"Competitively priced service, the agent I dealt with was very helpful. On the day of the survey itself I received a call from the surveyor to run through his initial findings. The quality of the report produced was excellent, very detailed and thorough. If needed I will be using SAM Conveyancing's services again in the future for sure."
National Coverage
Panel of RICS Surveyors
Same week availability*
Cost from £400 EXC VAT
Reports in 5 Days**
Defects flagged in a Barnstaple Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip 1
According to the UK Government's Public Health England, most areas in the locale of Barnstaple, including streets such as Walnut Way and Eliot Close, are subject to raised radon levels, as is most of the south west of England.
The highest radon levels are to Barnstaple's west and north – these have a maximum radon potential of 10-30% (the percentage is the chance of a property being built where Radon emissions might measure above the action level).
On a 'street' level, the Environmental Search always addresses radon levels among its other features – you'll have to get one if you're buying using a mortgage – and depending on the findings, you might be expected to buy a further specialised radon search.
Local Tip 2
Parish church claims on parishioners for chancel repair, where these occur, can be fairly costly, with individual households possibly being legally required to pay £1,000s.
Buying a chancel repair indemnity insurance policy for a property you're looking to buy is an easy and efficient way of protecting yourself against this possible when you're considering purchasing a property in and around Barnstaple's area. This policy generally costs around £20 to buy and normally covers the policy holder for claims to the limit of £1 million.
Local Tip 3
Once you've had an offer accepted for a property you're thinking of buying in Barnstaple and its locale, you'll want to assure yourself that any alterations carried out on the property have had the required planning permission granted and/or building control sign-off from the local building control authority.
Getting a local authority search is the speediest way to find out about these matters because it lists applications and permissions granted for both of these subject areas among other useful considerations examined. Depending on the findings, your conveyancing solicitor can raise further enquiries which might entail negotiations with your seller as a result or, if there are severe issues, might make you decide to pull out the purchase entirely.
Your lender will expect you to get this report if you're buying with a mortgage but you're well advised to do so anyway even as a cash buyer.
Types of property in Barnstaple?
Barnstaple has a long history going back to Saxon times and has many architectural survivals dating back to earlier eras. For example its Victorian market survives, with its high glass and timber roof on iron columns.
Barnstaple was one of the "privileged ports" of the Spanish Company, (established 1577) whose armorials are visible on two of the mural monuments to 17th century merchants in St Peter's Church, and on the decorated plaster ceiling of the former "Golden Lion Inn", 62 Boutport Street (which became a restaurant next to the Royal and Fortescue Hotel). The Bear Street drill hall, a former military installation, a Grade II listed building, was completed in the early 19th century.
In general, survivals from the 19th century are predominant along with some remnants of earlier buildings. St. Anne's Chapel in the central churchyard is probably the best of the ancient buildings to survive however St Peter's Church's oldest parts most likely date back to the 13th century.
Queen Anne's Walk was erected around 1708 as a mercantile exchange. The Georgian Guildhall is also of interest as well as the Pannier Market beneath. The museum has an "arts and crafts" vibe with its tessellated floors, locally made staircase and decorative fireplaces.
There are, however, many newer build developments up to the present time.
Why Choose Sam Conveyancing for your Home Survey?
After 10 years of helping over 30,000 clients we've learned alot about surveys in Barnstaple using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Barnstaple surveyor will be local to your property so whether you're worried about subsidence, damp, infestations, extensions or even the just for peace of mind, we've got you covered.
Our HomeBuyers Survey costs are fixed and competitive as you'll see from all our Excellent reviews on Trustpilot. This means you don't have to break the bank to get a full health check on your new home. Get a Home Buyer Survey Quote today or if you're not sure which survey to choose and want to know the difference between a Level 2 Home Survey and a Level 3 Building Survey, then give us a call and we'll happily tell you what you need - 0333 344 3234 (local call charges apply).
What defects are flagged in a Homebuyer's Survey?
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Cracks/Subsidence
Cracks are inspected and in the report will confirm if you need a structural engineer as there are signs of historical or current movement.
Find out more - What is subsidence and how do you spot it?
Damp
The RICS surveyor will use a moisture meter in the rooms and report any high levels along with any mould or damp causing damage to the walls/windows.
Find out more - What is rising damp?
Wood Rot
The wooden door frames and windows will be inspected for rotting and wood worm.
Find out more - What to do with a Rotten Window Frame?
Infestations
The surveyor looks for signs of infestations through droppings, damage to piping/flooring and in some cases finding where the nest is.
Find out more - Can You Sell A House With Rodents?
Japanese Knotweed
The surveyor will check the grounds of the property and, where possible, check over the fences to neighbouring plots to identify if there is a risk of Japanese knotweed.
Find out more - Do surveyors check for Japanese knotweed?
Drains and Manhole Covers
The surveyor lifts up accessible man hole covers to check if the drains are blocked. You may need to get your drains inspected with CCTV.
Find out more - Should You Get a CCTV Drain Survey When Buying a House?
Roof and Loft Space
The surveyor will enter into the roof/loft space if there is a safe and accessible ladder. They'll look for insulation, signs of leaking and and damage.
Find out more - What is a roof survey?
A Level 2 HomeBuyers Report is for newer, conventional properties. A Level 3 Building Survey is for a comprehensive analysis, for older or larger properties.
For conventional properties, a HomeBuyers Survey is invaluable. Identified defects can be used as leverage during price negotiations with the seller and can save 1000s of pounds.
Average Cost of Building Surveyor in Barnstaple
The cost varies depending on the size and condition of the property, with the average cost of our HomeBuyers Survey starting at £400 EXC VAT. The average cost of a Building Survey is higher. Our fixed fees start at £500 EXC VAT.
