Who organises a survey when buying a house?
Even if the house is falling down it is the responsibility of the buyer to get a survey. The seller is aware that all property is 'Sold As Seen' so if the buyer misses a property defect that affects the property's value and they didn't get a structural survey then this is a cost the buyer will have to pay for entirely by themselves.
House survey problems - what do they look for?
The basic answer is that if there is a visual defect found, the building surveyor will report on it. The more detailed explanation of what is included in a structural survey (building survey) is as follows:
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What is included in the home buyer survey and what are its main focal points?
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Level 2: HomeBuyer Report
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Level 3: Building Survey
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Describes the construction and condition of the property on the date of the inspection
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Aims to identify any problems that need urgent attention or are serious
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Aims to identify things that need to be investigated further to prevent serious damage
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Aims to tell you about problems that may be dangerous
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Aims to show up potential issues and defects before any transaction/exchange of contracts takes place
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Includes the standard visual inspection during which secured panels, electrical fittings, inspection chamber covers and other similar features are not removed
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Aims to help you decide whether you need extra advice before committing to purchase
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Aims to enable you to budget for any repairs or restoration
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Aims to advise you on the amount of ongoing maintenance required in the future
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Provides an enhanced service that includes all the features of the standard inspection plus a more extensive roof space and underground drainage inspection
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Provides a reinstatement cost to help you avoid under- or over-insurance
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Provides a market valuation
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Aims to establish how the property is built, what materials are used and how these will perform in the future
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Aims to describe visible defects, plus exposing potential problems posed by hidden defects
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Aims to outline the repair options and give you a repair timeline, while explaining the consequences of not acting
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Provides a longer and more detailed visual inspection of a wider range of issues including a more thorough consideration of the roof space, grounds, floors and services
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What is the cost of a Home Buyer Survey? |
Source:
A Building Survey isn't a Structural Engineer's Report
A Level 3: Building Survey is undertaken by a RICS surveyor who inspects the above points, however a structural engineer inspects a property for other defects once they have been found such as subsidence, removal of a load bearing wall or even a removal of a chimney breast. You can read up more about this by clicking on one or more of the following links:
- What is subsidence?
- What to do when a load bearing wall has been removed
- What to do when a chimney breast has been removed
