Building Surveys

Manchester Building Surveys

Some clients refer to building surveys as “Structural Surveys.” Whichever the name, your Manchester Building Surveyor gives you and your property the full attention required of highly trained property inspectors who are qualified either by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), or Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA). 

They pay close attention to properties that are over 100 years old—and to those that have been significantly modified or rebuilt. Your structural survey will cover all accessible and visible parts for a comprehensive overview of the building.

Manchester Property Survey –First-Time Buyer or Experienced Investor

If you’re setting out to climb the property ladder in Manchester, you might be somewhat daunted. After all, it’s a busy place with vibrant areas and a lot of competition, so whether you’re a buyer or an investor, you need to make sure you’re getting the right property. This is where the RICS Level 3 Building Survey comes in. It is the best survey that offers a detailed exploration of the building, meaning you can evaluate your potential new home or investment in respect of what might cause you problems. 

If you are considering the purchase of a property, it is essential to know its condition. A Building Survey will provide a comprehensive overview in that it goes much farther than the basic Homebuyer Report in its assessment, not just in respect of the structure but of the construction materials that make up the home. While the Homebuyer Report will identify the presence of damp and some other significant issues, it does not identify more hidden issues. The Building Survey is also clearer in its instructions on what needs to be done should a serious issue be uncovered.

Residential Surveys

Whether you are purchasing your first home or another, you absolutely must get a survey! Simply typing your new postcode into a search engine is not nearly enough… you must ascertain, in minute detail, the condition of the property, both inside and out, and any indications of immediate repair and maintenance problems that would be your responsibility. Examples of key detail questions include: How much will it cost to change the roof? Is there any risk of subsidence? What are the local development plans? Are your next-door neighbours planning to carry out works that will reduce your property value? These are all matters which need to be investigated!

Surveys of Residential Roofs

If you need a Building Survey in Manchester, the team is here to assist you! Our panel consists of expert RICS chartered Building Surveyors in Manchester and the nearby areas.

Ensuring that your Manchester property receives the correct type of survey is of utmost importance. For example, if you live in a flat in Manchester, you would not need a drone survey if you have access to the roof. Conversely, if you’re purchasing an ultra-modern flat in Manchester’s city centre, you wouldn’t typically require a damp and timber survey for your new dwelling.

The kind of survey you need depends on several factors. However, some of the most important elements are the age, location, and condition of the property in Manchester. You should consult an independent, chartered surveyor who knows Manchester’s property market well. They can steer you toward the right survey for your specific situation. Then, you can feel certain that you are in a position to negotiate effectively for your potential new home.

Types Of Different Building Surveys in Manchester, London, Bristol, Birmingham & Cardiff

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) provides direction regarding building surveys. It categorizes these into 3 levels:

RICS Level 1 Condition Report

The Level 1 Condition Report serves as the most basic yet essential survey product. It offers a cursory assessment of a property’s state and is particularly appropriate for properties that are relatively modern and conventional. The Level 1 Condition Report also identifies many of the issues contained in the Homebuyer Report. However, it does not provide the in-depth analysis or detailed reasoning that other, more thorough surveys do. Consequently, it is not suitable for property purchases or significant property-related decisions and is almost equivalent to a Schedule of Condition.

RICS Level 2 Homebuyers Report

The Homebuyer Report Level 2 is a more detailed survey that is suitable for any standard property. This report is usually carried out by an accredited RICS, CIOB or RPSA surveyor. The kind of issues that the report will identify—if they exist—include damp problems, timber decay problems, subsidence problems, or serious condition problems with the roof. The report provides a lot of detailed information and does a very nice job of combining expert opinion with necessary and useful advice to the client.

The report rates and advises on the condition of all elements of the structure using the RICS traffic light system. It also typically includes a valuation of the property and a compliance check regarding the embedded re-instatement insurance issue. The Level 2 survey is good if you’re buying a property that is well built and conventional and not experiencing any issues that are evident before the purchase.

RICS Level 3 Buildings Surveying

The most thorough report you can get on a property’s condition and any problems that need to be fixed is called a Full Building Survey Report. You should get this report so that the property you are to live in is properly maintained and any renovations are planned. This report is even commissioned by vendors to know more about the property’s structure prior to putting it on the market. This is a report done by a senior building surveyor, and it tends to be the most expensive, but only marginally.

