Why Have A Survey? What Is a Surveyor? A structural surveyor is a professional who carries out detailed surveys on properties and buildings;
surveyors will actively search for problems and building defects which could arise. Once the survey has been completed, you will receive a full report which identifies any problems the surveyor found.
What Areas Do Surveyors Look at? A structural survey is far more detailed compared to a basic survey. As well as looking at the design and construction of the property, a structural surveyor will identify any property related problems such as:
Damaged lentils Supporting walls which have been altered or moved. A presence of hazardous materials that may need to be removed professionally. Damp related issues. Evidence of any insect infestations. Roof problems. Damaged or rotten window frames. Stonework which has been damaged. Poor plumbing, electrical work or insulation.
Do You Need a Structural Surveyor? If you are looking at buying a home in the future but it has been built in the last decade, the possibilities of you needing a structural surveyor will be minimal as the property will be more than likely covered by guarantee or warranty. The warranty will usually cover all major defects on a property which means a Homebuyers Survey will be sufficient.
If the property you are looking to buy looks in poor state or in need of repair, a structural surveyor would be more beneficial. You should always consider having a structural survey carried out if:
The building is in obvious need of structural work. The property is of unusual construction. The building is three stories or more in height. The property is over 40 years old. You intend to carry out major alterations to the building. The property is expensive.
More Benefits of Having a Structural Survey If you have a basic Mortgage Valuation Report carried out you may have very little comeback if any problems arise with the property at a later date; this is because this type of survey are basic and will not find all the problems the property could potentially have. In contrast, a structural surveyor has a legal responsibility to find any major problems; which means if you do find problems that should have been noticed by the structural surveyor you may be able to claim compensation from the company who carried out your survey.
Another benefit to a structural surveyor is that they are very comprehensive, not only do they detail any problems which have been found during the survey, they may also give you an indication of the likely costs of carrying out the repairs of fixing these problems. This can be beneficial as you may decide not to purchase the property if they surveyor identifies the work needed on the property and how much this will cost…saving you time and money.
Contact Us For more information regarding structural surveys, please give us a call on 01243 465 938.