Homebuyers Survey in London
Homebuyers Surveys Vs Full Structural Surveys
If you’re looking to buy a new home and have found a property that you like, it’s a wise idea to invest in a home survey that will be carried out before you start the home buying process in earnest. The surveyor will visit the property to inspect it for any signs of damage or issues that could be costly for you to repair further down the line, giving you the chance of going into the purchase as informed as possible and making sure that there are no nasty surprises for you to find in the future.
A building survey will provide you with all the information that you need about the home before you invest in it, including any pertinent problems that you will need to deal with such as damp, rot, subsidence, structural issues, and the presence of hazardous materials like asbestos.
There are several types of survey to choose from depending on the type and condition of the property that you are planning to purchase. A homebuyer’s report is the most common type of survey that is recommended for the majority of average properties. However, if you want to buy a listed building, an older property, a property with defects or a house that you would like to renovate in the future, it is worth investing more in a full structural survey, which is more extensive and will provide you with more information about the property.
Should You Get a Homebuyer’s Survey or Full Survey?
Deciding on the right type of survey to get before purchasing the property will depend on a number of factors, including the property that you are planning to buy and any future plans that you might have for it.
If you are purchasing a property that is in reasonable condition and of average age, with a fairly typical layout and construction and you’re not planning any major future renovations, a homebuyer’s report could be the ideal choice for you. This type of survey is the most recommended for homes that are an average age and in reasonably good condition. It will inspect the structure and condition of the property on the interior and exterior but does not go into any depth that would require invasive access to areas of the property such as behind furniture, in the loft or attic, or underneath the floorboards.
Conversely, if you are looking into buying an older property or a property that has obvious defects, a full structural survey might be the ideal choice for you. This type of survey is also recommended for potential buyers who are looking into purchasing a home that they want to carry out major renovation work on since it will ensure that the property is safe enough to continue with this and point out any issues that will need to be dealt with before commencing the work.
A full structural survey takes longer to complete compared to a homebuyer’s report and requires access for the surveyor to areas such as behind furniture, underneath the floorboards and in the attic to get as much information as possible about the condition of the home.
Why Get a Homebuyer’s Survey in London?
When viewing a property, the majority of people do not know what to look for in terms of defects and serious issues that could cost them a lot to put right in the future once they own the house. To the naked and untrained eye, it could often seem like there is absolutely nothing wrong with a property, even though there are serious issues lurking under the surface. As a result, homeowners who do not get a survey carried out before they buy their new home will often end up spending an average of around £12,000 in the future on repairs and fixing problems that they were not aware were there when they bought the house. Conversely, homebuyers who opt for a survey to be carried out before they go ahead with the purchase can save up to £5,000 on average in future repair costs.
What are the Main Reasons to Get a Homebuyer’s Survey Report?
If you are in the process of looking into a new home to buy and have found a property that you love, a homebuyer’s survey could seriously change your impression of the property by making you aware of any issues that might not have been immediately obvious when you viewed it. As a result, you are able to go into the purchase of the property fully informed and make your future decisions based on the facts about the house rather than simply considering how you feel about it. Of course, if you seriously love a home, you might still find it worth buying, even with defects that you can repair in the future, just to own your dream home. On the other hand, you might decide to continue looking. As a result, the survey can help you avoid making the wrong decision on the property that you buy overall.
In addition, getting a homebuyer’s survey could also help you get your dream house for less. In many cases, you can use the information that is provided in the report to negotiate a lower asking price with the seller, who might be willing to lower the offer that they will accept based on the fact that the same issues are only likely going to arise in the future with any other potential buyers. If you have a seller who is already in a chain or is looking for a quick sale of their property, they may be willing to reduce the asking price to help you cover the cost of the necessary repairs, which can help you make sure that you are not paying more than is necessary for your new home.
Finally, another reason why it’s worth getting a homebuyer’s survey is that it can help to keep you safe. Dangerous or hazardous areas of the home, such as the use of hazardous materials such as asbestos in construction or décor, might not be immediately obvious when you view the home, leading to the risk of you disturbing them when making future changes to the property and putting your health at risk. The survey will outline any areas of the property that could pose a danger or health hazard to you or your family, giving you the information that you need to deal with these issues and ensure that the home is as safe as possible when you move in.
When Might You Need a Full Structural Survey?
While the homebuyer’s report is usually the recommended option for an average home, a structural survey can also be carried out on any property that you plan to buy. However, it is most likely to be the recommended survey for a house rather than a flat or apartment.
A full structural survey is worth investing in if you are looking to purchase a home that you want to make major renovations to in the future, since it will help you determine that the property is safe enough to carry out the work that you are planning and help you prioritise which tasks need to be completed first to ensure that the property is in good condition to commence renovations. A full structural survey is also recommended for older properties that are more likely to have issues compared to newer buildings.
If you are planning to purchase a property that is over thirty years old, you are more likely to need a full structural survey. Full structural surveys are also recommended for any buildings that have an unusual layout or are constructed using unusual materials, such as concrete.
Why it’s Worth Paying for a Full Structural Survey on an Older Home:
Although the full structural survey is likely to set you back more compared to a homebuyer’s report, it is often worth investing in if you are planning to purchase an older or unusual home, or a property that you want to invest in renovating. This is because the full structural survey is a more invasive and in-depth survey that will leave no stone uncovered to ensure that you have as much information as possible about the home before you decide to commit to buying it.
How to Find Good Homebuyers Surveyors Near Me:
If you want to get a survey carried out on a property that you are planning to buy, there are several things that you can do to find a local surveyor who is experienced and reputable. One of the best ways to do this is by searching on the RICS website where you can find accredited local surveyors using the site’s search function. You may also want to get recommendations from people in your social circle who have used a surveyor that they had a good experience with when buying their property, or ask your conveyancer, mortgage lender or estate agent for details of surveyors that they work with.
Whether to get a homebuyer’s report or a full structural survey carried out will depend on the type of home that you are purchasing and what you plan to do with it in the future.