Should You Skip a Building Survey When Buying a Property?
NO! We know it’s tempting to skip the building survey altogether. Buying a property is a very expensive process, not only now but across the rest of your working life. So you might think you can save a bit of money now by not having a survey done. But here’s the thing. Skipping the survey can be a false economy, as we quite regularly find major issues with a property that can go unseen during an estate agent’s visit. For example, a few years ago we looked at the results of all our building surveys, and we found that on average (whether that’s mean, median or modal), properties required around £17,500 worth of remedial work upon purchase. So it’s not always true that if you buy a property that looks good with a nice new kitchen, you won’t have to do any remedial work now or in the future.
In fact, the results of a survey can often be used to negotiate the price of the property down, usually by more than the survey cost to have done! That’s why surveyors like us see ourselves as part of the house buying process, and even provide a free fee proposal so you know what you’re dealing with up front.
How Does the Building Survey Process Work?
Once you’re happy that you want us to survey your property, all we need from you is an email address, property addresses and the answers to a couple of simple questions. We handle everything else. We’ll talk to the estate agent and arrange a time for our qualified and experienced surveyor to visit the property, and let you know when that will be. When the surveyor arrives, they will inspect every nook and cranny of the property, including within the roof space, all habitable areas, and the externals too. From this inspection we’ll put together a report which details what the building is made of, what condition it’s in and whether any remedial measures are needed. Depending on which level report you’ve chosen, you might also receive a schedule of remedial costs for addressing any issues that the surveyors have found. Typically, our surveyors will be able to inspect the property within 5 working days of instruction, but sometimes this can be a bit longer during busy periods. We will always advise you if this is the case.
What Happens After a Building Survey Is Completed?
Once we’ve seen the property, we aim to get your report to you within 3 working days of inspection, or a maximum of 7 working days after. We then arrange a time for your surveyor to speak with you and address any questions you might have. During this conversation you might want to discuss whether it’s appropriate to renegotiate the asking price or, in extreme cases, pull out of the purchase altogether. It’s really rare that we’ll tell you not to buy the property, especially as every client’s risk profile is different. In all the years we’ve been operating, we’ve only advised this a handful of times, on properties that were so bad only a buyer with a large risk appetite would consider buying them. Your surveyor is then on hand to support you further if you need them in the buying process.
What Should You Look for in a Building Surveyor?
All in all, your building surveyor is there to support you in buying what could be your dream home, using a realistic and pragmatic approach. We know some surveyors will approach these with the doom and gloom method, but at Harrison Clarke we know that we’re there to help you move forward, not hold you back.
One key thing to understand is that not all surveyors work in the same way. While most surveyors will offer a level 2 and a level 3 report, many will use stacks of standard phrases or get-out clauses. But we dictate all of our reports, and don’t rely on a bank of stock phrases to create them. This gives us the freedom to tell you what you need to know in a way that we think you’ll want it delivered.
So, if you’re buying a property for the first time, we’re confident that we’re the partner you need to ensure the property you’re buying is actually what you think it is. Our friendly team at Harrison Clarke are always happy to help you buy your first property. Just get in touch with us today to talk through what you need, and how we can help.
If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality survey on your new home, then you can call our expert team on 023 8155 0051, and we will be happy to help. We can give you clear advice on the condition of the home you’re looking to buy, and highlight any hidden costs so that you go into it with your eyes open.
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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