Buying property is one of the most important investments you can make. Using a professional RICS-accredited surveyor ensures you leave no stone unturned.
WS Residential have our own in-house team of Chartered Surveyors on hand to offer you a survey that suits your own unique needs. The RICS home survey offers the highest professional standard.
What are the different levels of RICS home surveys on offer to you?
This service is designed for clients (buyers, sellers and owners) seeking a professional and objective report on the condition of the property at an economic price. As a result, it is less comprehensive than Survey Level Two and Survey Level Three.
This level of service includes a visual inspection that is less extensive than for the other survey levels. No tests of the building fabric or services are undertaken. The report objectively describes the condition of the building, its services and the grounds. It highlights relevant legal issues and any obvious risks to the building, people or grounds. The report is succinct and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects and problems. Where the surveyor is unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence, a recommendation for further investigation will be made.
A Survey Level One report does not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance and this, combined with the less extensive inspection, usually means it is better suited to conventionally built, modern dwellings in satisfactory condition. It will not suit older or complex properties, or those in a neglected condition.
This level of service is for clients who are seeking a professional opinion at an economic price. It is, therefore, less comprehensive than a level three service. The focus is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property.
This intermediate level of service includes a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but still without tests. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. At this level, although it is concise, the report does include advice about repairs and any ongoing maintenance issues. Where the surveyor is unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence, a recommendation for further investigations will be made.
This level of service suits a broader range of conventionally built properties, although the age and type will depend on the knowledge and experience of the RICS member. This level of service is unlikely to suit:
In such cases, a Survey Level Two service will often result in numerous referrals for further investigations, an outcome that many clients find disappointing.
Where the client is planning to carry out extensive repair and refurbishment work in the future, the RICS member should give advice on suitable additional services.
Click here for a sample survey.
This level of service is for clients who are seeking a professional opinion based on a detailed assessment of the property.
The service consists of a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a Survey Level Two. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation – in other words, they are switched on or off and/or operated where the occupier has given permission and it is safe to do so.
The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. Additionally, it should:
Click here to see a sample survey.
