuation advice.
Why choose a Home Survey
Choosing the right survey will help highlight specific risks and potential negotiation points before you commit to the process of buying or selling a property.
Buying a home - When buying a home it's important to remember that your mortgage lenders valuation is not a condition survey. It merely tells your lender whether or not the property is reasonable security for lending. An RICS survey will inform you about the condition of the property. This could be vital information that can be invaluable during price negotiations, and will also help you avoid expensive surprises after you've moved in.
Selling a home - An RICS survey can be an aid to selling your home. It will highlight problems that may delay your sale or cause priced reductions later in the process.
Staying at home - A survey of your current home will alert your of potential defects and help you prioritise and plan ahead for future repair and maintenance costs.
Level 2 Home Survey (Homebuyer Survey)
Our Level 2 Home Surveys are popular for the majority of purchasers
This report is ideal for homes that are of traditional construction and in a reasonable state of repair. For older, unconventional or significantly altered property we recommend a level 3 Survey.
Level 2 service includes:
- Physical inspection of the property
- A report based on the inspection
The surveyor aims to give you professional advice to:
- Make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property
- Take into account any repairs or replacements the property needs
- Consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchasing.
Level 3 Home Survey (Building Survey)
Our Level 3 Home Surveys provide the most in depth property reports
This report is best suited when considering a property which maybe of complex construction, older, significantly altered or in neglected condition.
Level 3 service includes:
- A thorough inspection of the property
- A detailed report based on the inspection
The surveyor aims to give you professional advice to:
- Help make a reasoned and informed decision when purchasing the property or when planning for repairs, maintenance or upgrading the property
- Provide detailed advice on condition
- Describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects
- Propose the most probable cause of the defects based on the inspection
Valuation and Reinstatement Cost Assessment
In addition to providing Level 2 & 3 Home Surveys we can provide market valuation advice to consider whether the property is a reasonable proposition for purchase and a building reinstatement cost assessment to confirm the level of insurance cover required. Please contact our office for further details.