Which surveyors

Homebuyers generally have a survey done on a property after their offer has been accepted by the seller. There are three main accrediting bodies for surveyors - you should check that your surveyor is a member of either:. Includes all the features of a Condition Report, plus defects that might affect the property, and advice on repairs and maintenance.

This is the most basic type of survey. It gives an overview of the property's condition and highlights significant issues, but doesn't go into detail.

A Condition Report is suitable if you're looking to buy a standard, modern property that's in good condition, and want to confirm that everything looks okay. The report uses traffic light ratings to illustrate the condition of different parts of the property.

You'll be able to find out if there are any serious defects that need to be fixed immediately, or anything that might affect the safety of the property. This the most popular type of survey, and the standard choice for most properties in reasonable condition.

A Homebuyer Report looks at everything that would be covered in a Condition Report, with added extras. The survey can take around two to four hours to complete. A Homebuyer Report lists any problems that might affect the property's value , and the surveyor's advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance.

A Homebuyer Report can also include information such as how much the surveyor thinks the property is worth on the market, and how much it would cost to completely rebuild the property if it was destroyed and couldn't be repaired. It includes photographs to make it easier to understand and highlights issues to follow up on before purchase.

It also flags any legal questions your conveyancer should check for you. You can download an example of a Sava Home Condition Survey below. Also known as a full structural survey, this is the most thorough survey you can get. It provides a comprehensive analysis of both the property's structure and condition.

It's usually only undertaken on houses, not flats. The report will list any defects and advise on repairs and maintenance. You can also ask the surveyor to include projected costs and timings for any repair work recommended in the report. The cost of your survey will vary significantly depending on the location, size and type of property. Different surveyors will also charge varying amounts, so make sure you get a few quotes before deciding who to use.

The figures below give a rough idea of what you might pay depending on the price of the property you're buying. When you apply for a mortgage , the mortgage lender will carry out a valuation on the property to make sure it's worth roughly what you're planning to pay for it.

This is not offered by most ISVA members as it is considered to include too little information to be of any real value when making informed decisions about the condition of a property before purchase.

Whichever survey you choose, a full description of the service will be given in the Terms of Engagement and Scope of Work which your surveyor will provide. To assist you further in choosing the appropriate survey level, examples of differences between the Level 2 and Level 3 Survey are set out on their individual pages.

Will my Mortgage Valuation be sufficient? So what are the options? ISVA Members offer the following surveys. Find out more. Based on a detailed, visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds.

Levels of report. Building Survey - Level Three. There is sometimes an option to pay the lender to upgrade their mortgage valuation to a more comprehensive report like a Homebuyer or a Building Survey. This can be quite cheap but allows the lender to see the full report.

SW19 4NG. SW19 7JY. Which Survey? Compare survey types and find which one you need. Facts about the property Building Survey Homebuyer Report Property was built before Property in need of renovation or already been extensively altered Property is of unusual construction. SW19 7JY No. Read Richard's story. India's first and only School of Built Environment - an industry led academic institution. It also serves as a hub for research and development of technical expertise in built environment.

Start your career - apply now. Technology is transforming the world and surveyors work with many of the latest innovations — from drones to augmented reality, artificial intelligence and even 3D-printed buildings:. You are here: Home Surveying profession What is surveying? What surveyors do. What surveyors do What surveyors do Surveyors shape the way we live. Explore our global impact View our interactive map to see how we influence policy, protect businesses and consumers and embed our respected global standards.

Laura Collins, Young Surveyor of the Year. Construction and infrastructure careers Making crucial decisions of what goes where and why, surveyors are involved in planning the construction of everything from skyscrapers to shopping centres and festivals to football stadiums. Surveying roles in construction and infrastructure Building surveyors help create and supervise everything from towering skyscrapers to simple home extensions.

Project management surveyors run teams to deliver projects on time and on budget. Quantity surveyors assess the financial impact and profitability of construction projects. Building control surveyors design and manage the use of buildings to make sure they comply with laws and regulations.

Infrastructure surveyors ensure the effective running and connecting of cities, including rail, road, broadband and electricity.