Which Building Survey do I need?

A survey conducted in the United Kingdom has it that less than a third of the homebuyers undertake a professional home survey before they purchase the property. This is an indication of the proportion of the public that is unaware of the benefits of undertaking a home survey. 

On the other hand, this figure also shows the homebuyers that view the process as too expensive compared to the risks that come with later repairs. There is need to explain the importance of building surveys and highlight which particular surveys are required for their circumstances.

What type of survey is appropriate for you?

The most suitable survey will depend on the type of house you want to buy and just how much your budgets stands at. For instance, a castle will result in a higher surveying fee than a standard semi-detached bungalow. Its size and age require a lot of work in determining its condition. The following are examples of surveys that are ideal for a new homebuyer; 

i. Home condition survey

The rates of these surveys vary from one home to another depending on the worth of the particular home. They are conducted by the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) and are performed in residential surveys.

ii. Building surveys

These are the dearest but ensure that you do not have to incur other expenses in future after you have bought a new house. They come in handy when the building in question has been in existence for a long time, and there is need to conduct an extensive inspection of its condition before people can occupy the dwelling. If you think that work needs to be done on the house, it is important to undertake a building survey so that you know the extent of work which needs to be completed and where to start. Thereafter, a detailed report will be given to advise. 

iii. Conditions report

This is somehow pocket friendly and basic as it does not go deep into inspecting the house. It is used to indicate whether it is okay to purchase the house and provides a report on the risks that come with buying the house. As a prospective buyer, you should look for a good surveyor either though friends or from references. A typical survey will include the surveyor going through almost the entire architecture; into the attic, behind walls, floors and in the ceilings. 

Most homebuyers become complacent after a successful mortgage evaluation, unknown to them is that this is not a real survey. It is merely a practice done by lenders to estimate the worth of the property and in most cases, is done for their own benefit. To be on the safe side, you will need a surveyor certified by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to carry out a building survey and give a comprehensive report. Only this will save you in the long run from having to incur expenses for repairs on the property that you did not expect.