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New Home Inspection
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

New Home Inspection

Recently, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has released a surprising figure about new home owners. It is said that, on average, buyers are left with a £5,750 bill for repairs due to a number of shadowed problems including mould and structural defects. When you are searching for a new home, it’s easy to ignore any problem areas. Estate agents are able to offer advice and guidance on this subject but they aren’t able to deliver a high enough level of accuracy to fully protect your potential investment.

It is only qualified and experienced surveyors that are able to thoroughly assess a property to pinpoint any areas of concern or for further assessment. As it’s one of the biggest financial decisions that you’ll probably make in your life, it’s important to know that you’re putting your money in a good investment. If consumers aren’t aware of the problem signs to look for, it could leave them with a property they do not want any longer but aren’t able to sell.

Although you most likely won’t be able to find everything that is wrong with the property without the help of an expert, there are a few things that you can look for during your first viewing to help you decide whether it is worth even buying a survey. This could include looking for any cracks in the walls, ensuring that the water pressure is normal, or keeping an eye out for any bubbles in the wallpapering as a sign of damp.

We’re experts in property appraisals and valuations, offering a number of services to suit every requirement. If you need a survey or home buyer report in Maidenhead, Reading or Slough, we are the team you can trust. Whether you’re a commercial customer or residential, you can always be confident that we have the expertise you need to make the right decisions. As authorised members of the ESG and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, we always adhere to guidelines and provide a complete solution. We can help you make the right investment.

Learn more about how we can help you by calling our team today. We commit our time to helping all clients and ensuring that they receive the best deal on their new home purchase by providing the most accurate surveying and home buyer report in Maidenhead and throughout the surrounding areas.

Potential Buyer Building Surveys
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

Potential Buyer Building Surveys

When you’re preparing to buy a property, you’re making a huge financial commitment. It is because of this that you need to truly know the building you are purchasing and what condition it is in. You will have been cheated if you pay the full price for a property that is in poor condition and you do not want to be spending additional money on repairs and maintenance. If you’re in need of a building surveyor in Slough, look no further than our team here at Patterson Francis Associates, where we can offer you thorough building surveys.

Between commercial and domestic property, you will spend a lot of money just purchasing your chosen property. You don’t want to be further dragged down by investing in constant repairs just to bring its condition up to par. Getting a true value of a building simply requires a full survey to be undertaken. By having a full survey performed on the relevant property, you will be able to see certain issues that would otherwise go unnoticed until you purchased the property. A building survey is relatively simple but is invaluable, and it certainly should not be skipped as it has the potential to save you a lot of money.

A building survey consists of a comprehensive inspection, followed by a full report and a list of recommendations to be carried out. The roof, windows and doors are inspected, and all floors are checked. Damp levels are checked and timbers are examined for signs of damage such as woodworm or rot. Systems such as gas and heating are visually checked, and external aspects such as paths and fences are checked as well. Walls and foundations themselves are also checked to ensure that the foundation is not faulty in any way. Once the inspection has been completed, we will draw up and provide you with a full report on the condition of the property. Also included will be a list of recommendations in regards to issues and calculated repair cost to let you know how much you will need to spend on repairs, and thus how much you should offer for the property.

As members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, you can be fully assured that all surveys are carried out professionally and thoroughly. We pride ourselves on offering nothing less than the best possible standards of service and ensuring that every survey that we complete fully satisfies our customer and aids them with buying their property.

Home Buyer Reports Offer Protection than Mortgage Surveys
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

Home Buyer Reports Offer Protection than Mortgage Surveys

Before you can purchase a property, mortgage lenders require an independent survey be conducted to determine the valuation. This helps them to decide how much they are willing to lend you based on the collateral the building offers. Buyers have to pay the cost of the survey but the documentation will be owned by the lender so if anything is missed in terms of the condition you can’t claim liability on the part of the surveyor.

With the cost of the mortgage valuation many buyers are better off paying slightly more and getting a full home buyer report or structural survey done. Both of these options provide more protection and mean the surveyor is liable if a full picture of the property’s condition is not provided. Each of them also takes a much closer look at the property so you’ll have more details to base your decisions whether to buy and how much to pay on.

The best surveyors conduct detailed reports and provide evidence because they could be liable for errors that aren’t found. This means they have the motivation to look at properties closely and do the best job they can. Parts of the property that aren’t looked at will be noted on reports and recommendations provided for additional checks and tests. Information about any repair work and a ranking of how urgent it is should be provided. Some providers also offer estimations for the repair costs.

We are committed to offering impartial property surveys and reports, and can offer you a full and comprehensive home buyer report in Reading or any of the surrounding areas. We can be on hand to examine a building at short notice and can have the report ready a short time after the site visit. We understand the importance of speed when it comes to buying a property, especially when it is in a high demand area, and will ensure we keep delays to a minimum.

All of our reports are presented in the standard RICS format. We follow professional guidelines at all times and strive to ensure we provide the best level of service possible. Make us your number one choice when you are in need of a suitable home buyer report in Reading.

