When would you get a building survey?

A building survey is usually associated with a property purchase. But is it always necessary?

If the property is new enough still to be covered by an NHBC guarantee, probably not. But then, what if you fail to spot pre-existing damp until after the guarantee has expired? In such scenarios, a building survey is a sensible move for anyone considering the purchase of a property.

As buildings get older the likelihood of problems increase. A 50-year-old house may appear to be extremely well maintained and in very good condition, but appearances can be deceptive.

Your surveyor has the experience, knowledge and tools (damp meters, drones etc) to make a much sounder judgement than you. It’s better to get a survey and have peace of mind than to be landed with a bill for thousands on remedial works almost straight after moving in.

Why else might you need a survey? Perhaps you know that the property you’re after needs a lot of work doing to get it up to scratch. You may choose to get a costed building survey, identifying work required and the likely total cost, so that you can better negotiate on price with the vendor.

Or perhaps you are the vendor. Getting a building survey (with valuation) does represent an extra cost. But being upfront with your buyer about the remedial work needed should make it easier to get the sale.

Different types of building survey

For RICS surveyors there are three levels of survey. Level 1 is “entry level” for low risk properties. Level 2 HomeBuyers survey is recommended for the majority of older, basically sound properties. Level 3 goes into the greatest detail and is appropriate for properties over 100 years old such as listed buildings and conservation areas, where planning restrictions can be onerous.

The cost of a building survey can vary considerably depending on size of the property, any extras added to the standard format, where the property is located and which firm you choose to engage. Typically, a Level 2 Survey for a 3 bedroom semi detached property might cost between £400 and £800.

Benefits of a building survey

A building survey from a RICS surveyor is like an insurance policy. The detailed report, with potential and actual problem areas identified, takes a huge amount of the risk out of buying a property. Other benefits include:

• Accurate building information such as dimensions and layout
• Identifying remedial costs to help you potentially negotiate on the property asking price
• Increase property value with building information for potential buyers or tenants

Ultimately, a building survey gives you peace of mind you have almost certainly made a sound investment. While it may cost more than other types of surveys, it’s deep dive into a property can often save you more money in the long run.

If you have any questions about building surveys, or would like to book a survey, get in touch by calling 01273 031646. We’d be glad to help.