Folkestone HomeBuyers Survey

Get an Instant Quote for a RICS Home Buyers Survey Folkestone or call us on 0333 344 3234 (Mon-Fri 8-6 Sat 11-1)

 
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"First Class Service. We are more than impressed with the quick, professional service we have received from this company, very clear report with good Photograph, of areas of interest, also the Team followed up the report with a phone call to make sure we understood the information that we had received. EXCELLENT. Thank you"

Val Edwards, Trustpilot review in November 2018.

* Competitive Prices - Local Surveyors - Same Week Availability - Terms Apply

What Types of House Survey Do We Offer?


SAM is one of the UK’s largest network of Surveyors with local surveyors throughout England. Our most popular property surveys are HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys and these inspections are completed by local RICS surveyors who have years of experience.

We handle all of the booking so you just need to call us for a quote and then we'll handle all of the access for you.
We offer many types of house survey including:
  • Level 2: HomeBuyers Report
  • Level 3: Building Survey
  • Damp & Timber Survey
  • Load Bearing Wall Survey
  • Chimney Breast Removal Survey
  • Snagging Survey
  • Removal of load bearing wall Survey
  • Property Valuation Survey
  • Probate Valuation Survey
  • Leasehold Valuation Survey
  • Structural Engineer Survey

If you are unsure which house survey to book click here or call us and we’ll advise you.

Not sure whether you need a Level 2: HomeBuyers Report or a Level 3: Building Survey? Find out by clicking here and seeing example reports
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Local Building Surveyors (throughout England)


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RICS Surveyors

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - RICS Surveyors

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Includes online checklists, videos, downloads and tips - plus it is free to use and remembers your progress.

 
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House Survey Cost

Love our Competitive
House Survey Costs

We keep the house survey cost down regardless of what property survey you need and tell you how much does a survey cost.

Folkestone HomeBuyers Survey

Local Kent 
Building Surveyors

Our Building Surveyor uses their local knowledge of Folkestone to ensure they deliver a detailed homebuyers report to help you decide whether you should move forward with your home move or if you should pull out.

Homebuyers Report

Fast Availability and
Delivery of Reports

We normally have availability within days of you booking and our turnaround for homebuyers survey reports is within 5 working days.

Folkestone HomeBuyers Survey

Panel of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors - RICS Surveyors

All of our chartered RICS Surveyors are registered with and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and have indemnity insurance that covers all of the work they undertake for you.

A Home Buyer Survey - What does it cover?

A RICS Home Buyers Survey non-intrusively inspects both the external and internal structure of a property for matters which include these, among others; damp, subsidence, infestations, cracks and damage.

If you are thinking of buying a property in Folkestone, it is vitally important to book a Home Buyers Survey, whether a Building Survey (which used to be known as a Full Structural Survey) or a HomeBuyers Report, for your peace of mind.

NB If you're a first time buyer, you might wish to click on What is a House Survey to find out more, including what happens during the inspection.

Click to find out how much does a house survey cost (free, no obligation quote)
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Subsidence Inspection

The surveyor will look for signs of subsidence during the structural survey within the property paying special attention to signs of cracking internally and to the external walls. As a rule, if you can fit the width of a 50p into a crack in a wall, it could be a sign of subsidence. Our surveyors will flag in their reports if they feel you need to instruct a structural engineer to review a crack further.


Read more about subsidence

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Damp Testing

There are numerous reasons why a property can be affected by damp. The Surveyor will take samples in the property using a damp meter and assess the condition of the property to provide a report on whether they feel the property is affected by damp. Further investigations maybe suggested including getting a damp and timber specialist. 


Read more about damp testing and repairs

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Identify Infestations

Woodworm, mice, rats and ants are infestations that your don't want in your home. Your surveyor will look for visible signs of mouse droppings, damage to floor boards (when visible) and damage to wiring, carpets or skirting boards


Read more about infestations

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Asbestos

Prior to its banned use, asbestos was a commonly used building material, particularly as part of cement products, floor tiles and roofing shingles. Asbestos was used for its durability and resistance to heat and is commonly found in artex ceilings, garage roofing and chimney stacks. Your surveyor will confirm if they suspect any materials in the property have asbestos and if so, suggest getting an asbestos surveyor to intrusively taking samples of the asbestos to confirm the type.


Read more about asbestos

If the Home Buyers Survey flags up any of these defects in your property in Folkestone then our surveyor explains what you need to do to get further advice on how to investigate them and get It resolved. 

If you are concerned about your property has any other defects then you MUST get a RICS Home Buyers Survey as the costs for repairing the defects can run into thousands of pounds. If you can identify the defect before you purchase then you can get quotes for fixing it and either share the costs with the seller, or, in worst case examples, choose not to proceed.

You can find a local RICS surveyor by using the search at the bottom RHS of this page.
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Survey tips for properties in Folkestone


At the beginning of the 19th century, the harbour was developed which brought an increase of population to the town, however it was the arrival of the train station in 1843 that really made the town popular.

Victorian properties can be found on Coolinge Road and Radnor Park Crescent. This properties tend to be large detached houses, but some have been converted into flats like those on Grimstone Avenue and Sandgate Road.

