Patterson Francis and Associates Blog
Inspecting Whole Property
When you consider buying a property, you want to make sure your money is safe. Even if the property is to be your new home, it is still an investment for the future. You should try to view the building several times to make sure you are happy with your choice and get as good an idea of the condition as you can. If you spot any signs of wear or want further information before completing the purchase, you should have a professional survey completed.
Building surveys include far more information than you can get from a viewing. This is extremely useful, particularly if you see any signs of problems such as damp or rotten timber when you visit the property yourself. The surveyor will look closely at the structural integrity of the building so you get a clear picture of it. The survey also includes estimates for repair costs and a valuation.
As part of the building survey, external spaces will be checked to determine the condition of the site around the structure. This will include an inspection of the boundary fences, walls and any other markers used to determine the limits. Driveways and paths will also be inspected to make sure these are in good condition.
One factor that the survey doesn’t take into account is the environmental issues associated with the property. If you are worried about these you’ll need to get a separate survey. Visual inspections of gas, electric, plumbing, drainage and heating systems will be carried out, but further checks may be required, particularly if issues are discovered in the initial checks.
If you’re planning on buying a property you may consider skipping the survey to save on costs, but this is a false economy and you could be setting yourself up for larger costs in the future. For your security, hire a professional building surveyor to inspect the structure. The information they provide will help you to get an idea of what work the property needs and how much it will cost so you can see if it fits into your budget.
To get a professional building survey or home buyer report in Reading and the surrounding areas, you can always call on the professionals at Patterson Francis Associates. We are based locally and have a wealth of experience. With our help, you’ll get a much better view of the property and can have confidence in your purchase.
Getting Property Important Details
It is always better to get a detailed survey done on a property before you purchase it. The bank or lender you arrange a mortgage with will do a basic check of the property to provide a valuation, but this won’t include problems with the property, issues that need attention and maintenance, and other important details. You shouldn’t buy based solely on this valuation, or you could leave yourself open to unforeseen problems.
It is always better to get a homebuyer’s report or a full building survey. The first option is the cheapest and is the best choice when you are buying a standard property that is in reasonably good condition and less than 30 years old. It is designed to provide information about structural problems and other issues that would pose a problem. Ultimately, the details in the report will help buyers to make an informed judgement about whether or not they should proceed.
A building survey is more comprehensive than a homebuyer’s report and naturally costs more as a result. However, the extra expense can prove to be worth it because it will include many more details. The building surveyor should conduct various different tests as part of the survey, including testing for damp, checking timbers for woodworm and rot, and testing the condition of damp proofing and insulation. They will also look for minor and major defects and provide estimates of the repair costs. Surveys will vary in price depending on the value of the property.
As well as these reports, you can also commission a defect report if you notice a specific problem with the property during a viewing. This will focus specifically on the issue you highlight, so other areas of the property won’t be checked.
It is always wise to discuss the property with the building surveyor when deciding what type of survey to get. The more detail you give them, the better equipped they will be to decide which service they feel is best for you. A full building survey is always the better option if you are buying an older property and especially so if it is listed because this will have an impact on the work you can do to it.
We are equipped to provide detailed property surveys and valuations for buildings of any size, including residential and commercial premises. If you need a building surveyor in Maidenhead or any surrounding areas, please get in touch.
Ensures Provided Safe Home
With the present state of the market, it can often stretch our finances to the limit to buy the house we want in the area we want to be in. We often need to cut our budget in order to afford our choice of ideal home, and the last thing we want to do is have to spend further money on fixing unexpected problems. With this in mind, a Home Buyer report or Building Survey report is a worthwhile investment, as it could save you from much higher costs later on.
As a leading building surveyor in Slough, our advice to property buyers is to contact us to discuss the different types of reports and surveys we can undertake for you. A common misconception is that it is part of the Estate Agent’s responsibility to sell on condition that all faults or issues with the property have been dealt with. This is not the case. In fact, it’s very much the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that they are aware of any matters affecting a property before they agree to buy.
At face value a building survey or home buyer report might seem like it carries a high price. In reality, they are usually something we deliver for less than 1% of the value of a property, and can help you avoid having to spend far more addressing an existing problem at a later stage. As we are RICS associated and accredited surveyors, you have the assurance of knowing you’re working with the very best. If there is a problem, we will find it and report on it accurately and swiftly.
In many respects, it may be best to view our comprehensive building survey reports as being similar to the MOT for your car. That test gives you a third party, objective report which shows your car is safe to use. Our building survey reports deliver the same for a house you are looking to purchase, making sure you are well aware of any potential problems likely to affect it. If you’d like further information about what our building surveyor in Slough can provide for you, just get in touch.
