Sections A-C – The Details
When you receive your survey, first check the property address written on the front cover. It should match the property address that you commissioned a report on. It sounds silly, but mistakes can sometimes happen. It isn’t completely unheard of for a surveyor to visit the wrong property! (Thankfully, it’s not something we’ve managed to do yet.)
After the basic details are out of the way, the rest of the report is split into sections, labelled A-M. The first few sections are largely scene setting for the rest of the survey.
Section A is mostly standard text, giving details about the report, what it is and the inspection. It will also have your surveyors’ details, the property address and some other basic information.
In Section B, you’ll find a summary of the report. This sets out the surveyor’s overall opinion, and group elements according to their traffic light rating. This is really helpful, as it lets you see at a glance what’s been given a red rating – and therefore what needs the most urgent attention. You’ll also find a list of recommended repairs in this section, as well as any further investigations your surveyor thinks you should have done before you commit to the purchase.
Section C is for things about the property that don’t really fit anywhere else. It’s basically a ‘misc’ section. You’ll probably already know some of this information, like when the property was built, how many bedrooms it has, it’s EPC rating and where it’s located. This is also where you’ll be told if you’re buying in a flood risk area.
Sections D-G – The Meat
This is where the real meat of the survey is. Where the surveyor will tell you the condition of the property on an element-by-element basis, as well as explaining what repairs the building needs, or might need in the near future.
Section D is all about the building envelope. In other words, the externals. Roof coverings, gutters, walls etc.
Section E will talk about everything building fabric related internally, which will include roof structure, ceilings and walls.
Section F explains the services – electricity, gas, water etc.
Section G tells you what to expect from the grounds, as well as any outbuildings on the property.
Section H is reserved for if the surveyor found something that might benefit from a legal professional’s perspective. This could be something to do with regulations, guarantee documents, boundary locations or something else. Think of it as a flag to discuss with your legal advisor.
Section I will bring together any risks highlighted elsewhere in the report and put them all in one place. So if you’re a bit of a worry wart, this is a good place to start. It typically contains things you might not have thought about when buying a house, like the presence of radon gasses, or even the size of gaps in the balustrading.
Finally, section J will tell you about energy matters – but only in a level 3 report. Here, you’ll find out useful things about how energy efficient the building is, and your surveyor might set out some recommendations for improvements, or references to where they might be found elsewhere in the report.
The level 2 survey misses the energy section out, and uses different lettering for any further sections. So for now, this is where we leave the level 2 survey, and carry on with level 3.
Sections K-N – The Home Stretch
Section K is the bit that keeps your surveyor honest. They’re required to confirm their identity and qualifications in this secretion, as well as stating that they really did inspect the property and write the report themselves. In fact, it’s often the last bit of the report they do write, since the next few sections are all about standard text.
Section L explains what you should do after you read your report. Whether that’s getting quotes for work, arranging further investigation or speaking to your surveyor for clarity.
Section M goes over the terms of engagement you agreed to when instructing the survey. Yes, this sounds a bit boring, but it can help you understand why your surveyor has said what they said, and what their assessments are based on.
Finally, section N sets out a whole raft of building related terms, like a mini glossary just for the survey. It also presents a rather lovely picture of a partly deconstructed house. This section can be really useful in understanding some of the words a surveyor will use if you’re not completely sure what they mean.
Phew – that was a lot, wasn’t it! But now you know what to look out for in an RICS home survey, and where to find the relevant information. We know it’s a lot to get your head around, but we home that this blog has helped break it down a little bit. Of course, if you find something you don’t quite understand in your survey report, the best person to ask if your surveyor.
At Harrison Clarke chartered surveyors, we understand survey reports inside out. If you can’t wait to get your hands on one of our RICS home surveys, our friendly, knowledgeable team are always happy to help. Just give us a call on 023 8155 0051 to chat with one of us today.
For more expert advice on surveying and property matters, check out our range of informative videos on our website or YouTube channel. Harrison Clarke Chartered Surveyors is here to guide you every step of the way!
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