6 important pointers on home surveys

It shouldn't be underestimated how much effort needs to go into the purchase of a new home. There is so much to consider from simple things like change of address cards to appointing a quality  conveyancing solicitor, through the whole process of getting a mortgage and buildings insurance and switching utilities.

It's quite easy therefore to forget some of the items on your list, either because it doesn't seem to be important, or possibly that it's something that, in the end, you think is not worth the money. 

One of those casualties is often the survey because it's easy to look at the new home and think that it's fine as it is, because it is still standing even if the décor needs a bit of pepping up.

But that is almost certainly a false economy. While the property might appear to be in reasonable condition, there may be problems bubbling under that might surface in the next few years while you're living there.

Just to be sure and to help guide your thinking, Surveyor Local here provides six pointers for consideration, before you abandon the idea totally of ordering a survey on the home you are planning to buy.

Unless you're a trained chartered surveyor (like those we have who will team up with you when you order a survey with us), you won't have the skills and experience to know whether there are any significant problems with the property purely by looking at it.

For example, imagine that the roof trusses have succumbed to severe wet rot or insect infestation. In this case, you'll need to spend thousands of pounds to rectify the problem, all for the sake of a few hundred pounds to give you that peace of mind that you know exactly what to expect should you take the property on.

It's difficult not to think that, important as a survey is, you should opt for the cheapest surveyor available in order to save a few pounds and pennies. Scrimping to save in this way may result in a false economy, because you may not get the level of quality service you should expect.

Instead, do a bit of research and look for a surveyor who is reputable, has the necessary experience for your type of property, and offers fixed fees for the survey to be performed. Phone them up to discuss their work and your needs. 

Price does, of course, come into the home-moving equation, but doing this upfront exercise will save you money in the long run.

It might seem a logical step to take when choosing a surveyor who is based locally because, surely, they will have that extra bit of knowledge that would feed into the survey and their investigations?

While local knowledge is an important aspect of how you make your choice, just like choosing based solely on fees, you should also consider the feedback from past customers, as well as the level of their experience. If the firm is reputable, they will be happy to publish their ratings and feedback from customers.

The way to look at it is this: It matters less where your house is built, and more how it's been built. And that's where crucial knowledge becomes a critical factor.

Because there is so much to think about while in the process of buying a new home, it's very easy to default to the simplest option. But that may result in you paying over the odds.

The estate agent with whom your seller has placed their property might offer you suggestions for a chartered surveyor - perhaps pressing their knowledge and experience of the locality to sway your decision - and the conveyancing solicitor. 

If this is offered to you, be careful. 

Often, by pushing the names and companies of surveyors, the agent will have received a few hundred pounds in referral fees, which will eventually be passed on to you in the bill, making it far more than you had expected.

It won't take long to look online for a suitable surveyor, who will meet your needs at a value-for-money price.

Again, it's tempting to plump for a survey that is the cheapest, but that may not meet your needs, nor may it provide you the necessary detail of the structural integrity of the property you are looking at buying.

There are three types of survey which rise in the depth of detail: conveniently called Level 1 (previously a Condition Report), Level 2 (previously called the Homebuyer's Report) and Level 3 (previously called the Building Survey). You can review the differences by comparing surveys.

And, while we're on the subject of choosing a survey…

When you arrange a loan with a mortgage lender, they will require a compulsory survey (called The Property Valuation). It's an easy step to take to assume that if the lender has “taken out a survey” that that will be sufficient for your needs, but it won't be.

The mortgage lender is in the business of making money and will therefore need to protect its investment in you and your new home should things go wrong in the future with repayments, etc. 

Simply put, this survey is an assessment of the value of the property to confirm that they can recoup their money if necessary.

Their survey certainly doesn't look at the structural defects within the home, and, more important, the lender's valuation survey will not protect you from any expensive problems that might be within the property.

Concerned about the property you want to buy? Worried that it might be a “money pit” and need that peace of mind about its structural integrity?

That's where it is really worth contacting Surveyor Local! 

Call  to get your no-obligation survey quote started, or to discuss your concerns with the acquisition of your planned property.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Surveyor Local's easy-to-use quote generator. Simply input your name, postcode, email address, phone number and an approximate value of the property (usually the agreed price), and we'll give you an instant quote for the work (with an email copy). 

We'll do the rest once you confirm your acceptance of the quote.