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November 2023

The Importance of a Survey

With all the expense of moving, you may be thinking is it worth paying for a survey? Karen Wilson explains why you should consider this as an important step in the home buying process.

With all the expense of moving, you may be thinking is it worth paying for a survey? Karen Wilson explains why you should consider this as an important step in the home buying process. 

‘Caveat Emptor’

When buying a property, the legal principle of caveat emptor “let the buyer beware” still applies to the conveyancing process.  This places the onus on the buyer to carry out their own investigations so they are aware of any physical defects.  

Although not compulsory, it is advisable to have a survey carried out. Not only does it provide reassurance, it can potentially reveal expensive works which a buyer may have been unaware of  when viewing a property.  As a result, they may decide not to proceed or they can seek estimates for the cost of the works revealed and possibly seek to re-negotiate the purchase price to re-coup some of those unforeseen costs.  
 
Will a survey delay the conveyancing process?

It is important to carry out a survey at the early stages of the conveyancing process. This will allow time for you to review the report and ensure you are paying the correct price for the property. After all, buying a property is likely to be one the biggest investments a person makes and although the cost of a survey will range from a few hundred pounds upwards  (costs will depend on the type of survey), it will be money well spent!

Who carries out the survey?

A survey is carried out by a qualified surveyor who should be a member of one of the two main accredited bodies the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA).

Which survey should I go for?

There are three main types of  survey:-

Condition survey (level 1)

A condition report will give an overview of the condition of a property and highlight issues but will not go into detail.  This type of survey is suited to modern properties that appear to be in good condition.

Homebuyers survey (level 2)

A home buyer survey is a detailed assessment of the property’s condition and will involve a visual inspection of the areas of the property that are accessible to the surveyor.  It will highlight problems that are readily event but does not go into detail on the structure of the property.  It will not contain any detailed advice on repairs.  This type of survey is suited to fairly new, conventionally built properties that appear to be in good condition.

Full Building survey (level 3)

A full building survey will provide a comprehensive assessment of the structure and condition of the property. It will also include estimated costs of any repairs that are required.  This type of survey is suited to large, old, run down properties, those that have unusual features or where  you plan to do any significant work to the property after completion.

You can use RICS or RPSA websites to search for recommended surveyors in your area. Your conveyancer or estate agent may also be able to recommend a surveyor. 

Karen concludes conducting a comprehensive investigation on your dream home is vital to help you make an informed decision and could save you significant trouble and expense in the future.

Please note this article is provided for general information purposes only to clients and friends of Hayward Moon Limited. It is not intended to impart legal advice on any matter. Specialist advice should be taken in relation to specific circumstances. Whilst we endeavour to ensure that the information in this article is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy, and Hayward Moon Limited does not accept any liability for error or omission. 

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