Spotting Hidden Property Issue
Hiring a building surveyor to inspect a property before you purchase it is a good way to protect yourself against potentially hidden problems. The seller may not have had the property inspected when they chose to put it up for sale, so there could be unknown issues you will have to deal with later. The last thing you want to do is complete the purchase only to find you will need to pay large fees to fix problems that you could have discovered earlier with a survey.
One of the most crucial parts of a building survey is a check of walls and foundations. If there are problems with either of these there could be huge costs to correct the issue, especially when it is caused by subsidence or foundation settlement. In the worst cases it may even make the building uninhabitable.
You can spot some signs of problems by looking for cracks in walls and around windows. Long, wide cracks indicate a potentially serious issue that could be extremely expensive to fix. If there are signs that cracks have been repaired, you should ask about the problem and what work was done. If there is a settlement or subsidence issue, simply patching the cracks over is unlikely to have fixed the problem and it could very well have worsened over time.
Whether you spot signs of trouble or not, it is still advisable to have a survey. The surveyors will know what to look for and will be able to take a much more critical view of the building that will ultimately help you to get a better idea of the condition. When you view properties it is not easy to do a detailed inspection by yourself, so hiring a surveyor brings valuable additional protection and could save you a great deal of money too.
At Patterson Francis & Associates we can provide you with a professional building surveyor in Reading, Maidenhead and any of the surrounding areas. We are proud of our experienced team and the great work they do, and all the reports we produce are high quality and filled with useful information. They are broken down into sections, listing the most important points and providing recommendations for work that needs to be done.
Building Surveys Invaluable Advantages
Analysis of the property market over the last twelve months shows that a staggering number of homebuyers are opting to purchase houses without investing the time to find out if the property is in good condition. It has also been highlighted that some homebuyers are unaware of the advantages a building survey offers them whereas others are simply reluctant to pay for a survey. Furthermore, many buyers that do commission an independent building survey go for inexpensive options which may miss crucial details.
Surveys offer homebuyers numerous benefits. They can help you avoid unexpected and expensive surprises and give you peace of mind about the flaws that may be found in a property. A survey proves to be very reassuring, especially for those taking their first steps onto the ladder. The information produced can influence your decision to buy or give you room to negotiate on price. If a survey reveals that work estimated at £5,000 is required, it is entirely acceptable to ask the seller to reduce the price by this amount. An alternative course of action is to ask the owner to rectify any issues before you buy.
A building survey is the most extensive and offers you a comprehensive analysis of the property. They are particularly beneficial for older and listed properties and are essential if you intend to carry out any construction work. Your survey will consist of an inspection of every visible, exposed and accessible area of the building. Matters such as dry and wet rot, woodworm and damp levels will all be checked. Walls, foundations and floors will be carefully assessed along with all doors and window frames. An internal and external inspection of the roof will be carried out along with fences, driveways, paths and other site features. Finally, all gas, electricity, central heating, plumbing and drainage systems will be visually inspected but the survey will not include tests.
A conscientious surveyor will ensure you receive excellent value for money and that you are fully informed of the property’s condition. We are a team of reputable chartered surveyors and we specialise in residential and commercial valuations, surveys and appraisals. We are a trusted name if you require a home buyer report in Maidenhead or any of the surrounding regions, and we dedicate ourselves to delivering a high quality service.
Giving Potential Buyers Accurate Information
2015 has so far seen the strongest activity on record for mortgage valuations since 2007. The property market has seen an increase in the valuation activity of established homemovers as well as first time buyers. Many property owners with a mortgage that seemed competitive a few years ago have found it may be in their interests to refinance, and this recalibration of the mortgage market along with a rejuvenated property purchase market has led to significant growth in the valuation sector.
Mortgage valuations are essential when it comes to buying property as they offer beneficial insights. A property valuation is specifically for the benefit of the lender whereas a homebuyer’s report is designed for the person interested in purchasing the property. It is important to consult reputable chartered surveyors to be sure of a clear and thorough assessment.
Mortgages are commissioned by lenders and the purpose of a valuation is to assess the condition of a property to make sure its value is equal to the loan amount. A mortgage survey covers only this aspect and does not highlight any information about any structural flaws that may be present.
Before you make a monumental financial investment like buying a house, it is crucial to find out everything you can about the property’s condition. A homebuyer’s report is there to assist prospective buyers with an accurate assessment and to help them avoid paying more than they should. In addition to our valuations, we also deliver an estimate of market value that is based on our results as opposed to the agent’s asking price. The homebuyer’s report includes an inspection of the visible parts, required repairs and degree of their urgency, legal matters, any need for specialist reports and insurance rebuilding costs.
As real estate is such an important outlay we offer the highest quality surveys and services. We ensure you are fully informed of the current condition of a property and help you avoid repairs, replacements and expense further down the line. If you are considering buying a new property and need a home buyer report in Slough, call us to arrange an appointment.
