Building Survey in detail

the building survey

What is it?

  • A comprehensive inspection report, particularly suitable for older and period properties built before 1850
  • A detailed breakdown of advice on the repair and maintenance of the property
  • A flexible report that can be tailored to your specific requirements.

This level of service is for clients who are seeking a professional opinion based on a detailed assessment of the property. It is suitable for properties of all ages and types, except larger period properties.

The Building Survey Report is best comparable to a RICS Level 3 survey, as described in the RICS Guidance Note: Surveys of Residential Property 3rd edition.
This type of survey does not include a market valuation or reinstatement cost assessment.

We undertake a thorough and detailed survey of all areas of the property whilst remaining sensitive to the occupants, and of course, without causing damage. Service installations will be visually inspected, but not tested.

Our written report follows the Dutch NEN6727-system which rates condition in 6 levels, from excellent to very poor, clearly indicating areas of concern and includes a limited number of photographs.

the Survey

The service consists of a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a survey level two. 

Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). 

Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation – in other words, they are switched on or off and/or operated where the occupier has given permission and it is safe to do so.

Where our surveyor feels unable to reach the necessary conclusions with reasonable confidence, he will  refer the matter for further investigations. However, at survey level three such referrals should be the exception rather than the rule.

A survey level three report aims to provide the client with all the information they need to make a decision.
This level of service suits any domestic residential property in any condition.

the report

The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems.

Additionally, it will:
• describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected 
• propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection
• outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair
• make general recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary work and
• give an indication of likely costs. for necessary repairs .

Where our surveyor feels unable to reach the necessary conclusions with reasonable confidence, he will  refer the matter for further investigations. However, at survey level three such referrals should be the exception rather than the rule.

A survey level three report aims to provide the client with all the information they need to make a decision.
This level of service suits any domestic residential property in any condition.

ppm surveys

In Dutch MJOP (=Meer Jaren Onderhouds Programma) 
Essential for appartments.

 

F.A.Q.

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If you have commissioned a Building Survey then you can request this. We can only offer this by prior arrangement as we have to make sure the vendor is content for this to happen — sometimes they say no — and we also ask for payment before the survey. Please ask when you book your survey. We will give you a time to meet us, which will usually be towards the end of our survey. Any earlier and we won’t be able to tell you anything substantive — please note that we cannot do our job properly if you stay for the whole inspection as it is distracting and prevents us from giving you the best service. We find that usually around 20 minutes is enough for us to explain our findings to you.

The length of time the inspection takes is dependent on the size of the property and the extent of any defects that may be identified. For guidance, an inspection of a typical three-bedroom house in reasonable order may take 1,5 – 2 hours. Larger properties and properties with multiple defects will take more time. For very big houses two surveyors may work together.

We try, wherever possible, to dispatch our report a day or so after the inspection. Building survey reports in particular are often 40 or 50 pages long and are all individually written so this takes time. If required, a brief verbal report can be made available upon receipt of payment.

We are confident in our abilities.

However, our surveys do have ‘get out’ clauses, but we do not hide behind them. Our surveys are always definitive. Basically, we’ll report on what we can see and not on what we can’t. We can’t guess, but we can give a considered opinion.

Our small print will be written clearly, is easy to understand and we stick by our quoted fee.

Check our Survey Terms and Conditions.

Absolutely not! A mortgage valuation is just that, a valuation of the property commissioned by your mortgage or loan lender, and written purely for their benefit to assess the risk of their loan against the resale value of the property.
A survey is written for you as the prospective buyer (or home owner), to give you the best possible assessment of the property’s condition, required repairs and maintenance, etc.