The Level 3 Survey offers in-depth investigation into the building’s structure and will examine the property’s internal and external aspects. It provides an extensive inspection of the structure and will search for any defects, potential problems, and repairs that the building may need.

In contrast to the Level 1 and Level 2 surveys, the Level 3 Building Survey is a tailored report and will give specific, personalised advice regarding the condition of the building. Repair suggestions, in the main report will be in such detail that you could use them to guide a contractor for when he/she does the work.

Which property survey should you have?

If you are like the vast majority of property purchasers, you will select the RICS Level 3 Building Survey as your survey of choice. This is because it is the most comprehensive and most clearly understood of all the property surveys. In essence, this is the best of all property surveys. It is an est. 100-page document which tells you virtually everything about the property. 

Why a building survey is essential for your Manchester property

A building survey will uncover any potential issues with the property’s structure and condition and give you a detailed picture of what you are considering buying. You wouldn’t ordinarily pay £1m for a house that has damp problems, a half-finished conservatory, and a roof structure on the verge of total failure. Yet, all of these issues can pertain to a house that is for sale but which a prospective buyer is not aware of.

Cost of a building survey

Expenses can differ based on the kind of survey you need and the size of the property. As a rough estimate, a level 3 survey (a full structural building survey) usually starts at about £700, and a level 2 survey (a homebuyer’s report) at around £600.

A mortgage valuation is not a survey of the property

The average person might suppose that obtaining a mortgage valuation would shed some light on the property’s condition. In fact, the opposite is true: these reports are serve only to keep the lenders financially protected. A mortgage valuation is therefore not to be confused with a level 3 survey. For example, mortgage valuations do not give you early warning of any major remedial work.

Employing cutting-edge technology in surveying

The most thorough building report from our selection is the Full Building Survey. It offers the most extensive written documentation that our panel of surveyors can construct. It also provides photos and, where necessary, work quotes. Your Full Building Surveyor may use pole cams to see and photograph some of the less accessible areas of your building.

  • Structural Condition
  • Movement
  • Roof 
  • Perimeter Walls
  • Doors
  • Windows
  • Condensation & Dampness
  • Timber Rot
  • Insulation
  • Services (drains, gas, electricity, heating, hot water, etc.)

How much time does it typically take to carry out a building survey?

The time taken to do a building survey can vary for many reasons, including the type of property, its size, and the nature of any problems it might have. If you’re wondering how long the actual site inspection might take, it is usually in the region of 2-3 hours for a property of average size and with some common defects. On the other hand, if the property is very large or has some serious or complicated concerns that need a closer look, the time taken will be longer.

When should you set up a follow-up call with the surveyor after you have received their report?

Do this within a week of receiving the report. You want to be able to discuss the findings while they are still fresh in both your and the surveyor’s minds. Plus, the timing gives you the chance to address any concerns you may have about the report and to gain a clearer understanding of its implications for you.

What should you do if there are problems found in a building survey?

Even if the survey reveals serious defects, buyers can still choose to proceed with the purchase. However, in these situations we recommend talking to a surveyor or a solicitor about all the serious issues found; they will help you understand the potential significance of the problems, particularly structural ones, and what it’s likely going to cost to get them fixed. Conversely, you can also choose to talk to the seller about making repairs before you go through with the purchase or negotiate a lower price using the survey as leverage. On the other hand, you can simply decide to walk away from the purchase and put your money to work elsewhere.

Surveys of Commercial Property

If you’re thinking of acquiring, leasing, subletting, disposing of, or altering commercial premises in Manchester, you would be well advised to locate a surveyor skilled in the nuances of commercial building surveying – should you spot a defect in a commercial building you can use that information to negotiate an asking price for the property that’s considerably lower than what the seller originally wanted, or you can talk your way out of a bad deal altogether. 

Our Manchester-based team of RICS-compliant commercial building surveyors is equipped to handle matters throughout Manchester.

Contact

Our team prioritizes client care above all else. We look forward to being in touch with you so you can instruct a surveyor in Manchester, London, Bristol, Birmingham or Cardiff. You can reach out to us easily. Just fill out our form, and we’ll get back to you with a free quote for your survey. All our surveyors are qualified as members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and we are one of the UK’s leading providers of building survey and valuation services:

The property survey you commission will be carried out by an accredited professional. Your chartered surveyor will be a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), or will belong to some other industry-standard professional body. Rest assured; you will receive highest quality of professional service for your survey.

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