A Total Survey Service
Buying a home is probably one of the largest financial commitments you will make and it is important that a qualified Surveyor and Valuer makes a professional appraisal of the property before you exchange contracts.
Our Chartered Surveyors have many years of experience carrying out inspections in North/Mid Cheshire, South Manchester and High Peak.
Use these web pages to obtain information on the type of survey which will most suit your requirements.
You can contact us by phone on 01565 751328, fax on 01565 755256 or email so that we can provide you with a competitive quotation.
The Survey team is based in Knutsford which is the administrative centre for the department.
Surveys and Valuations are carried out by one of our
Chartered Surveyors who each have over 25 years of
experience.
We are approved Valuers for most of the major lenders and this can provide a cost saving when commissioning a Building Survey or Homebuyer Survey and Valuation if the Mortgage Valuation is prepare simultaneously.
Energy Performance Certificates can be prepared on your existing property or proposed purchase.
Market Valuation
A Market Valuation is commonly required for matrimonial proceedings, accounting purposes, tax planning, equity transfer, or probate. A report prepared on this basis would not usually be
used to make a decision as to whether to buy a property.
The inspection will take into account the location, age and general presentation of the building, but will assume the property is free from major defects.
Fees start from £100 plus VAT, depending upon the size of the property and the complexity of the valuation required.
Homebuyer Survey
The Homebuyer Survey is priced mid range, i.e. more expensive than a Mortgage Valuation but less costly than a Building Survey. It focuses on defects and essential repairs which are urgent or significant and therefore have an effect on the value of the property and its resale potential. The report includes other background information and also provides a Market Valuation.
This is a nationally used format and is designed specifically as an economy service. It is particularly suited to modern style houses, flats and bungalows and also older style properties which are of simple construction.
The Surveyor’s main objective is to assist the prospective homebuyer to:
- Make a reasoned and informed judgement on whether or not to proceed with the purchase.
- Assess whether or not the property is a reasonable purchase at the agreed price.
- Be clear what decisions and actions should be taken before contracts are exchanged.
The Homebuyer Survey excludes testing of service installations or a full inspection of any subfloor void. Fees start from £230 plus VAT, depending on the size, age and complexity of the property.
Building Survey
A Building Survey can be commissioned for all types of residential properties, excluding flats.
It is particularly suited for older or larger properties and those which are in poor condition or have been structurally altered. It is also suitable for modern properties where the clients require more detail than would be provided in a Homebuyer Survey which is considered an intermediate report only.
Greater information on the nature and cause of defects present is given in order that the client can acquire more detailed knowledge of the property that they are purchasing and plan for future repairs and maintenance.
The Building Survey also provides a Market Valuation.
Where practical subfloor and roof void inspections will be undertaken, along with a visual appraisal of the drains, electrics, water and gas, but the services will not be fully tested.
The report will include photographic evidence of the more significant or unusual of the defects where the Surveyor thinks it will be informative to do so.
Where the Surveyor suggests additional specialist investigation to be carried out, we can offer advice on which type of contractor would be most appropriate.
Fees start from £280 plus VAT, depending on the size, age and complexity of the property.
Energy Assessment
An Energy Performance Assessment can help a seller to improve their property to make it more attractive to a buyer.
There is now an increasing interest and awareness about energy costs and efficiency in dwellings and their impact on the environment. The energy demand of a property is likely to play an increasing roll in buyers decisions in choosing between different homes.
Fees start from £80 plus VAT depending on the age, size and complexity of the property.
Q. Why bother with a survey, it just adds costs?
A. Whether this is your first home purchase or you have moved a number of times, you will want to protect your financial investment and avoid unforeseen expenditure just after you have moved in, at a time when funds are often stretched.
Q. The mortgage lender is carrying out an inspection, isn’t that enough?
A. The lender will normally carry out a Valuation appraisal which is very limited in its nature and extent. It is unlikely to reveal all the significant defects in the property. It may also not be disclosed to you.
Q. Surveys are only for old, very large and expensive properties?
A. Whilst significant defects are likely to be more common in such properties, problems can nonetheless develop in a relatively modern building. Difference types of surveys are available to cover all property types, and the level of information required by the purchaser.
Q. Aren’t surveys expensive?
A. Survey fees have remained competitive in recent years and can be considered relatively inexpensive in relation to the defects they may reveal. Typical Homebuyer Survey fees start at about £230 plus VAT and a Building Survey from £280 plus VAT.
Q. How can my survey save me money?
A. Many of our clients have saved well in excess of their survey fees as purchase prices can often be renegotiated and reduced after a survey reveals previously unknown defects.
Even if no significant defects are revealed you will have peace of mind that you are buying a sound house.
Q. Are Energy Performance Certificates just ‘hot air’?
A. An Energy Performance Certificate can be invaluable to both the buyer and seller if they wish
to reduce energy costs and make the property ‘greener’.
Areas Covered
These are the postcodes covered by the Survey Department on a daily basis.
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You can contact us by phone on 01565 751328, fax on 01565 755256 or email so that we can provide you with a competitive quotation.
The Survey team is based in Knutsford which is the administrative centre for the department.
