Residential Property Services

We are a building consultancy, and can offer a range of services to suit the home owner. We specialise in all kinds property surveys and can offer the following types of survey reports for residential properties. Please click on to any of the services below to find out more information:

Understanding Property Surveys: A Helping Hand from RICS

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Surprisingly many of us still proceed with a home purchase without commissioning the most appropriate survey, or rely solely on the mortgage valuation report.

We have a wealth of experience within our practice and can provide a full range of residential survey reports to suite the building owner's requirements. Each survey is tailored to the clients needs and can address any concerns the client has with regard to the property he is purchasing. All surveys are undertaken by a fully qualified chartered building surveyor and in accordance with current surveying practices approved by the Royal institute of Chartered surveyors.

Property Valuation Report

A valuation is not a survey. It's a limited check carried out on behalf of your mortgage lender to spot anything that affects the security of the mortgage lender loan. In most cases you will not have any redress on the valuer, if a physical defect has been omitted.

The report is provided in a standard format, including photographs.

Property Condition Report

Photo of a terraced house
This type of survey provides property advice on the condition of the property only. This report can include a valuation element or cost report. This type of survey can be instructed for all property types and generally houses of less than 40 years old.

The contents of the report include;
  • Property description
  • External building inspection
  • Internal building inspection.
  • External boundaries and gardens
  • Services
  • Valuation or Rebuild cost
  • Report conclusions
  • Photographs.
This type of survey is prepared in a standard format and provides a cheaper alternative to the more detailed building survey. The condition survey differs from the building survey by focusing on the essential defects and problems which are urgent, significant, or have a material effect on the value of the property and descriptions and is less detailed in content than the more detailed building survey.

Building Survey Report

Photo of a semi detached house
Building Surveys, involve a lengthy examination of a property and a very detailed report setting out repairs in clear order of priority. A building survey report is a detailed examination of all accessible parts of the property and can be tailor made to suite the clients individual needs and concerns

The contents of the report include;
  • Property description
  • External building inspection
  • Internal building inspection
  • External boundaries and gardens
  • Services
  • Cost report
  • Report conclusions
  • Photographs
A building survey formerly known as a structural survey is suitable for all properties regardless of age and provides a more detailed picture of the construction and condition. It is likely to be needed if the property is particularly large, is of unusual construction, is dilapidated, or has been extensively altered. The report can be tailored to the client's individual requirements, such as when a major conversion or renovation is planned. It will include more detailed information on construction, condition and the building materials than a home condition report.

The report includes a cost breakdown of the repairs highlighted in the report conclusions and this provides further client information that would be useful in the purchase of the property.

Defect Report

Photo showing damp problems in a house Photo showing a crack in the side of a house
Occasionally, clients require advice on a particular aspect of a building such as an individual crack, dampness or other problem, which may have been observed during maintenance work or raised within a limited survey or mortgage valuation report.

The contents of the report include;
  • Introduction
  • Defect Investigation
  • Conclusion
  • Photographs
We can tailor our defect report to the particular requirements of our clients and provide specific advice without necessarily having to undertake a full survey of the building.

Property condition reports for Flats and Maisonettes

Photo of 3 large blocks of flats
We undertake condition surveys of flats and maisonettes providing advice to clients concerning all aspects of service charges and general maintenance of the exterior of the building, common areas, and internal finishes.

The contents of the report include;
  • Property description
  • External building inspection
  • Flat accommodation
  • Services
  • Service charge / Costs
  • Valuation
  • Report conclusions
  • Photographs
It is important to any potential buyer all information and service charge costs are assessed in conjunction with the condition of the main fabric of the building.