Shorncliffe Heights at The Stadium is large new development offering two to five bedroom houses designed for contemporary living within this historic town. The Lees is a development in Sellinge near Folkestone that is similar to that of Shorncliffe Heights.

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Being a coastal town, Folkestone can be subject to flood alerts from time to time. THis includes roads such as The Stade, Lower Sandgate Road and roads within the town such as Sussex Road and Pavillion Road.

If you are concerned that a property you are looking to buy is in a flood risk area, you should consider getting a flood risk report (click for more details).
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Larger roads in Folkstone cause raised levels of noise pollution such as Shorncliffe Road, Cheriton Road and the A259. The railways line also adds to this. Streets affected by the noise pollution include Joinston Road, Millfield Road and Wiltie Gardens.
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According to the UK Government's Public Health England, the north of Folkestone, including Downs Road and Wood Avenue, is in a raised radon area, with properties built there having a higher probability than average of experiencing ground Radon emissions.

The raised Radon area has a maximum radon potential 5-10% (the percentage is the chance of a property being built where Radon emissions might measure above the action level).

If you are concerned that a property you are buying is in an area of raised Radon, please click to visit Public Health England's UK Radon Map. Click also to find out more about Radon, Radon property searches and much more.
Kent.pngKent, romantically described as 'the garden of England', is a coastal county in the England's south eastern corner. Because it borders Greater London, it is classed as one of the home counties. It contains the Weald and the North Downs. Kent's county town is Maidstone. Other large cities include Gillingham, Chatham, Ashford, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Margate, Dartford and Gravesend. 

Kent has many port towns including Dover, Folkestone and Margate. Adjacent counties include East Sussex, Surrey, Essex (across the River Thames) and, as stated earlier, Greater London. Curiously, Kent used to contain an enclave north of the River Thames until 1965 which equates now to the E16 postcode area and which has now been reclassified as part of the London Borough of Newham. JMW Turner, the great impressionist painter, spent part of his childhood in Margate and regularly returned there in later life. The coastline of East Kent is regarded as the inspiration for many of his works, particularly his fantastic seascapes.
 

CT20 1AA

Folkestone Planning Application Search

You can review what planning applications have been granted or denied for properties in your area by contacting Shepway District Council at Civic Centre, Castle Hill Ave, Folkestone CT20 2QY, telephone 01303 853000, or you can check for the most recently stored planning applications online here:


Read the following article if you are thinking about building an extension.

RICS Find a surveyor in Folkestone

Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Capel-le-Ferne, Newington, Hawkinge, Paddlesworth, Hythe, Beachborough and Pedlinge.

We employ only expert RICS Building Surveyors to undertake surveys in Folkestone. Whether you are buying an old run down 'doer upper' or standard construction freehold house, our RICS surveyors have seen them all.

With a vast number of years of experience completing surveys on properties in Folkestone we'll be able to give you the detailed report you need to know what defects there are with your property.

You can see some of our expert surveyors by clicking here - 


Recently completed Home Buyers Survey in Folkestone:


  • Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Folkstone, CT20 3BD
  • East Cliff, Folkstone, CT19 6BU
  • Bouverie Pl, Folkestone CT20 1AA
  • Dover Rd, Folkestone CT20 1LA
  • Cheriton High St, Folkestone CT19 4ET

 

Is a Mortgage valuation a defect survey?

Many mistakenly think that a mortgage valuation is the same as a HomeBuyers Survey and the consequence is that home buyers can subsequently have to shell out money for repairing faults and defects that could well have been part of the bargaining process with the seller on purchase. The surveyor appointed by the lender conducts a mortgage valuation to estimate the value of the property you are looking to buy in Folkestone: this survey is not concerned with detailing structural defects.

A HomeBuyers Survey lists and reports on defects and includes a full appraisal and valuation of the property which is completely independent of the mortgage lender. This knowledge can be used to get quotes for the cost of fixing defects and, most importantly, gives you evidence which can be used to bargain with the seller about sharing any such cost. Need a HomeBuyers Survey? Call us on 0333 344 3234.

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HomeBuyers Survey Folkestone

HomeBuyers Report in Folkestone

A HomeBuyers Report is general visual inspection for flats, new properties or bungalows of standard construction. Most leasehold flats in Folkestone should have a HomeBuyers Report, however the only exception are converted properties which may need a Building Survey.

Click to see a RICS Level 2 HomeBuyers Report with Valuation example.

HomeBuyers Survey Folkestone

Building Survey in Folkestone

Most freehold houses in Folkestone that are over 50 years old, that have been refurbished/developed or are unusual in style should get a Building Survey. A Building Survey used to be called the Full Structural Survey and is the most comprehensive visual inspection a surveyor can provide. Choosing a HomeBuyers Report when you should have a Building survey can be costly if key defects don't get reported in the detail you require.

Click to see a RICS Level 3 Building Survey example.

If you are unsure which survey to choose you can call our surveyors and they'll help you choose - Call 0333 344 3234.

Which survey suits your style of property in Folkestone
Choose which survey based on its type, style and age
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