Need a Survey?

What will the surveyor write about?


The report will focus on five main areas:

  • The present general condition of the house
    This will cover the interior and exterior of the building and the local vicinity of the property. Both the general state of repair and particular features of the property will be discussed.

  • Major defects
    Particular emphasis will be placed on any particular features that may affect either the present value, or the ability to resell the property at a later date. It will be up to the surveyor to judge what the urgent and significant matters are that could affect the market value of the property

  • A recommendation for future maintenance requirements
    The report will draw your attention to any work that will need to be done either immediately or in the relatively near future.

  • Particular points that should be discussed with solicitor
    These could be issues relating to the lease, terms of occupancy, rights of way, responsibilities and rights, parking spaces and so on.

  • Any other relevant matters that should be taken into account
    The surveyor will not hold back from mentioning anything that they feel is helpful and constructive, as well as pointing out any things that may require further investigation.
 
Home buyer reports FAQ's

A homebuyer's report is the most commonly used professional study of the building you are buying. The overwhelming majority of househunters use a homebuyer's report as a guide to the condition of the property.

What is a homebuyer report?

The homebuyer report service involves a surveyor visiting your home and inspecting it. They will only inspect those areas of the property that are reasonably accessible or visible. They will then write a report on the property, as well as performing a basic valuation.

What types of property will need this type of survey?

The recommended use of homebuyer's reports is for conventional houses and flats that appear to be of a reasonable age and condition.

Who is it aimed at?

Unlike a standalone basic valuation, a homebuyer's report is written for you. Much of what is written in the report will not be of interest to the mortgage lender. Its purpose is to help you make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with the purchase at the agreed price and also to assess any urgent or major problems with the property.

How much will it cost?

A homebuyer's survey is more expensive than a basic valuation, but less so than a full structural survey. Sometimes a mortgage lender will refund the cost of a basic valuation on completion of the mortgage transaction. Where this is the case, you will only end up paying the difference between the cost of the valuation and that of the homebuyer's report. As rough guide, you can expect to pay £200 - £450 for your homebuyer survey.

What format will the report take?

You will receive a concise report in a standardised format of between ten and twenty pages in length. The normal order of topics is Introduction and overall opinion, the property & location, the building, the services & site, Legal & other matters, Summary, Valuation.