Compare Our Surveys
The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 is designed for properties of standard construction and those that are under 100 years of age. The RICS Building Survey, however is designed for properties that are of non standard construction, have been heavily modified and those that are over 100 Years Old. However, there is a little more to it than that…
Types of Survey
What survey is right for me? | HomeBuyer Report | Building Survey |
|---|---|---|
| For those purchasing properties of standard construction |  |  |
| For those purchasing properties in excess of 150 years | |
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| For those purchasing properties that have been subject to significant alteration | |
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| Traffic light scale system that gives a clear indication of the property's condition | | |
| Provides clear advice on areas that require urgent attention | | |
| Provides advice for your Solicitors | | |
| Provides advice on repairs required and on-going maintenance | | |
| Offers a key risks report | | |
| Provides advice on issues that affect the property value | | |
| Detailed and in-depth inspection of the construction materials and how they will weather in the future | |
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| Comprehensive report commenting on the structural integrity of the property | |
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| Describes the identifiable risk of potentially hidden defects | |
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| Bespoke report tailored to each individual property | |
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What is a Survey?
A survey is a property health check carried out on behalf of any individual considering the purchase of a property. The inspection will result in a detailed report providing information about the condition of the property and any areas of concern.
Types of Survey
When buying a property, there are three levels of survey to consider:
- RICS Home Survey - Level 2 is the most common level of survey and is carried out to assess the overall condition of the property and to make sure you are not going to be walking into any headaches upon completion. Designed for conventional residential properties and those that are no older than 100 Years
- RICS Buildings Survey is the most in-depth inspection that is offered by the RICS, going into detail regarding the structural integrity and construction materials of the property. It is recommended for older properties or properties that have been significantly altered. Think barn conversion, stone-built cottage, or timber frame property
- RICS Valuation is a basic review of a property undertaken to assess it's value. If you are having a mortgage, this will be carried out by your lender
Why a survey is necessary:
Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make and arguably one of the most important purchases of your life. A survey is there to ensure you are aware of any potential issues before signing on the dotted line. Think of it like buying a car with no MOT or Service history…
The difference between a Valuation and a Survey
It is essential to understand the differences between a valuation and a survey:
- A valuation is a basic check, carried out on behalf of a mortgage lender or a cash buyer to ensure the property is worth the money being offered. It is important to recognise that the valuation carried out on behalf of the lender is there to protect the lender and provides the buyer with no protection whatsoever. Therefore, if you are buying a property, it is important you do not rely on the valuation - you should instruct an independent survey yourself.
- The valuation carried out by your lender will not assess the condition of the property, as such, they are under no obligation to disclose any information to the buyer.
With the world moving more into the digital age as each day passes, more and more valuations are being done using an AVM, or Automated Valuation Model. This is quicker and cheaper for the lender to assess the property’s value and means that a physical inspection may not be required. Hence why it is even more important to instruct an independent surveyor to assess the condition of the property on your behalf.
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Not sure what you need?
As you are now aware, there a few different types of surveys to choose from. The main of which are the RICS Home Survey – Level 2, and the RICS Building Survey. In its simplest form, the main difference between the two is the level of detail in which the surveyor will go into. The RICS Building Survey is the most comprehensive type of survey on offer and will go into far more detail regarding the overall structural integrity of the property.
However, you may not necessarily need the most expensive survey… Bigger doesn’t always mean better after all. The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 is the most common level of survey, and is what we would recommend to the majority of properties. It is still very comprehensive, covering all of the essentials of the property and is there to advise you on anything that could be detrimental to the property value. It is designed for properties that are under 100 Years old and of standard construction.
The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 is there to provide you with an easy to read, jargon free assessment of the property, while giving you as much information as possible. You can then use this to make the an informed decision on how you wish to proceed. The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 may identify several problems that you may not have picked up on…
Now, do you pull out of the purchase of your potential dream home? Or do you use the report issued by your RICS Chartered Surveyor to renegotiate with the sellers and estate agents? Had you not had had a survey done, you wouldn’t have anything to back up your claims… But you were smart and instructed a surveyor to give you the evidence you needed.
Now, if you are looking to purchase a property that is a little bit on the quirky side, then the RICS Building Survey is for you. The RICS Building Survey is much more focused on the overall structural integrity of the property and the construction materials of which it is made. Giving you a detailed, in-depth review of any potential problems that could arise in the future. This is something we would recommend to properties that are much older (100+ Years), of non-standard construction (timber frame, steel frame, stone built), or those that have been very heavily modified.
The RICS Building Survey will produce a bespoke report, meaning our surveyors aren’t restricted on how much they can write, or what they can write about. Instead, creating a tailored, personal assessment on your new home. Allowing you to gain a much more thorough understanding of the condition of the property, and with our surveyor’s expertise, ensure no hidden problems are lying beneath the surface.
Where practical and agreed, we will also aim to include any cost of repairs for those hidden problems. Now, not only do you have a detailed analysis of the property, but you have a much clearer idea of how much time, money and hassle it will take to bring the property back to its former glory. Putting you in the driving seat for any future negotiations.
Speak to Harry, part of our dedicated team
- enquiries@imyhome.co.uk
- 01844 211 007
