Specific Defect Survey in London by Wimbledon Surveyors
If you have any worries about a certain element of your property, then commissioning a Specific Defect Report will enable you to investigate the problem and establish what needs to be done to put it right. They are normally prepared when a survey (such as a basic RICS Condition Survey) of the whole property, including the surveyor’s limitations, shows a defect that needs investigating in detail. Everything within a Level 2 RICS Building Surveys can be reviewed in more detail with a Specific Defect Survey. Call us today to obtain a quotation for your Specific Defect Survey.
What Is a Specific Defect Survey?
A specific defect survey is a focused investigation of one problem – damp staining, cracking, roof leaks, timber decay, condensation – rather than a review of the whole building. Because the surveyor concentrates on a single issue, you get deeper diagnosis of the cause, not just a description of the symptom, at a lower cost than a full survey.
Defects We Investigate
Common instructions across Wimbledon and London include penetrating and rising damp (see our dedicated damp surveys), wall and ceiling cracking, roof and chimney leaks, rotten timbers, failed lintels, bouncy floors and condensation and mould. Where movement is suspected we can escalate to a structural survey or ongoing monitoring.
What Your Defect Report Includes
The report describes the defect and its extent, identifies the underlying cause, sets out the remedial options with indicative costs, and flags any further investigation needed (for example opening-up works or drain testing). Photographs and plain-English explanations make it a document you can hand directly to a contractor for quotes.
Defect Survey or Full Building Survey?
If you already own the property and one issue is troubling you, a specific defect report is usually the right tool. If you are buying – particularly an older or altered property – a full RICS Level 3 building survey covers the whole building and will pick up defects you have not spotted yet. We are happy to advise which suits your situation before you commit.
Fees and Booking
Fees depend on the defect and property type, and are agreed up front – no surprises. Most inspections can be arranged within days, with the written report following shortly after. Get an instant quote or contact the team to describe the problem you are seeing.