To ensure accuracy, we utilise Rightmove or Zoopla to assess the property type, guaranteeing a fixed quote tailored to your needs. For guidance on choosing the right survey, contact our survey specialists at 0333 344 3234.
Download an Example Level 2 and Level 3 Home Survey
Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey Barnstaple
You don't need to contact your lender to arrange a HomeBuyer Survey in Barnstaple. While they may recommend specific survey companies, we advise obtaining a quote online directly from a RICS-certified professional familiar with your property's locality, ensuring a comprehensive HomeBuyers Survey quote.
Typically, home buyers and investors request a Valuation and a Survey simultaneously, which is encompassed in our RICS HomeBuyers Report. For older or unconventional properties, consider a Level 3 Building Survey. Get your online quote for a property survey from our experienced house surveyors in Barnstaple now.
A standard HomeBuyers Survey in Barnstaple takes approximately 3.5 hours, including local travel, property visitation, and report generation at the office.
With national coverage across England and Wales, including Barnstaple, our back-office systems enable us to identify available RICS surveyors, even outside your locality. If you need a survey carried out urgently, our knowledge, contacts, and systems allow us to find you the best RICS surveyor at the most competitive cost.
We’re committed to equipping you with the necessary tools, information, and pricing to make informed decisions. You'll get a same day call with your Barnstaple RICS Surveyor to discuss your survey, as part of our service to you. You'll always receive full contact details of your RICS Chartered Surveyor when arranging with us.
We offer professional and comprehensive HomeBuyers Survey services in Barnstaple. Our RICS-certified professionals know the local property market intimately. Get an instant online price quote for a survey from our experienced house surveyors in Barnstaple:
The cost of a HomeBuyers Survey varies depending on the type and size of the property, among other factors. At SAM Conveyancing, the average cost for our HomeBuyers Survey in Barnstaple starts from £400 EXC VAT. Remember, a survey could save you significant money in the long run by identifying potential issues early.
Absolutely. Our team at SAM Conveyancing provides a thorough HomeBuyers Survey checklist, guiding you through what our surveyors will inspect. This includes the property's interior and exterior condition and advice on necessary repairs or potential problems.
We understand that sometimes surveys are urgent. While a typical survey takes around 3.5 hours, a Level 3 building survey will often take longer as it is a more thorough inspection. We pride ourselves on our national coverage and extensive network. Even for urgent requests, we strive to find you the best RICS surveyor in Barnstaple to complete the survey promptly.
Your satisfaction is our priority. If you have any issues, you can raise a formal complaint. If you remain unsatisfied, you can resort to a third-party dispute resolution service. Our Barnstaple-based RICS surveyor will work diligently to resolve your concerns, potentially revisiting the property if necessary.
We take problems very seriously, and if you encounter an issue, we ensure your concerns are addressed promptly and professionally. The initial step involves submitting a formal, written complaint, outlining the problem and supplementing it with any supporting evidence, like photos.
Our Manchester-based surveyor will send you their Formal Complaints Procedure outlining the expected response timeframes. They will work to rectify your complaint and might even propose revisiting the property in Manchester. After a comprehensive review, they will write back to you, hopefully resolving your complaint through the provision of further information.
If you remain unsatisfied, you can resort to a third-party dispute resolution service to which the surveyor is registered. This service becomes accessible only after you have formally complained to your surveyor.
The details of the dispute resolution service for RICS surveyors are as follows:
Service Provider
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
Address
100 St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BU
Website
We have local RICS Listed Building Surveyors who specialise in listed building surveys in Barnstaple. To find out more go to - Listed Building Surveys - Building Surveyor and Survey Cost in Barnstaple
We cover the whole Barnstaple area and have recently completed HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys near you, at:
- Cleaves Cottages EX16 9EB
- Slade Lane EX10 0PJ
- The Pines EX14 2JG
- Wyndham Road EX5 4JU
- Fore Street EX1 2RS
You can review what planning applications have been granted or denied for properties in your area by contacting North Devon Council at Lynton House, Commercial Rd, Barnstaple EX31 1DG, telephone 01271 327 711, or you can check the local authority website.
Read the following article if you are thinking about building an extension.
Local Building Survey Barnstaple
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton, Falmouth, Truro, Penzance and Bridgwater.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Barnstaple. 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 building surveys on properties in Barnstaple we'll be able to give you the detailed Barnstaple HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
*Subject to availability. If your survey date is longer than 1 week then ask and we will try to fit you in sooner.
** Survey prices vary depending on type of survey, size of property and the property's location.
FREE Online Conveyancing Process For Buyers
Our conveyancing process area includes:
- online checklists
- videos
- free downloads
- useful tips
It is completely free to use - from start to finish - and saves your progress along the way.
RICS Level 2 Home Survey with a Valuation
A RICS Level 2 Home Survey, which used to be called the HomeBuyer Report or a Home Buyer Survey, is generally suitable for:
- Bungalows
- Flats
- Standard construction houses
The majority of Barnstaple's leasehold flats require only a RICS HomeBuyer Report but for any Victorian conversions, a Building Survey may well be required.
RICS Level 3 Building Survey
A Level 3 Home Survey, also known as a Building Survey or a full structural, is the most comprehensive visual inspection a RICS surveyor can provide on a property in Barnstaple. It is suitable for:
- complex buildings, for example those that have been extensively extended and altered
- unique or older historic properties
- properties in poor condition; or
- those where the client is planning to carry out extensive repair and refurbishment work.
Speak to one of our team on 0333 344 3234 to find out if your property suits a RICS Building Survey, or read our article Which Home Buyers Survey suits your property .
