A Building Survey is an investigation and assessment of the construction and condition of a building.  It does not normally include advice on value.  The intention is to advise a potential purchaser of the overall condition of the property. 

Particular attention will be paid in the Report to structural movement and decay which might adversely affect the value of the property.

Our Building Surveys are carried out by Chartered Building Surveyors with a wide experience of different building types.  We have gained considerable experience by inspecting hundreds of properties, from thatched cottages and fine Regency townhouses to modern estate built properties.  The surveyor will carry out a non-destructive inspection of the property, including any accessible roof voids and cellars.  Damp meter readings will be taken and visible timbers inspected for wood boring insect infestation. Structural movement will be assessed and an opinion expressed as to whether it appears to be historic or on-going. The life span of elements of the building such as roofs will be highlighted where that particular element of the building appears to have very limited further life.

It is possible to combine a Building Survey with tests of building services.  Some purchasers prefer to wait until they have the Building Survey Report before going on to incur the expense of service testing.  The surveyor, having inspected the building and identified the types of services connected and their age, may advise you to have one or more tested for adequacy, repaired or replaced outright.  Inspections and tests are often carried out on the following:

• CCTV survey of below ground drainage.

• Electrical installations by an NICEIC or ECA electrician.

• Heating and plumbing systems by a qualified heating engineer (CORGI registered in the case of gas appliances).

The whole purpose of the Report is to provide you with information on which to make a soundly based judgement about purchase.  Having read the Report and discussed it with the surveyor, you may wish to proceed with your purchase, reduce your offer or buy a similar property in better condition.