Specific Defect Report

Regulated Surveyors by RICS, CIOB and RPSA

Understanding a Specific Defect Report

A Specific Defect Report is a form of building survey that probes into a singular specific condition or structural defect found when inspecting a property.

The surveyor studies the problem in detail and gives a recommendation for the remedy of the problem found and structures the report accordingly.

In contrast to an RICS Building Survey that examines the entire property, they focus on just one area of concern. A qualified Chartered Building Surveyor or Structural Engineer typically carries them out.

If you are purchasing a new property, selling, making modifications, negotiating with neighbours, or simply seeking some reassurance, this report can help safeguard your investment and save you money.

What is the cost for a Specific Defect Cost Report?

Many elements influence the cost of the report. They include, but are not limited to, the following: the issue you suspect, the kind and size of your property, and the location and accessibility of that property.

When a property’s defects are examined in isolation, the cost of the resulting report should fall somewhere between the cost of a Homebuyer Report and a Level 3 survey. Since this report covers only the building’s defects, it should cost less than the cost for a Level 2 or Level 3 report. Typically, this price ranges from about £500 to just under £900.

You should be able to get the full report on your building defects from our experienced and well-trained panel of surveyors after just one inspection. For questions, call the Specific Defect Report Surveyors in Manchester and the team can assist you. 

Should You Commission a Defect Survey?

If you’re concerned about your property and want to ensure all work is complete or if you’re in the process of buying a new home and your survey has pointed out a potential issue, a defect survey is a good idea. It checks for any structural problems, from cracks to bulges, in the building’s shell and helps you establish if you need to take any remedial action (or if you just need to keep an eye on things).

Keeping your property in good shape helps protect your investment. It also helps keep your insurance company in the loop when necessary. If you have a residential or commercial property, a survey can keep you informed and convey to potential buyers or tenants just how sound your dwelling is. The same applies if you’re selling or renting. The property surveyors use their expertise to find and flag potential issues. 

What if you are intending to do renovations?

Defect reports can also give you peace of mind before you undertake renovation or redecorating projects. If you’ve decided to make significant changes to your home, you probably want to know that the underlying structure won’t collapse while you’re renovating. A defect report tells you what’s wrong with your house in an objective manner.

What sorts of Defects does a Specific Defect Report look for?

A survey can seek many kinds of potential problems, some just skin-deep and others that might indicate something really serious that would require an expert to come and give the whole house a going-over. Specific defect reports check for possible:

  • poor workmanship
  • cracking
  • subsidence
  • movement of lintels
  • weakening of structural beams
  • leaning chimney stacks
  • wood rot
  • water ingress
  • retreating pointing
  • bad alterations
  • dampness and condensation within the building
  • trees and retaining walls at risk of falling over

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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