Property Surveys

Telephone: 0845 300 5452

Email: surveys@perrybishop.co.uk

Buying a home is likely to be the largest single purchase you may ever make. It therefore makes good sense to find out more about the property you propose to buy, before being committed to it.

There are two main types of survey

The Homebuyers Survey and Valuation (also known as HSV, HBSV or Homebuyer Report)
The Building Survey

You can minimise the risks involved by asking our qualified Chartered Surveyors to answer these questions for you:

Is the agreed purchase price reasonable?
Are there drawbacks I don't know about?
If so, what do I need to do about them?
What are the significant defects and what is the property's general condition?
What are the implications of the defects and possible repair costs?

Commissioning your own independent Survey, is the simple, economical way to avoid unpleasant - and perhaps costly – surprises after moving in.

Depending on the seriousness of any defects and the cost of necessary repair work identified, you could try to renegotiate the purchase price to reflect the cost of repairs in your offer, or decide not to purchase the property at all.

The Homebuyer Survey and Valuation Report (HSV)

The Homebuyer Survey and Valuation Report involves a more detailed inspection of the property than the Mortgage Valuation and is a service designed to provide the Client with useful information in an easily read and understandable format at a mid-range cost.

The HSV is a service designed for properties which are of conventional construction and in apparently reasonable condition.

An HSV includes the following information:

The Property’s general condition.
Any significant defects which may affect its value.
Urgent and significant matters that need assessing before exchange of contracts, including recommendations for any further investigation by specialists.
Results of testing walls and floors for dampness and timbers for damage, including woodworm and rot.
Comments on the existence and condition of damp-proofing, insulation and the services (although the latter will not be tested).
The recommended reinstatement cost for insurance purposes (the anticipated costs of rebuilding a property in the event of damage by fire or other insured risk). This is not the same as the market value of the property.
The value of the property will be assessed in the light of its condition, as found on the day of inspection.

The main objective, is to assist you, the prospective purchaser, in making a reasoned and informed judgement on whether or not to proceed with the purchase, and to be clear about what decisions and actions should be taken before Contracts are exchanged.

The Building Survey

This is a comprehensive inspection, suitable for all property types, but especially recommended for:

Listed buildings
Property built before 1900.
Property which you plan to renovate or alter.
Property which has already had extensive alteration/extension.
Property which has been neglected and poorly maintained.

The Building Survey involves a detailed examination of all accessible parts of the property and can be tailor-made to suit your individual needs and concerns.

The Building Survey includes the following information:

The property's general condition
The implications of any defects and the possible cost of repairs.
Results of testing walls for dampness and timbers for damage, including woodworm or rot.
Comments on the existence and condition of damp-proofing, insulation and services (although the latter will not be tested).
Extensive technical information on the construction of the property, and details about materials used in construction.
Specific comments on aspects of the building, tailor-made to your requirements.
Recommendations for any further specialist inspections.
The Building Survey does not include a Valuation, although we can provide a separate Valuation Report, if required.