The importance of a building survey or homebuyer report
For many people, buying a home is one of the biggest decisions they will ever make, so it makes sense to have the property inspected by an independent expert. Unless you are completely confident in the condition and construction of your intended purchase, failing to commission a building survey or homebuyer report could leave you exposed to repair bills running into thousands of pounds. Think for a moment – when you viewed the property, did you lift the inspection chamber lids to check the condition of the drainage?
If you’re unsure which survey is right for your purchase, our team can help you choose the most appropriate option – get in touch
for expert advice from our building surveyors in London, and surrounding areas.
Do I really need a house survey?
In difficult economic times it pays to be prepared. In today’s uncertain economic climate, it pays to be well prepared when buying a property. Nobody wants to be left with a home that needs extensive repairs, or one they can’t sell on. A pre-purchase survey gives you greater confidence that you are not inheriting costly hidden issues. By having a survey you’ll be armed with information on the condition of the property. This puts you in a stronger position to decide whether to proceed with the purchase, or to negotiate a better deal. If significant issues are identified, this information can also be used to renegotiate the purchase price or request repairs before exchange.
By commissioning a building survey, any structural problems or urgent defects are highlighted, enabling the buyer to make an informed decision before committing to the property. We say that you are buying a home, and we are inspecting a house – because we are not emotionally involved in the purchase. This allows us to provide a completely independent assessment of its construction and condition, helping you make a confident and informed decision. For a more detailed explanation of what is included in the different types of reports, see our buyer’s guide to surveys and reports, which outlines the key differences and helps you understand which survey may be most appropriate for your purchase.
Our most basic survey is a level 2 Homesurvey Report which is similar to a RICS HomeBuyer Report. It’s both simple and affordable. Designed for newer properties and conventional homes, it provides a clear report on the condition of the property, plus details of urgent faults and advice for legal advisers. It does not provide an additional valuation.
We would strongly recommend a full building survey for higher-value or older properties, particularly those with visible defects, significant alterations, or if you are planning to extend the property in the future.
For more detailed information, you can view our survey options and sample reports here, or contact our team for tailored advice on which survey is right for your purchase.
Why do I need a building survey if my mortgage provider does one?
A cause of confusion, especially for first time buyers, is the mortgage providers’ valuation survey. This is a very basic inspection carried out solely to assess the property’s market value – it does not identify underlying issues such as damp, roof defects, or electrical problems. It is not a building survey or Homebuyer Report, and in some cases the valuation may even be completed remotely, from a desk or by a brief external inspection (“drive-by”).
Do I need a survey for a new-build?
In our experience we would always recommend a new-build is independently inspected. We regularly find all sorts of problems on new-build homes, usually snagging issues, but there have been more troublesome findings. You can read more about the importance of this in our article ‘Buying a new build – do I need a survey?’
Check out a case study on a building survey we’ve recently completed, here.
Collier Stevens, Chartered Building Surveyors provide expert property surveyors in Kent and property surveyors in London, bringing great value building surveys and homebuyer reports across both regions. Get in touch for a quote.
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.