Buying Surveyed Property
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

Buying Surveyed Property

There are so many potentially undisclosed issues with properties that it is advisable you get a full survey done before you go ahead with a purchase. This offers the best possible protection and means you don’t buy a time bomb that will result in huge costs further down the line. From a casual look at a property it is almost impossible to get an accurate idea of the condition; the survey will help you to get a fuller picture. Even if you are confident of your assessment it is good to get a second opinion. As a professional building surveyor in Maidenhead, we can provide all the help you need to inform yourself before you go ahead and buy.

A recent study conducted by RICS asked 1,017 property buyers in the UK whether they got the property surveyed when they bought a home. Of the number a quarter didn’t, many of them to their regret further down the line. The most interesting finding is that 73% of the people asked got a survey simply for peace of mind.

Many of the most severe issues with a property cannot be seen by the untrained eye. Several of them will even be hidden by the fabric of the building and will only become apparent when the damage is extensive. Things like rising damp, wet or dry rot, inadequate roofing support and subsidence can go unnoticed for several years before they come to light and are incredibly costly to fix. The survey should find signs of these and ensure you know exactly what you are getting in to.

There are a few reasons people fail to get a building surveyed but the most common are the costs and the amount of value buyers perceive they offer. Some base their decision on the mortgage survey. It is important to remember that this is done at the request of the lender and won’t look at the property from your perspective; instead it only takes the value into account. By requesting your own examination of the building you ensure the surveyor looks at it with you in mind. Many providers even include estimations of repairs costs for you.

If you’re looking for a building surveyor in Maidenhead with a fantastic track record we are the company for you. We are experienced local specialists with an in-depth knowledge of the conditions properties in the area have to face. All of our surveys are delivered in RICS format and include an assessment of the severity of conditions. We promise the best value for money and look at structure in fine detail to give you the most accurate information we can.

Providing Premium Property Evaluations
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

Providing Premium Property Evaluations

Investment in a property is a monumental financial outlay, and it is crucial to obtain a full and detailed report concerning the condition of a property before you think about buying. A professional building surveyor can conduct a thorough assessment of a structure and furnish you with the comprehensive knowledge you need before you enter into any financial contracts. As a professional building surveyor in Slough, we can provide all the help you need.

Our service consists of a full inspection. We will check all the visible and accessible structural components. If you are considering the purchase of an older building, it is advisable to have it checked completely as they are more vulnerable to decline. It is vital to check the structural integrity of the property in order to identify any movement or other problems with the foundations and walls. A full survey also includes a roof inspection to determine the existing condition and locate any defects such as holes, cracks and leaks.

We will also look for any indication of woodworm and dry rot as well as search for any presence of damp and check all condensation levels. A visual inspection of gas, plumbing and electricity systems will be carried out, but safety tests are not included in the survey. We will fully examine all doors, windows and internal hinges. Driveways, paths and external structures such as fences will also be checked.

The point of the inspection is to discover any and all defects the property possesses. There are all manner of issues that can conceal themselves and present problems once you have taken possession which will inevitably lead to unwanted expense. It is our role to make sure that you avoid these pitfalls. Upon completion of your inspection you will receive a detailed and concise report highlighting any issues and an estimate of repair costs.

When in need of a reputable building surveyor in Slough and throughout the surrounding areas, we are the one stop solution. Every surveyor we recruit is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. We believe in consistently updating our knowledge and replenishing our resources to deliver excellent standards of service.

Our comprehensive service includes mortgage valuations, home buyer reports and structural surveys. We offer professional guidance and every aspect of our work is underpinned by integrity. Contact us for advice and information and discover how we can help you make an informed decision that will save you valuable time and money.

Three Different Property Surveys Type
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

Three Different Property Surveys Type

RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) is charged with the regulation and promotion of the highest standards within their industry. They have a very big role to play and accredit over 110,000 professionals in the UK, promoting the best in education, conduct and ethics. The organisation can be traced back to 1792 and the formation of the Surveyors Club.

One of the major roles RICS plays in the modern world is determining how properties are surveyed. In terms of homes this can be broken down into three different surveys; condition reports, home buyer reports and building surveys.

A condition report is the most basic and looks at the status of the property including highlighting any defects and offering legal guidance. This is typically the cheapest survey you can have done and is usually prescribed for newer homes and conventional properties.

The home buyer report includes everything the conditional one does, but with a number of extra useful details such as a market valuation. Where the condition survey only highlights defects, this one will assess how they affect the value of the property and how much they could potentially cost to repair and maintain.

The final option is essential for larger properties and older ones, particularly if you are planning any renovation or construction work on them. This is the most detailed survey of the three and includes a great deal of information. It is also the most expense of the three.

Buying a property without having any form of survey done is very risky. Even a simple conditional report can provide some extra measure of security although it is advised to get one of the other two so you can have as much information as possible.

If you’re planning on buying a property, we can provide you with a professional and skilled building surveyor in Reading to help inform you before you proceed. This will offer great protection for your money. Home buyer reports are useful because they will establish the value of the building and help to prevent you from overpaying. Additionally they will reveal much more about the condition of the structure than you can find in viewings. If you have any worries about the structure a building survey should be done. Contact us for further details about the services we can offer you.

