You've found a home to purchase and have had an offer accepted. If you are buying with a mortgage, your mortgage company will send a valuer to the property to establish how much it is worth. The purpose of the valuation is not to inform you of any significant items that require attention.

You must remember that purchasing a house or a flat is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your life, and therefore you need to ensure you are aware of the property's condition.

A survey report by a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors will highlight the areas that require attention and give advice on what you should do.

Surveys come in two main products. The RICS Homebuyer Report and the Building Survey (formerly known as the Structural Survey).

The RICS Homebuyer Report

The RICS Homebuyer Report (HBR) is a concise report in a standard format that reports on significant defects. The surveyor will report on the condition of all the main components of the home and where applicable will detail repairs that are required.

An HBR is in our opinion the minimum report that should be commissioned when purchasing a property. They are applicable for property built in the last 100 years an in apparent sound condition.

Building Survey
The Building Survey gives a complete report on the construction and condition of the property. It is most appropriate on older property or those that are more comlex in constuction.

The surveyor will analyse any defects found during a visual inspection and will go into more detail than the HBR. The cause of any problems are identified and recommendations are given regarding any work required

• Probate / inheritance tax after a loved one has passed away
• Divorce settlements
• Sale of shared equity homes

Please contact us if you require a valuation by a member of the RICS.

For more information on any of the above services,
please call us on 0118 9333158

• Implementing the cost saving measures on an EPC could save you over £250 per year.
• People spend more time researching a £5,000 car purchase than a £200,000 house purchase!

None of the surveys mentioned are invasive and we may recommend you carry out further tests if we feel this is neccessary.

We give a cursory look at the services, but we are not qualified GAS Safe registered gas installers nor electricians, and will often recommend you engage the services of the appropriate professional.