SURVEYS & VALUATIONS

  Surveys

An attractive house …….

Do you know if it has any serious structural problems???

Why have a survey ?

Properties can be deceptive.  Defects are often hidden or not readily apparent.  Buying a house is an expensive commitment and it is essential to find out all you can about the property before signing on the dotted line.

• Is it built properly ?

• Does it need expensive repair ?

• Are there high maintenance costs ?

• Is the price right ?

Why have more than a mortgage valuation ?

The Consumers Association “Which?” magazine and the Council for Mortgage lenders both advise that it is prudent to arrange a private survey because the mortgage valuation report is prepared for the lender and not the purchaser.  It only answers questions regarding the appropriate security of the loan.

What choice of survey do I have ?

The Homebuyer Survey and Valuation - This is an economy package intended only for homes of a conventional type and construction and apparently in reasonable condition.  It is a concise report in a standard format focusing on urgent and significant matters.

The objectives are to enable clients to make an informed judgement on whether or not to proceed, decide whether or not the property is a reasonable purchase at the agreed price, and to assess urgent and significant matters before exchanging contracts.

A Building Survey - This is suitable for all properties and provides a full picture of their construction and condition.  It will provide technical advice on problems and remedial works.  It advises in greater detail on the general construction of the property, its stability, the need to carry out urgent repairs and planned maintenance.  It will provide details of the whole range of defects, major to minor.  Unless requested, it will not normally include a valuation or testing of services.

Energy Rating Survey -

A service provided by Randles Chartered Surveyors to assess the energy efficiency of properties using the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP).

The Home Energy Rating Report recommends improvements which could reduce fuel cost.  It will show how to save money on heating costs and at the same time help the environment.

Items covered include recommendations on draught proofing, roof insulation, tank insulation, heating controls, boilers and double glazing.  An assessment of annual savings is made if improvements are undertaken together with approximate installation costs and pay back years.

Energy rating surveys can be undertaken as one-offs for householders or as part of a Homebuyer or Building Survey for prospective purchasers if arranged at the time of instruction and subject to an additional cost.

There is no substitute for local knowledge. Randles Chartered Surveyors have in-depth experience in valuing all types of residential property in the area. We have valued houses for many of the major lending institutions.

Many people believe estate agents give valuations of property. In general, unless they are professionally qualified members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, they do not. Most estate agents when providing guidance on an asking price for a property are giving market appraisal. A valuation provided by a Chartered Surveyor is a formal written document. It involves a relatively brief inspection and gives a simple description of the property being valued. The valuation takes into account the location of the property, it's accommodation, it's condition and will usually reflect any major defects that are readily apparent and might affect the value.

Survey Enquiry Form