RICS HOME SURVEY

KWD Chartered surveyors provides all your residential surveying needs. We are RICS Chartered Surveyors. We provide surveys of all levels upon all types of residential property from new builds to system build houses and historic listed properties.

What Level of RICS Home Survey do I require?

Condition Survey – Level One:

This service is designed for clients (buyers, sellers and owners) seeking a professional and objective report on the condition of the property at an economic price. As a result, it is less comprehensive than survey level two and survey level three. This level of service includes a visual inspection that is less extensive than for the other survey levels. No tests of the building fabric or services are undertaken. The report objectively describes the condition of the building, its services and the grounds. It highlights relevant legal issues and any obvious risks to the building, people or grounds.

The report is succinct and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects and problems. Where the surveyor is unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence, a recommendation for further investigation should be made.

A survey level one report does not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance and this, combined with the less extensive inspection, usually means it is better suited to conventionally built, modern dwellings in satisfactory condition. It will not suit older or complex properties, or those in a neglected condition.

HomeBuyer – Survey Level Two:

This level of service is for clients who are seeking a professional opinion at an economic price. It is, therefore, less comprehensive than a level three service. The focus is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property. This intermediate level of service includes a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but still without tests. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems.

At this level, although it is concise, the report does include advice about repairs and any ongoing maintenance issues. Where the surveyor is unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence, a recommendation for further investigations should be made.

This level of service suits a broader range of conventionally built properties, although the age and type will depend on the knowledge and experience of the RICS member. This level of service is unlikely to suit:

Complex Buildings, For Example Those That Have Been Extensively Extended And Altered
Unique Or Older Historic Properties – Although Survey Level Two Services May Be Appropriate For Some Older Buildings, The Decision Will Depend On The RICS Member’s Proven Competence And Knowledge And The Nature Of The Building Itself. For Example, A Survey Level Two Report On Homes With Traditional Timber Frames Or Those Built Much Before 1850 Is Likely To Be Inconclusive And Be Of Little Use To The Client Or
Properties In Neglected Condition. In Such Cases, A Survey Level Two Service Will Often Result In Numerous Referrals For Further Investigations, An Outcome That Many Clients Find Disappointing.

Where the Client Is Planning To Carry Out Extensive Repair And Refurbishment Work In The Future, The RICS Member Should Give Advice On Suitable Additional Services.

RICS HomeBuyer Survey

The RICS HomeBuyer Survey is an informative, reliable and cost effective report that provides clear advice regarding any serious problems or specific risks that a property may have.

The survey is written in plain English.
Detailed external and internal visual inspection of the property.
List of issues that may affect the value of the property.
Advice on repairs with a simple traffic light system.
Insurance reinstatement figure for the property.
Legal issues that need to be addressed including information on location, environment and the energy efficiency.

Building Survey – Level Three:

This level of service is for clients who are seeking a professional opinion based on a detailed assessment of the property. The service consists of a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a survey level two. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation – in other words, they are switched on or off and/or operated where the occupier has given permission and it is safe to do so.

The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. Additionally, it should:

Describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected • propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection
Outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair
Make general recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary work and
Give an indication of likely costs (this aspect would not normally form part of the level three service, but some RICS members may choose to include it). Where costings are included, this must be reflected in the terms and conditions.

Where an RICS member feels unable to reach the necessary conclusions with reasonable confidence, they should refer the matter for further investigations. However, at survey level three such referrals should be the exception rather than the rule. A survey level three report should aim to provide the client with all the information they need to make a decision. This level of service will suit any domestic residential property in any condition depending on the competence and experience of the RICS member.

Building Survey

A RICS Building Survey is usually better suited to older properties or properties that are large or require major renovations, listed buildings or those in a conservation area.

The survey is written in plain English.
Verbal discussion with the surveyor after, if required, to discuss any issues.
A more detailed external and internal visual inspection of the property and services.
List of issues that need to be investigated that may affect the value of the property.
Advice on, and the level of repairs.
Legal issues that need to be addressed including information on location, environment and boundaries.
Advice regarding the energy efficiency of the building.

Specific Structural Surveys

We can assess any structural defects on a specific or holistic basis. If you have any concerns regarding a crack or evident distortion, we can assess the cause and propose repairs to consolidate the structure. We can provide structural adequacy certification for the property which can be used to ease any future selling transaction or upon purchase and gaining a mortgage.

Historic Building

Our surveyors are experienced and competent historic building surveyors and have inspected a plethora of listed buildings in Essex and Suffolk. Such buildings will have an inherent requirement for maintenance into the future but we can provide you with a detailed analysis of the current condition of the property and any maintenance considerations for the future. If the property is listed of architectural historic importance it can have an impact on any works you may wish to undertake; which should be assessed prior to purchase.

Land Survey and Complaint Land Registry Plans

We can undertake site measure surveys and provide land registry compliant computer aided designed (CAD) drawings which can be submitted to the land registry to be registered against the title.

What Level of RICS Home Survey do I require?

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