Common defects found in RICS surveys
If you’re planning on buying a property, undertaking a renovation project, or are concerned about a specific issue on your property, a RICS survey will uncover any issues and what you can do to fix them. In this article, we will explain the common defects found in our surveys.
Need a building survey? We have building surveyors in Kent and building surveyors in London, as well as surveyors in Folkestone and Thanet who can help. Get in touch for support.
What is a RICS survey?
A RICS survey is an inspection of a property undertaken by an RICS Chartered Surveyor. A report is then produced, giving the homeowner or buyer the outcomes of the inspection, such as any faults found and what can be done to remediate any issues. The level of detail depends on the type of survey you have. There are four different types of surveys, each offering different levels of detail.
Get a Quote or Book Your Survey
For reliable, independent, RICS-regulated building surveys in Kent and London:
Call: 01303 239000 (Kent) or 020 8295 1200 (London)
Email: info@collier-stevens.co.uk
Or request your building survey quote online.
What does a surveyor check for?
The surveyor will inspect key areas such as roofs, walls, floors, joinery, plumbing and services. However, the level of detail and advice given in our report will differ, depending on the type of survey you have requested.
The full building survey (RICS Level 3 Report) is the most comprehensive report and includes an in-depth analysis of the property’s condition, along with advice on defects, repairs and maintenance options.
A Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) will describe the condition of the property, identify any risks and potential legal issues, as well as highlight any urgent defects. It also includes advice on defects that may affect the value of the property with repairs.
What are the most common house survey problems?
The most common property defects we find are:
- Damp – Damp is the source of much confusion for homeowners and leaseholders. It’s also the cause of many a dispute between landlords and tenants. Take a look about our blogs about damp issues for more information.
- Drainage – Problems with gutters, down pipes and blocked drains are a common problem and can lead to damp issues. Check out our blog on how to check your gutters to prevent this.
- Roof problems – Often ignored by homeowners unless there is a leak, roof problems can go unnoticed for some time. We always check roofs of properties during our building surveys. Take a look at our roof surveys guide for more information, as well as our blog on what we look for in roof surveys.
- Asbestos – Materials containing asbestos were regularly used by house builders between 1930 and 1989.
- Structural problems – Cracks that are not necessarily subsidence, but can be caused by an underlying issue that needs to be resolved.
- Building quality – Poorly built extensions or conservatories, loft conversions and alterations.
- Building regulations – Adherence, boundary issues, party wall problems, or issues with land being slowly taken from a neighbour can be an issue when you buy a new home – we can advise you if there are any potential issues. Get in touch with our surveyors in Kent and property surveyors in London for support.
Take a look at some examples of surveys we have carried out.
What are the red flags on a survey?
There are some key red flags to look out for when you buy a house – and a building survey will usually uncover these:
- Poorly maintained properties
- Pest infestations
- Lack of planning permission or building regulations not followed
- Subsidence and building movement
- Structural damage
- Significant presence of asbestos
- Untreated damp issues
- Timber deterioration, infestation and decay including dry rot. Take a look at our Dry Rot vs Wet Rot blog for more information.
- Boundary problems
All of these issues could cost a lot of money to put right – or may even render your new home dangerous. Having a survey undertaken may be an additional cost in the short term, but you will be buying a property that you know the full cost of – and you may even decide not to buy that one at all.
What are the risks of not having a survey?
Imagine buying a house without having a survey, then finding out afterwards that you need to pay out for unexpected renovation work. You’re paying a mortgage of £1,000 a month for 30 years, and you now need to pay for any of these issues on top:
- Replacing a roof
- Rising damp
- Replacing faulty cavity wall insulation – take a look at our blog on identifying cavity wall insulation problems for more information.
- Faulty wiring
- Remedying issues with poorly built extensions or other DIY work by the previous owner
- Resolving structural damage that wasn’t obvious to the untrained eye
Despite these risks, RICS suggests that less than 20% of buyers have a survey completed on their new home.
What are the benefits of having a survey?
Quite simply, a survey gives you the information you need to make an informed decision. If you know about defects, you can negotiate the cost of the property down to cover the costs to resolve them. Or you can even decide not to buy the property at all.
If you’re looking at a new build home, here’s our guide on snagging survey vs building survey for new builds.
Get a building survey with Collier Stevens
If you’re buying a new property or have concerns about your home, get in touch with Collier Stevens for a building survey in London and Kent. You can get a free survey quote from our website, or give us a call and we can discuss what will work best for you.
Steven Way
Steven Way BSc MIHEEM MFPWS MRICS is the Practice Principal and is a Chartered Building Surveyor. With over 35 years as a practicing surveyor, Steve has a wealth of experience and expertise in both residential and commercial building surveying, party wall advice and disabled access auditing. He has also built his reputation as an expert witness.