Pre-Purchase Surveys


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We feel that it is our job to help our clients acquire their homes, and will endeavour to help as much as we can until you’re ready to make the decision to purchase.

We do not pitch ourselves as the cheapest in the marketplace; so if that’s what you’re looking for, unfortunately we’re not the firm for you.  Is the cheapest surveyor really what you want though, for the most expensive purchase you’re ever likely to make?

What we offer is a comprehensive, personal, bespoke service for the more discerning client. We aim to be the most helpful and thorough surveyors you will ever appoint, and will;

  • typically spend 3 hours on site (for a 3/4 bed semi),
  • talk to the vendors and neighbours where possible,
  • ask the vendors to complete a questionnaire (where possible),
  • meet you at the property to discuss our findings first hand
    • Internal access will need to be arranged with the vendors prior, and may not always be possible,
  • provide our full contact details and mobile phone number of the surveyor,
  • issue electronic reports approximately one week following inspection.

We can provide examples of all our survey report formats to enable you to decide which is appropriate for you.

Building Sense provide the following Pre-Purchase Surveys for residential properties; please contact us for a quotation – 0161 2151229

 

LEVEL 3: BUILDING SURVEY

A detailed report on the condition of a building, including budget repair costs and full colour photography. 

It will describe any defects found and provide advice on remedial works and future maintenance requirements. The report is based on a comprehensive inspection and may often be tailored to your own specific requirements. You may, for example, opt to upgrade the survey to include additional reports such as an electrical report or a drainage test.

A Building Survey is suitable for all types of buildings but is almost certain to be needed if the property is very old, Listed, is in need of extensive repairs or if it is not constructed using traditional building methods and materials.

Our reports are written bespoke for your property with no standard paragraphs/phrases.  The report comprises an Executive Summary section to the start, with a list of Short and Medium Term repairs with budget cost estimates.

Defects are put in context with the age and type of dwelling where appropriate, and full annotated colour photography is provided throughout the body of the report – a picture tells a thousand words.

 

LEVEL 2: ISVA HOMESURVEY REPORTS

Intermediate level concise reports designed for modern straightforward houses and flats of traditional construction.

The above three reports are very similar variations on a theme; we tend to recommend the ISVA HomeSurvey Report which is very similar to the older style RICS HomeBuyer Report, as we think it provides the most readable and useful report for clients.   The level of inspection and reporting is similar for all; the differences mostly relate to the inclusion or otherwise of a Market Valuation, and the appearance of the reporting format.

Typically the reports include:

  • Comments on the internal and external condition of the property (including an overview of the service installations).
  • Comments on any major defects or other shortcomings likely to affect your decision to purchase the property.
  • Comments on the overall condition of any permanent outbuildings and in relation to the site.
  • Any particular points or issues that you should refer to your legal adviser.
  • An opinion of the Market Value of the property, if required by the client, for the purpose of negotiating the final purchase price.
  • The estimated rebuilding (or “reinstatement”) cost of the property for insurance purposes, if required.

The information is provided in a simple and straightforward layout, which is easy to read and understand. The report is based on a visual inspection of as much of the interior and exterior of the building as is reasonably and safely accessible.

This type of report is suitable for most conventionally built residential properties, constructed since around 1900. Properties that are unusual by virtue of their design or construction, or those that are particularly large might require a more detailed report, such as a Building Survey. Your surveyor will advise you further in this respect, during the preliminary discussion.