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Frequently Asked Questions

WHICH TYPE OF SURVEY SHOULD I CHOOSE?

The type of survey you choose depends mainly on the age and condition of the property. The Homebuyer report is designed for properties of traditional construction, under 100 years old that appear to be in reasonable/good condition. The Building Survey is recommended for properties over 100 years old or a property that appears to be in a poor state of repair, or of a bespoke/unusual construction. We can assist you to select the correct survey type and the RICS guide here (link) is also very useful.

HOW DO I BOOK MY SURVEY?

Simply the survey type you require on our website and complete the booking from online. Alternatively, call us on 01283 260620 and we can assist you over the telephone. We will make all the necessary arrangements in order to inspect the property.

HOW DO I PAY?

You can pay online via Stripe, by bank transfer or over the telephone using debit or credit card.

ARE YOUR SURVEYORS QUALIFIED?

YES - All surveyors employed by Your Local Surveyor are Associates, Members or Fellows of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the leading regulatory authority in the industry. Our Surveyors also hold a current VRS certificate which is compulsory to undertake valuation work.

CAN WE ACCOMPANY THE SURVEYOR DURING INSPECTION?

Sorry we do not permit accompanied inspections. We will happily arrange for our Surveyor to call you within 24 hours of the inspection to discuss their findings. If you have any particular areas of concern we will discuss these with you at stage of instruction and ensure the Surveyor is aware of your concerns ahead of the inspection.

DO ALL SURVEYS INCLUDE A VALUATION?

No - Only the RICS HomeBuyers report includes a valuation as standard. This valuation is provided for guidance only. The HomeBuyer report also includes a reinstatement/rebuild cost for insurance purposes. Building Surveys do not include Valuations or reinstatement costs however these can be provided on a separate report at an additional cost. Please note - Lenders will always instruct their own valuation using their own panel of Surveyors.

DO YOU TEST SERVICES (GAS, ELECTRIC, PLUMBING) DURING YOUR INSPECTION?

No. By Law, only qualified Gas Safe or Electrical Engineers can carry out tests and reports on services. As part of our inspection, services are subject to a visual inspection only and are usually given a condition rating 3 as standard. It is advisable to have services checked by the appropriate professional before committing to a property.

DOES THE SURVEYOR CHECK FOR DAMP?

All our Surveyors are equipped with a Moisture Meter. At the time of inspection damp readings are recorded from various points around the property. Where a reading is particularly high or where a Surveyor identifies a problem you may then be advised to obtain a Specialist report. A Damp and Timber specialist will undertake a more invasive inspection on the property advising on remedies and costings within their report.

WILL YOU TELL ME IF THE PROPERTY HAS SUBSIDENCE?

If there is evidence of movement past or present, our Surveyor would advise you obtain a specialist report such as a Structural Engineer Report. This report will follow a more invasive inspection on a particular area advising on remedies and costings.

CAN YOUR SURVEYOR ADVISE ON EXTENSIONS/ALTERATIONS?

No. The remit of the report is limited to the condition of the property when inspected. For advice on future plans ie; extensions, alterations, works to be done and pricing etc, you would need advice from a Structural Engineer and or a Reputable Building Contractor. Please note, we can mention that you are considering possible alterations and our surveyor may be able to comment on any elements that may complicate matters ie; location of drains/trees/hazards.

CAN YOU COMMENT ON CAVITY WALL INSULATION?

It is possible to identify if the property has Cavity Wall insulation however the type of insulation cannot be commented on as it will be hidden in the cavity.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE CONCERNS WITH ASPECTS OF THE SERVICE?

We have a dedicated person who will assist with any queries you may have. They can be contacted via email: [email protected]

WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE MY REPORT?

We aim to deliver all our reports within 3-7 working days from the date of the inspection. All reports are sent to you via email as a PDF document. Hard copies are available on request at an additional fee of £8.

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