Residential Surveys
Buying a home is often described as the biggest financial decision you will make in your lifetime. Even so, many buyers rely only on their lender’s valuation, which is not a survey. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) warns that a mortgage valuation is carried out for the lender and tells you nothing about the condition of the property or any hidden defects that could be expensive to repair.
Using an independent Chartered Building Surveyor to undertake a survey can prove to be more cost effective than commissioning a detailed report through your lender. You also have the ability to discuss the report with our surveyors.
Wakefields have a wealth of experience in this area and guarantee that a Chartered Building Surveyor will always carry out the survey and report upon your property. We are proud to provide a prompt and professional service and provide digital copies of the reports for convenience.
There are two standard forms of residential survey, the Level 2 RICS Homebuyer Report, a more concise report generally for more modern properties of standard construction, and the Level 3 Building Survey, a highly detailed report which includes photographs that will not only identify defects, but also advise on remedial works and provide outline budget costs for the necessary repairs. Where necessary, we can include a reinstatement cost assessment for insurance purposes.
We are happy to advise on what is best suited to your requirements, and in some cases a more bespoke form of survey will be necessary such as a structure only survey.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our surveyors to discuss.