Confessions of a surveyor

“No. A mortgage valuation is undertaken on behalf of a mortgage lender to help it decide whether it’s happy to lend money against the property you are buying. It isn’t designed to identify any required repairs or maintenance issues at the property. You may be able to spot some more basic issues yourself, but a survey goes deeper, identifying problems that may not be obvious, such as subsidence or roof damage. A good surveyor will look in drains, go into the loft and look for asbestos or lead pipes. These are things that homebuyers rarely do during their viewings!”

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“Surveys are optional, but always recommended. A survey result can help you feel confident about your purchase; or it may flag problems that may otherwise surprise you later down the line. Structural issues or underlying problems, such as damp, may even make you rethink your purchase, or give you cause to renegotiate your offer price.

Before you appoint a surveyor, go through the terms of engagement with them so that you’re clear on what’s covered by the survey and what’s not included. This way, you’ll get the level of service you need.”

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“Forewarned is forearmed. If you know you have a defect with your home, a report up front can de-risk the issue for the buyer, giving them additional confidence rather than cold feet. It can help you decide at what price to put your property on the market. It can also highlight if it’s worth investing extra time and money renovating parts of your property to boost its selling price.”

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“Surveys can cost anything from £350 to £2,000, but you shouldn’t be driven by the fee. Instead, consider exactly what you want to find out, and also the age and size of your property, and its location. There are different levels of survey available, from a basic Condition Report, which will pick up major issues such as rot or subsidence, to a comprehensive Building Survey, that highlights all visible issues, provides solutions to the problems and maintenance tips. It can also provide you with an indication of the costs to repair damaged items. Often, items flagged up in surveys run into thousands of pounds, so the price of a survey should be seen as an investment rather than a cost.”

Before you settle on a survey, ask your surveyor to explain the basis of the fee, so you know what you’re getting for your money.

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“When choosing a surveyor, check they are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as this means they meet professional standards. It’s also worth checking whether the surveyor is affiliated with the estate agent to ensure there’s no conflict of interest. Ask, too, whether there are any referral fees being paid so you can understand the true independence of the surveyor. You can find recommended surveyors in your area through RICS or the HomeOwners Alliance.

Choosing a local surveyor can be an advantage as they should be familiar with the cost and condition of similar properties in that area, but make sure the surveyor actually is local. Ask for their name and confirm they are employed by the company you are talking to. Often a survey might be sub-contracted and the company you think you are working with isn’t actually undertaking the survey.”

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“It’s not uncommon to hear horror stories in the media of problems related to new builds, especially if you are a leaseholder – so yes, a survey is a good idea. Instead of a traditional survey you could ask for a ‘snagging survey’, which will highlight cosmetic defects like missing cupboard handles, paint splashes or misaligned doors.

As an example, I undertook a snagging survey on a 5-bedroom house built by a national house builder and found more than 80 issues. The investment in the survey certainly paid dividends.”

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“Although most home surveyors are knowledgeable about all types of property, it’s a good idea to get specialist advice if you’re buying a period or listed property, so ask whether the inspecting surveyor has experience of surveying listed buildings.

More generally, if a surveyor identifies a problem they believe a specialist should look at, they will flag this up in their report. For example, there might be restrictions on the kind of renovations that can be carried out.”

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"Once a surveyor has completed their survey, they’ll usually call you to explain the findings before putting their report together. If there is anything that’s unclear in the report, ask for clarification and check what the cost implications may be. You could also choose to inspect the property with the surveyor. This should help to clarify the report as the surveyor will have the opportunity to show you the issues on site."

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“The surveyor should be able to guide you through the process, whether they feel the property is suitable, and whether they consider any defects to be severe. If you’re not happy to take on the work, you should ask the vendor to put the issues right; the property is still theirs, so the problem is theirs. If they don't want to undertake the work or reduce the price, that could prompt you to reconsider the purchase. When you’re spending hundreds of thousands of pounds, it’s important to make sure you are confident and happy. Your surveyor is there to help you protect your investment.”

Read our article Confessions of a Builder for tips on commissioning building work.

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If you’re buying your first home or moving house, make sure you have the right cover in place. You can protect your home and what’s in it with building and contents insurance.

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