Now, here’s a statistic you might find startling. According to reports, of the 80% of homebuyers who didn’t get a survey, around 20% ended up facing hefty bills of more than £12,000 to repair faults that could have been spotted by qualified surveyors. Yet it seems that still more than half of all homebuyers don’t commission a property survey before the contract is signed. You may well ask, “Why”?
Common Defects found in a Home after Purchase
According to a recent survey by Churchill Home Insurance, there have been 13 million homeowners that have were left to carry out unexpected building work as soon as they moved into their new house. The problems included subsidence, faulty damp proofing or even a poor roof. These are problems which a professional surveyor may have identified. The surveyor would have identified the issue before the purchase and, therefore, the home buyer would have been able to amend their budget. Furthermore, they could use this information in order to renegotiate the purchase price.
Types of Home Surveys in Wimbledon London
Home survey types supported by the RICS are the Home Condition Report, HomeBuyer Report and Building Survey. Here at Able Surveyors we have a vast amount of knowledge in carrying out all types of property surveys and will be able to assist in which survey would be best for your property.
Home Condition Report (Level 1)
Provides a clear and accessible overview of the property, but only at a basic level. This type of survey is only really suitable for conventional properties in good condition that were built within the last 150 years and not having been altered or extended. If you’re buying an older home, a non-traditional property or one that’s been extensively altered or extended, you should definitely choose a different type of survey. If you’re unsure, your surveyor will be happy to advise you.
The HomeBuyer Report (Level 2 RICS HomeBuyer Report)
This is a detailed but affordable survey designed for conventional properties in reasonable condition. HomeBuyers Reports are usually all that is required. The surveyor inspects all accessible parts of the property to include roofing, joinery, with particular attention to the electrical, heating, drainage, plumbing installations.
It uses a simple traffic light system to flag up areas of concern and helps you make an informed decision about whether or not to go ahead with the purchase.
The Report is in a standard format that includes an overall impression of the various elements making up the property and splitting up the report into the different elements such as the roof, services, subsidence, etc. Again it is written in jargon free language and assumes no prior knowledge of building defects. Items considered to be of a more specialist nature such as reinstatement cost and market valuation are not covered in the standard report but can be included in the report for an additional fee.
Full Building Survey
This is suitable for all properties including old, large, run-down or unusual properties, particularly those that may be Listed. It is an ideal solution if you are planning to carry out any major works. It includes a full extensive inspection of the property to provide an in-depth analysis of the condition of the property and its construction and highlights any such defects and what is needed to put them right.
The benefits can be significant, with thousands saved in surprise repairs. The expert eye of a qualified surveyor will be able to spot the tell tale signs of trouble that you may struggle to see as a layman. From a defective roof to subsidence, damp to timber decay, ancient plumbing and electrics and much more, you will be protecting what in many cases will be the biggest investment of your life.
Contact
To get more information about the variety of surveying services from the team and to request a quote for your Wimbledon London property purchase, please feel free to contact us.