Home Buyers Survey Harlow

Get an Instant Quote for a RICS Home Buyers Survey Harlow or call us on 0207 112 5388 (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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Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - RICS Surveyors

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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.

Harlow HomeBuyers Survey

Local Essex 
Building Surveyors

Our Building Surveyor uses their local knowledge of Harlow 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.

Harlow 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?

Our RICS Surveyor, during a Home Buyers Survey in Harlow, inspects both the inside and the outside of your property and searches in particular for subsidence, damp, infestations and any cracks or other damage to the property.

The procedure, whether a Building Survey (which used to be known as a Full Structural Survey) or a HomeBuyers Report, is non-intrusive.

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 Harlow 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.
Get Quote

Survey tips for properties in Harlow


Harlow was originally built as a new town, from 1947 and property was predominantly therefore built from that period onwards. The Lawn, the first modern-style residential tower block, was built in 1951 and is now a listed building.

There are some notable architectural features in Harlow such as Frederick Gibberd's tromp-l'oeil terrace in Orchard Croft and Dawbarn's maisonette blocks at Pennymead.

There are many estates of detached, semi-detached and terrace houses in and around the area and some estates have been substantially redeveloped so the housing has been built in the last 10 or 20 years. There is a large provision of social housing.


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Properties in Harlow which are built near the River Stort or Canons Brook, such as in Fold Croft, are subject to flood warnings and alerts from time to time.

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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According to the UK Government's Public Health England, some parts of Harlow, including streets such as Kerril Croft and Hobtoe Road, are 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 of 1 - 3% (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.
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Properties in some areas of Harlow may be affected by environmental constraints.

A recent environmental search carried out for a property in Fennells, Harlow CM19 4RW revealed that the property was within 250m of an area likely to be impacted by environmental constraints. These included Hospital/Risdens Woods, designated as Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland; Parndon Woods & Common, designated as a Local Nature Reserve and Harlow Woods, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Areas which have been designated as having environmental or historical importance may impose constraints on property or land developments or alterations.
EssexEssex is not only a coastal county (the North Sea is to its east) but a home county because it touches Greater London on its eastern borders. Its settlements vary from Colchester, which is very historical and used to be the capital of England as Camulodunum, to Southend, a seaside resort, to Basildon, which is a comparatively modern urban development. The western side of Essex hosts many London workers and there are fast rail links to, for example, Shenfield from London Liverpool Street which aid many city workers.

Essex's county town is Chelmsford (and is the county's only city), where Essex County Cricket Club are based. Essex hosts Stansted Airport and attractions such as the Lakeside Shopping Centre, near Thurrock and Epping Forest, a popular forest for camping and other activities. A large proportion of Essex's boundaries are water (the River Thames and the North Sea), the remainder includes Greater London, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Kent is across the River Thames to the south. 

CM20 1AA

Harlow Planning Application Search

You can review what planning applications have been granted or denied for properties in your area by contacting Harlow Council at Civic Centre, The Water Gardens, College Square, Harlow CM20 1WG, telephone 01279 446655, 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 Harlow

Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Nazeing, Stanstead Abbots, Roydon, Thornwood, Sawbridgeworth, Hatfield and Broxbourne.

We employ only expert RICS Building Surveyors to undertake surveys in Harlow. 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 Harlow 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 Harlow:


  • Southern Way, Harlow, Essex, CM18 7PJ
  • Stone Cross, Harlow CM20 1AA
  • 35 Newstead Way, Harlow, CM20 1BW
  • 196 Willowfield, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6RZ
  • 104 Hookfield, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6QL

 

When should you book in your property defect survey?

It is recommended that you book in your property survey, be it a HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey, around the same time you book in your mortgage valuation.

Booking the inspection to coincide with a few days after you get the decision on your mortgage (the offer) keeps you on track with the process.

Additionally it allows you time to cancel your survey in the unfortunate event of the lender declining your mortgage.

In the event that you are a cash purchaser, it is recommended to have your survey carried out as soon as you can within the process as this will be a deciding factor as to whether you proceed with buying the property or not.


HomeBuyers Survey Harlow

HomeBuyers Report in Harlow

A HomeBuyers Report is general visual inspection for flats, new properties or bungalows of standard construction. Most leasehold flats in Harlow 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 Harlow

Building Survey in Harlow

Most freehold houses in Harlow 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 0207 112 5388.

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