Top tips for a Portsmouth Home Buyers Survey
Portsmouth has a long history which goes back to Roman times and it has, for example, the world's oldest dry dock, is the site of a number of Palmerston Forts (built in 1859 for defence against possible invasion from the continent) and was extensively bombed in the second world war.
In terms of its housing, there are survivals from many eras but much of the property development has come about as a result of the aforesaid wartime blitz bombing. Initially there were many prefabricated houses constructed and Paulsgrove council estate was completed in 1953.
In terms of its housing, there are survivals from many eras but much of the property development has come about as a result of the aforesaid wartime blitz bombing. Initially there were many prefabricated houses constructed and Paulsgrove council estate was completed in 1953.
Leigh Park had housing estates built in it between 1949 and 1974. Council housing built in the 1960s and 1970s in Landport, Somerstown and Buckland replaced previous housing which had been ruled as 'unfit for human habitation'. Over time, many properties have been sold under the 'Right to Buy' scheme and there has been much renovation.
There are various modern housing developments in and around Portsmouth offering new build housing, such as at Gunwharf Keys.
There are various modern housing developments in and around Portsmouth offering new build housing, such as at Gunwharf Keys.
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Survey Tip 1 | Survey Tip 2 | Survey Tip 3 |
Homes in many areas around Portsmouth, particularly alongside the coast, are subject to flood warnings, including, for example, the coast around Southsea, Farlington, the west of Portchester and the northwest of Portsea Island, including streets such as Quatremaine Road and Dundas Spur, and including Hilsea in particular. 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). | For some properties in Portsmouth dated around 1930s the external walls are 265mm thick cavity brickwork. The walls should be inspected by a Building Surveyors to ensure the condition is satisfactory with no evidence of cracks or bulges. | There are pockets of Portsmouth that have minor readings for radon gas including Hope Street, Commercial Road and Lake Road. You can view more specific data related to your property on the Government website - UK radon. |
Hampshire is a large county in southern england with the south coast as one of its frontiers. Some 85% of its land mass is classed as rural. Its county town is Winchester although this town's population is dwarfed by the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, which are part of the ceremonial county of Hampshire but not the non-metropolitan county. Other major population centres include Basingstoke, Gosport, Waterlooville, Fareham, Aldershot, Farnborough and Eastleigh.Hampshire contains the national parks of the South Downs and the New Forest and these cover some 45% of the county's area. The River Test is well known for its growing number of otters. The county contains many seaside resorts, including Hayling Island. Adjacent counties include West Sussex, Berkshire, Surrey, Wiltshire and Dorset. It is the birthplace of world-famous literary figures Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.
Listed Building Survey Portsmouth
We have local RICS Listed Building Surveyors who specialise in listed building surveys in Portsmouth. To find out more go to - Listed Building Surveys - Building Surveyor and Survey Cost in Portsmouth
Building Survey Portsmouth Planning
You can review what planning applications have been granted or denied for properties in your area by contacting Portsmouth City Council at Civic Offices Guildhall Square Portsmouth PO1 2AU, telephone 023 9283 4334, or you can check the local authority website.
Read the following article if you are thinking about building an extension .
Local Building Survey Portsmouth
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Waterlooville, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Hayling Island, Witney and Portchester.
We employ only expert RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth we'll be able to give you the detailed Portsmouth HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Home Buyers Survey Portsmouth
Recently completed HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys near you:
- Moortown Avenue, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 1EP
- Solent Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 1HH
- Pink Ridge, Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 3LT
- Valiant Gardens, Hilsea, Portsmouth, PO2 9NZ
- Truro Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 4NP
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Homebuyers Survey Costs
Specialist RICS HomeBuyer Report at affordable prices with no corners cut.
Local Hampshire
Building Surveyors
Our Building Surveyor uses their local knowledge of Portsmouth 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.
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.
Panel of RICS Surveyors
Ranging from 10 to 40 years 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 in a Home Buyers Survey in Portsmouth.
Home Buyers Survey - What does it cover?
A Home Buyers Survey is a visual inspection of the grounds and the internal/external structure of the property and identifies defects such as cracks or damage to the structure of the property, subsidence, damp and infestations.
Some of these defects you may not even see or know what to look for which makes getting a Home Buyers Survey, whether a Building Survey (which used to be known as a Full Structural Survey) or a HomeBuyers Report, if you are considering buying a property in Portsmouth, incredibly important.
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)
If your Home Buyers Survey highlights concerns relating to any of these defects your surveyor explains what the issue is in detail and provides a recommendation as to what you should do to further investigate. An example of this is if your surveyor spots signs of damp within the property.
Over 5,000 properties a week in the UK have damp proofing laid to combat the issue of rising damp and home buyers fear seeing mould, peeling wall paper and sodden floors as these are all tell-tale signs of rising damp.
Over 5,000 properties a week in the UK have damp proofing laid to combat the issue of rising damp and home buyers fear seeing mould, peeling wall paper and sodden floors as these are all tell-tale signs of rising damp.
If your property is showing these signs and your surveyor notes using their damp monitor that there is damp internally they'll advise you to get a damp specialist to attend the property, confirm the issue advising whether it is rising damp and quote for the costs in repairing with damp proofing.
If you're looking at buying a home in Portsmouth which is showing signs of damp, or any other defects then you MUST get a Home Buyers Survey.
The costs for repairing the defects can run into thousands of pounds; however, If you can identify the problem 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.
The costs for repairing the defects can run into thousands of pounds; however, If you can identify the problem 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.
FREE Online Conveyancing Process for Buyers
Includes online checklists, videos, downloads and tips - plus it is completely free to use from start to finish and saves your progress along the way.
Is a mortgage valuation a Building Survey?
Mortgage lenders in England and Wales require you to get a valuation for the property in Portsmouth you are buying so that they can gauge whether the amount you are paying is appropriate. This survey is called a Mortgage Valuation. The mortgage valuation is paid for by you but the results aren't always shared with you as the survey actually belongs to the lender. Furthermore, it doesn't include any survey into potential defects or structural issues that are too often found in properties.
There is also a degree of confusion because the mortgage valuation is referred to as a survey and a large number of buyers assume this is what is meant by 'have you done your survey?' It is important that when buying a property in Portsmouth that you arrange your own HomeBuyers survey that reports on defects or potential issues a property has; either a HomeBuyers Report or a Building Survey. Buying without a survey could leave you having to pay out money for any repair costs or defects that you didn't spot. Defects such as rising damp can cost thousands to repair and would affect your future sale price if not corrected.
The average cost for HomeBuyers for fixing works to their property after purchase is just under £2,000, and when some defects affect the resale value of your home, getting an independent HomeBuyers Survey makes a lot of sense, financial and otherwise. Call us on 0333 344 3234 to get the best HomeBuyers Survey for your property in Portsmouth.
HomeBuyers Report in Portsmouth
A HomeBuyers Report is general visual inspection for flats, new properties or bungalows of standard construction.
Most leasehold flats in Portsmouth should have a HomeBuyers Report, however the only exception are converted properties which may need a Building Survey.
Most leasehold flats in Portsmouth should have a HomeBuyers Report, however the only exception are converted properties which may need a Building Survey.
Building Survey in Portsmouth
Most freehold houses in Portsmouth 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.
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.
If you are unsure which survey to choose you can call our surveyors and they'll help you choose - Call 0333 344 3234.
Choose which survey based on its type, style and age then get a competitively priced Home Buyers Survey Portsmouth quote.
