Surveys

Building Surveys

A Building Survey  is a more detailed report. Philip Raw & Co Ltd specialise in providing this service particularly for older and period properties.

We examine all aspects of the building looking at the effectiveness of the building ‘envelope’ to keep out damp, and the structural condition of the building elements such as walls, floors and the roof.

We will look at the condition of external joinery, and endeavour to identify the Damp Proof Course. Drain Runs will be identified if possible and inspection chamber covers lifted. This is a visual examination and if we suspect there are issues we will suggest further investigation.

Within the building we will go into the loft, if reasonable access is available,  inspect the structure of the Roof Chimney Stacks, the Insulation and any Water Installation providing it is safe to do so.

Damp Testing is routinely undertaken and advice on what to do if problems are found will be given.

Service installations are looked at visually and further tests recommended if appropriate. These tests need to be undertaken by those qualified to do so, for instance corgi engineers for gas installations and registered electricians, NICEIC, for electrical installations.

This report concludes with recommendations and a list of matters requiring attention or further investigation.

The Building Survey can include a Valuation of the property, and or  a buildings reinstatement valuation at additional cost.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will provide a quotation for the service.

Home Buyer Reports

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (HSV) provides our opinion of the condition of the property.  This report type focuses on those matters which are urgent or significant and need action or evaluation by you. It includes urgent repairs for which the client should obtain quotations prior to exchange of contracts and also lists  matters that should be investigated further.

Matters not considered significant or urgent are outside the scope of an HSV and will not be reported although we try to give helpful advice within the report on other aspects noted during the inspection.

The Report is in the RICS standard format and will include a Valuation and a Reinstatement cost for Buildings Insurance purposes.

The HSV is mainly suitable for houses of conventional design without major alterations or extensions built since the 1950s but can sometimes be appropriate to houses built after about 1900. Older properties or those which have been altered or extended are usually more suited to the fuller  Building Survey.

When appointed to undertake an RICS HSV we will advise you in writing with information describing the service and ask you to confirm your instructions back to us also in writing before the work is undertaken.