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Services

Building Survey

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A Building Survey is the most thorough and detailed report that you can commission on the condition of a property. The survey is usually carried out by a Chartered Surveyor who will be a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in which case he or she will have the letters MRICS or FRICS after his or her name. The RICS ensures that all its members maintain professional standards in their work. When commissioning a Chartered Surveyor to carry out a survey you should be able to feel confident that the results will be appropriate for your needs.

Homebuyer Report

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The new Home Buyer Report is a standard format inspection and report carried out by a Chartered Surveyor who is licensed for this service with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  The RICS launched the new report format in July 2009.  From 1 April 2010, the previous Homebuyer Survey & Valuation (HSV) report format is withdrawn.  The RICS says the new format is an improvement on the old HSV format in as much as it is easier to read, more streamlined and generally more consumer friendly.  It is less comprehensive than a Building Survey but more comprehensive than a simple Valuation.

Valuation Report

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A Valuation Report on a property is usually arranged by a Bank, Building Society or Finance Provider, when they are considering providing a mortgage. The aim of the report is to inform the lender of the value of the property and to ensure the mortgage is appropriate.  It does not involve a thorough inspection of the property and in some cases may not even involve a visit.  It is a slimmed down report and will not have the detail that would be found in a HomeBuyer Report or in a Building Survey.

Party Wall

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The Party Wall etc Act 1996, applies where someone wishes to carry out work on or close to a boundary.  The work may be the erection of a new structure, changes to an existing structure or an intention to carry out excavations within a specified distance of an Adjoining Owner's property.  A common situation is if you want to install the end of a beam into a party wall or undertake foundation excavations to facilitate an extension near to a neighbouring property.  Another situation is if you want to remove an adjoining chimney.  In many of these situations notice may need to be served in accordance with the Act and a subsequent Award may be required.

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