Building Surveys

Professional Building Reports

Many other surveyors use the term ‘Structural Surveys’ for Building Surveys. A building survey is highly recommended for houses that are a hundred years old or more, as well as for houses that have been altered, even new build, since it examines every visible and accessible part inside and out. As the Building Survey covers more points, it will be more detailed and more expensive than a Homebuyer’s Report.

Canterbury Property Survey – First Time Buyers or Experienced Investors

Do you wish to start your property journey in Canterbury? If you are looking to buy or invest in Canterbury, the RICS Level 3 Building Survey stands out for its comprehensive and well-informed advice in any structure you consider.

Buying a property in Canterbury is difficult for anyone, not just first-time buyers. So if anyone needs help understanding a building survey, we suggest using RPSA, CIOB or RICS Chartered Surveyors with extensive knowledge of Canterbury. Having a Building Survey will make sure you are aware of both the condition and any upcoming repairs for the property you are buying.

Residential Surveys

No matter if this is your first time buying or if you’re adding another to your portfolio, make sure you get a survey completed. You must check for problems with the property and what repairs are needed immediately. How much will it be to replace the roof? Is subsidence a possible danger? How do the local areas organise their development plans? Will your next door neighbours be trespassing on your garden or doing something that could influence how much your home is worth? All of these aspects are important to know

Roof Surveys for Homes

The Chartered Surveyors in Canterbury are recognised as top Building Surveyors accredited by CIOB, RPSA and/or RICS. So if a Building Survey in Canterbury is what you require, we would love to assist you!

Checking that you have the suitable survey done on your Canterbury property is very important. It is not necessary to have a drone survey if you are able to go onto the roof of your Canterbury flat and you would not usually have to get a damp and timber survey for a new flat in the city center.

Which survey is necessary depends on several things, but the age, location and condition of the property in Canterbury are key variables. Hiring an independent chartered surveyor who deals with Canterbury properties can help you choose the correct survey for your situation. Having this information will help you feel more confident and decide your next steps in trying to purchase the home.

Different Types of Building Surveys in Canterbury, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester & Cardiff

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) provides guidance on how to carry out building surveys. The RICS guidance describes survey types by using levels.

RICS Level 1 Condition Report Canterbury

The purpose of a condition report is simple, giving a summary of the property’s condition which makes it best for modern and unexceptional properties.

Most of the problems listed in the Homebuyer’s report are also found in the Level 1 Condition Report, but it does not give an in-depth explanation since it is not designed for home purchases. Some people regard the RICS Level 1 Condition Report as the same as a Schedule of Condition which can be useful in lease or party wall situations.

RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report Canterbury

The Homebuyer Report level 2 is designed to give a more detailed account of any everyday property. A qualified RICS surveyor will usually perform the RICS Level 2 Homebuyers Report, checking the building for visible problems such as damp, subsidence and timber decay and explaining the recommended next steps, remedies and possible threats.

With the traffic light system designed by RICS, this service can advise clients on the condition of all the structural elements. Market valuation and assessing the cost to rebuild the property for insurance needs are usually part of this process. If you want more details about a conventional, newer build home and are buying, selling or living there, the RICS Level 2 Homebuyers Report is the common minimum.

RICS Level 3 Building Survey Canterbury

A thorough description of the current state and the problems that need fixing. Since this is the best report, it should be provided to all clients, regardless of whether there are concerns or not. The report helps when it is known the property is having issues, the client wants to do significant renovations or when the property is extremely old, large or is built in a complex way. Most of the detailed reports are prepared by a veteran RICS surveyor.

During the Level 3 Survey, the inspector will look at both the inside and outside of the property to find any defects, issues and repairs needed. Instead of being like the previous surveys, the Level 3 report is customised, written in clear language and gives detailed guidance on what needs repairing. You can also choose to get an estimate of the repair costs as well as additional details about the construction and the materials present.

Why should you obtain a Building Survey if you are buying a property in Canterbury?

It will almost certainly save you money. These building survey reports identify even the tiniest of troubles with a property. The surveyors on our panel pride themselves on their attention to detail, and that’s how it should be. What may seem like a relatively minor detail could easily become a significant problem in a property. How would you feel about taking out a mortgage on a property that, unbeknownst to you, had substantial issues? You would want to find out before you exchanged what are the property issues that a Building Survey could highlight for you.

Building survey costs

The expense of a building survey can differ significantly based on the property’s dimensions and the nature of the requested survey. Currently, level 3 surveys (which are full structural surveys of buildings) generally begin at about £800. Building survey level 2 (which is also called a Homebuyer Report) typically starts at around £700.

The difference between Mortgage Surveys and Building Surveys

Mortgages and building surveys are two very different things. People commonly assume that if they get a mortgage valuation, they will gain some understanding of the property’s condition. However, it is a very brief report that serves only mortgage purposes.

A mortgage valuation is therefore not to be mistaken for a level 3 survey.

The latest Building Surveying Technology

What is now the most sophisticated and thorough of all condition surveys is the Full Building Survey. It provides an in-depth level of detail and using equipment that would be hard to match. The Full Building Survey is unique and includes photographs, using advanced equipment which will assess the following:

Structural Condition of the Building
Roof Structure
External Walls
Doors
Windows
Timber Rot
Dampness
Movement
Insulation
Condensation
Services (drainage, gas, electricity, water, heating, etc.)

How long does it take to carry out a Building Survey?

Ordinarily 2-4 hours. This depends on several factors, prominent among them the type of property, its dimensions, and the intricate nature of any problems under consideration. For routine surveys, the “rule of thumb” is that it takes about an hour for each storey of the building. For more surveys, when there are many more things to look at, the surveyor can easily take a long day to get it done.

When should you arrange a post-survey call with the Surveyor?

As soon as you get the survey report, schedule a follow-up call with the surveyor. This allows you to digest the report and have it handy when you go in to talk with the surveyor. You can then address any major points of concern that you have, ask for clarification of anything you don’t understand, and get the surveyor’s take on what it all means and what you should do next.

What should one do if a Building Survey reveals problems?

A building survey is a comprehensive inspection of a property undertaken by a qualified chartered surveyor. The survey is carried out to provide potential buyers with a clear picture of the condition of the property before they commit to buying it.

Most potential buyers know little about the building process and even less about what it takes to maintain a structure. Many unwittingly place themselves in a situation where they are faced with costly defects as a result of not commissioning a survey. So, book yours via us today!

Price of Survey

HomeBuyer Report

£700 + VAT

(average price)

A common report for properties built after 1900 using brick and traditional skills without large additions such as extensions:

all accessible areas visually inspected
issues requiring repair or more investigation identified
free expert post-survey call
not as detailed and focuses more on significant and urgent matters
traffic light system against each element condition
photographs not always included
limited advice on repair or costings
market valuation (with insurance reinstatement) estimate

Full Building Survey

£800 + VAT