RESIDENTIAL SURVEYING SERVICES
RICS Home Surveys
What is a RICS Home Survey?
A survey is a kind of ‘health check’ for a building. If you’re buying a home, you should have a survey done before you enter into a contract. The survey report is designed to help you make a more informed decision about the property you are buying & to give you reassurance.
There are three levels of RICS Home Surveys:
• Level 1 — RICS Condition Report
• Level 2 — RICS Homebuyer Report
• Level 3 — RICS Building Survey
Why should you get a RICS Home Survey?
Your home is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you ever make – you need to know as much as you can about the property before you buy it, live in it, & when you sell it. Having a survey could save you thousands of pounds & will give you peace of mind.
A survey can actually save you money. If there are problems, you can often re-negotiate the sale price of the home to reflect the cost of necessary repairs – or you may even decide you don’t want to buy it at all. If you’re selling a home a survey can help you secure the agreed price & protect the sale.
Who can carry out a RICS Home Survey
You should always use a RICS regulated firm to undertake your survey.
VKB Building Consultancy are regulated by RICS & we always:
Provide you with clear, impartial & expert advice;
Act in your best interest; &
Are tightly regulated & follow strict RICS rules of conduct.
Our RICS Home Surveys are undertaken by a locally based & experienced RICS Chartered Building Surveyor. All of the surveys we undertake are fully compliant with current RICS guidance.
Which level of RICS Home Survey is appropriate?
1 The RICS Condition Report
RICS recommend that you choose this report if you’re buying, selling or living in a conventional house, flat or bungalow built from common building materials & in good condition.
It focuses purely on the condition of the property by setting out the following:
Clear ‘traffic light’ ratings of the condition of different parts of the building, services, garage & outbuildings, showing problems that require varying degrees of attention;
A summary of the risks to the condition of the building;
Other matters including guarantees & planning & building control issues for your legal advisers.
A RICS Condition Report does not include a valuation.
2 The RICS Home Buyer Report (Survey Only)
RICS recommend that you choose this report if you would like more extensive information whilst buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials & in reasonable condition. It costs more than the Condition Report but includes:
All of the features in the Condition Report plus a more extensive inspection;
Advice on repairs & ongoing maintenance
Issues that need to be investigated to prevent serious damage or dangerous conditions;
Legal issues that need to be addressed before completing your conveyancing; &
Information on location, local environment & recorded energy efficiency of the property (where available).
Our RICS Home Buyers Reports do not include a valuation.
3 The RICS Building Survey
RICS recommend that you choose a RICS Building Survey if you’re dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works. It costs more than the other RICS reports because it gives detailed information about the structure & fabric of the property. It includes:
A thorough inspection & detailed report on a wider range of issues;
A description of visible defects & potential problems caused by hidden flaws;
An outline of repair options & the likely consequences of inactivity; &
Advice for your legal advisers & details of serious risks & dangerous conditions.
A RICS Building Survey does not include a valuation.
Estimated costs of repairs may also be included as an option.
Residential Defect Diagnosis
Should you identify a defect to your residential property we provide a full diagnosis of the defect together with advice & recommendations in respect of the concern.
A RICS Chartered Building Surveyor will undertake an inspection to identify the cause of the defect and provide recommendations in respect of the repair works required, together with a budget cost & approximate timescale for completion.
We also provide additional services to procure & manage any repair works needed.
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If you would like any further information or a quotation, please contact our team.