A building survey, previously known as a full structural survey, is one of the most comprehensive property surveys you can have when buying a house. It's similar in many ways to the homebuyers report, but a building survey is better suited to older or unusually constructed buildings and results in a much more thorough report. The Level 3 Building Survey is often confused with a structural survey. However, whilst building surveys are conducted by RICS registered surveyors, a structural survey can be carried out by a Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer.
The building survey will outline any defects of the property, their apparent cause, the urgency at which repairs are required and in most cases, cost considerations for making those repairs. During the inspection, the surveyor will also examine areas that are hard to reach. Here's an example of a building survey report to help you know what to expect during and after your survey, provided by Cambridge Building Surveyors. There are a few types of house surveys available, all with a different price point and with a different level of information and detail included.
In this guide, Compare My Move explains everything you need to know about the building survey. The building survey will include a thorough external and internal inspection of the property, resulting in a comprehensive survey report.
The property surveyor will inspect all the visible and accessible areas of the property including walls, cellars, floors, windows, doors, roofs, garages and more. This will be confirmed in their terms and conditions to you once you have confirmed you would like to proceed. The surveyor can take into consideration specific concerns and can pay particular attention to those areas. This can be reflected in their report.
Much as the name suggests, the building survey can indeed be used on any type of property. However, it's much more suited for buildings that are over 50 years of age or buildings that have specific and obvious defects that need reviewing. It is also recommended that you opt for a building survey if you are thinking of buying a house without building regulations approval.
This is primarily due to the level of details included within the report and the relative cost compared to other options. For homes under 50 years of age, a survey such as a homebuyers survey is likely to be suitable as it will cover any areas of concern but without costing a large amount of money. Likewise, for a new build that won't have long-term structural issues, it's recommended that you at least get a snagging list.
If you are purchasing a historically unique or listed property, read our guide on Listed Building Surveys where we explain what is a specialist Building Survey. You will normally only need to consider having a structural survey done if the property appears to be in a poor state of repair.
If you have a basic Mortgage Valuation Report or Homebuyers Survey carried out, you have very little if any comeback down the line if you find any problems with your property.
In contrast, when you have a structural survey done, the structural surveyors are acting on your behalf and have a legal responsibility to find any major problems.
So if you do subsequently find problems which should have been picked up in the structural survey , you may be able to claim compensation from the structural engineers. In addition, the final structural survey report is very comprehensive.
Not only does it detail any problems or concerns which have been found during the survey, but it may also give an indication of the likely costs of carrying out the necessary repairs to fix these problems. This can be really useful. In a worst case situation, you may decide to not purchase the property if the structural survey indicated that a lot of remedial work is needed.
Equally, if the work is more manageable, you can go back to the seller armed with an estimate of the costs and ask them to reduce the selling price.
Our advisers will be in touch to discuss your property and make an offer in principle. There's no obligation and we promise to make it quick! What is a Building Survey? What is a structural survey? What is checked in a structural survey? What does a full survey include? A building structural survey should contain: A thorough assessment of property defects and notable hazards.
Tailored advice on repairs and maintenance, including an estimated cost. A description of any previous structural work done on the property. It may include a property valuation if specifically stated to the surveyor.
Why is a structural survey important? When do I need a structural survey? How much does a structural survey cost? Common issues found during a structural survey Many issues found in a property survey can be resolved relatively easy, but it is important to read the recommended repairs and maintenance advice to fully understand how severe each problem is.
Some common issues found include: Poor ventilation or damp issues When coupled with poor ventilation, properties with issues such as rising damp, condensation or mould can require a lot of work. If there is mould inside the walls, you may not realise it for some time but it can really affect your health and that of your family.
Not only will you need to repair the cause of the water damage but you will also need to repair the damage caused by that water, which may be far more extensive than you can imagine. If there has been movement in the soil, this will affect the structural integrity of the building.
Any time something like this occurs, it can seriously damage the home and shift how the entire structure sits on the foundation. It may be quite dangerous to live in a home like this. Movement in the building may occur for a few reasons. First, there could be a tremor that shifted things, though this is rare.
More commonly, the soil beneath the foundation has settled or sunken in one area, which shifts the foundation. Another possibility is if water has gotten under the foundation, it can wash out the soil or compact it. This causes the foundation to sink in some parts by cracking and moving. This in turn can affect the entire house and cause cracks in the walls. The floors may also be uneven, so that if water spills, it runs into a corner.
Once you have the building defect report in your hands, you need to decide what to do next. It is essential that you know exactly what you are facing when purchasing a home.
If you find too many, then it may be a good idea to look elsewhere. After all, the diagnosis report is based on non-invasive examinations, so there may be even more under the surface that you have yet to discover. The inspector should be able to refer you to a good repair person or contractor who can handle the repairs for you.
Call us now: Write to us now: info simonlevy. What types of survey are there and which one is the best for my situation? Do I need a full building survey? Simon Levy - your trusted expert building surveyor At Simon Levy in Borehamwood, our expert team can make sure your next property venture is the right one.
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