Home Buyer Report is Needed
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

Home Buyer Report is Needed

Whether they are moving from their existing property to a new one or purchasing for the very first time, many property buyers ask themselves is if they need a home buyer report. According to statistics, four out of five buyers do not have a full investigation of their new home carried out, which can lead to costly mistakes in the future. A lot of people believe that they do not need a report because of a variety of reasons, including the age of the property, local knowledge, and believing that their mortgage lender will do it for them.

However, this is simply not the case. Lenders only instruct surveyors to construct an accurate valuation of the property to make sure that they are not lending too much, impairing the ability to be reimbursed if the property is repossessed in the future. While some may go into further detail, it is too risky to rely solely on a valuation.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) is the UK’s first choice for new home warranties and many home owners believe that their new build will be protected with this, steering away from a report. In fact, the terminology is misleading as it is not a guarantee but a warranty only effective for the first two years after construction.

Unless you are buying a home directly from the developer, it is still recommended to include a home buyer report in your buying strategy. There are a variety of different surveys available for individual requirements and which one you select is entirely dependent on your specific circumstances. You can choose from:

– Building Survey: This provides a comprehensive report on the structure and is tailored to your property. It includes highlights of any defects that may be in the building, along with outlining maintenance and repair options that you should consider.

– RICS Home Buyer Report (HBR): This offers ratings on the condition of the property, details of urgent defects that need to be taken care of and legal advice. In addition, it also provides a market valuation and advice concerning anything that may decrease the value. HBRs sometimes include recommendations regarding ongoing maintenance too.

When you come to us for a home buyer report in Maidenhead and throughout the surrounding regions, you don’t have to spend a fortune to gain an accurate understanding of your new property. We are dedicated to providing affordable service to help our clients protect their investment in the long run. As purchasing a home is likely to be the biggest financial commitment of your lifetime, it is paramount that you make sure you are investing correctly. We can help facilitate decisions like these so that you secure your financial future. Contact us today for more information.

Secure Investment Using Home Buyers Report
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

Secure Investment Using Home Buyers Report

Once you have an offer accepted on a property, it’s important that you have a home buyer’s survey carried out. They help to gain an understanding of the condition of the building and allow you to understand any repairs that may be required. Not only does this help you plan for the future, but it can also provide you with a powerful reason to negotiate a lower price or ask the seller to fix any issues before you buy.

Many people are under the misconception that you do not require a survey to be carried out if the home is a new build, but actually this is far from the case. While you may not need the complete report that an older property does, it is still highly recommended to have a new build snagging survey done. This is a specialist survey that assesses new homes, picking up any possible mistakes such as poorly finished paintwork or plumbing mistakes. If anything is found during this assessment, your inspector will work with the developer of the property to make sure that all defects are resolved.

It’s important to know that a mortgage valuation is not the same as a home buyer’s survey, but it is easy to confuse the two. A mortgage valuation is something that you also pay for but is entirely in favour of the lender, and not really of any benefit to the buyer. It simply confirms that they are lending the correct amount, meaning that there is no obligation or responsibility to report on any repairs needed. To secure your investment, it’s best to ensure that you have both. If you would like help with any aspect of purchasing property, give us a call.

We have provided specialist property services for over 30 years, gaining a reputation as a reliable and convenient company. Whether you would like a home buyer report in Slough or any other area, a building survey, structural survey, new building snagging, or need help with landlord and tenant act negotiations, we are the ideal choice for your needs. Our team are able to service both commercial and residential clients, providing expert solutions for all.

Inspecting Whole Property
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

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
February 14, 2017in Uncategorized by Adam

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.

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Estate House
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Maidenhead
SL6 4JQ

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francisassociates.co.uk

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Residential Property Surveys
Building Surveys
Structural Surveys
Homebuyer Reports
Property Valuations For Mortgages
Court compliant Matrimonial Valuations
Inheritance Tax Valuations
Schedules of Condition
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Landlord and Tenant Negotiations
Commercial Property Surveys
New Building Snagging

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Articles

  • Home Buyer Reports
  • How to improve your home’s valuation
  • What is included in a home buyer report?
  • Why do I require a building survey?
REGULATED-BY-RICS-LOGO-BLACK

Building Surveyor

Patterson Francis & Associates specialise in all aspects of surveying, from providing mortgage valuations to home buyer reports and building/structural surveys. When you want to get a clear picture of the commercial or domestic property we can give you the confidence that all areas have been inspected.

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Home Buyer Reports

Real estate is one of the most important and expensive purchases people make during their lifetime. Before making such a big leap it is important to check the condition of the property to ensure you protect your interests and don't pay over the odds for a property that has repairs that will be expensive to correct.

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Chartered Surveyor

The job of chartered surveyors is to analyse a building and check its condition. Surveying the building, we check the integrity of the structure, both internally and externally, to find any faults. We are a premier chartered surveyor for Reading, providing this city and the surrounding with expert surveys and feedback.

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