Collier Stevens Chartered Surveyors

We're asked loads of questions about surveys, here are the most frequent...

• Doesn't the Building Society do the Survey?
• What type of Survey do I need?
• I'm still confused about whats what!
• Can I pay cash?
• How long does the inspection take?
• How many pages do I get?
• What's your small print like?
• Are you insured?
• How long does the report take to prepare?
• Can I meet the Surveyor on site?
  
• Do your surveyors talk technical?
• Finally, are your surveyor ogres?
   

 Doesn't the Building Society do the Survey?

You should be aware that a Building Survey is not the same as the valuation report which is commissioned by a mortgage lender. This type of report primarily confirms to a lender that the property is suitable security for a mortgage. The report and inspection are brief and provide information that is required by a mortgage lender, although a copy will normally be made available.

Very often when your mortgage lender will offer you the services of their surveyor to carry out your survey.  Thats fine, but they are not wholly independent - the mortgage lenders own their own firms of surveyors.  

In most cases our charges are significantly more competitive then theirs and, despite what they say (sales teams are on commission you know ;-)) you do NOT have to use their surveyor for your own private survey

What type of Survey do I need?

That depends, but probably one of the following

Full Building Survey

A full building survey is a comprehensive and detailed report on the current condition of the property and will take several hours to prepare.

This is the survey that used to be called a "Structural Survey"

Each visible element of the property is inspected to ascertain its condition and suitability, any necessary repairs will be identified as will anticipated major expenditure - for instance the roof replacement or rewiring.

The preferred choice for all property olderthan say 20 to 25 years.

• RICS Homebuyers Report

The RICS Homebuyer Survey and Valuation, commonly called a Homebuyer Reports report is a pre printed form prepared by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.  

Although each element of the property is inspected the level of reporting detail is far more brief and is intended to draw your attention to factors affecting the valueof the property only.  It is not significantly forensic and odes not provide indicative costs of repairs.  

This is reflected in the fees charged. This form of inspection is most suitable for more modern properties.

• Single defect Report

A defect report concentrates on one particular defect, specified by the client. For instance evidence of movement. It will report upon the cause of the defect and any remedial works necessary. This can be most useful following a mortgage valuation inspection.

• Home Condition Report

This report was to form the basis of a Home Information Pack, and was to be commissioned by the vendor.  It is no longer a statutory component of the Pack.  Please call us for more infirmation if you need an HCR.

I'm still confused with what what!

OK, the mortgage valuation just tells the mortgage company they can lend you the money, it tells you nothing.  A private survey tells you everything and the mortgage companly nothing.  The mortgage compoany will try and sell you a survey that will be expensive, you don't hav eot use them, use a local firm of surveyors and you'll get a better report cheaper.  If the house is modern have a Homebuyer Report, if it's old you'll need a Building Survey.  If you want specialist advice such as comment on alteration and costs you'll need a building survey.  If you want to chance it and gamble against future bills don't other with any survey at all.

Can I pay cash?

Yes, of course, but please don't expect us to knock of the VAT or "do a deal".  We leave that to the bloke in the pub who know a bit about buildings!

How long does the inspection take?

The length of time the inspection takes is dependent on the size of the property and the extent of any defects that may be identified. For guidance, an inspection of a typical three bedroom house in reasonable order may take between three and four hours

How many pages do I get?

How many do you want? If we used bullet points we could get it across to you in 3 pages, if you want 60 pages we can waffle away with the best of them.  We think you'll like our usual reporting style which runs to around 20 pages.

What's your small print like?

Not small. Our insurers require us to cover our rear ends quite a lot of the time -  we would prefer not to because we are confident in our abilities.  Yes, our surveys do have get out clauses but we do not hide behind them.  Our surveys are always definite and not wishy washy.  Our small print will be written legibly and be easy to understand and we will stick by our quoted fee. You can see our Standard Terms & Conditions for Building Surveys here

Are you insured?

The RICS require us to carry professional indemnity insurance, we carry £1,000,000 cover against negligence.

How long does the report take to prepare?

We try, wherever possible, to dispatch our report within five working days of inspection. If required a summary or key point report can be made available immediately.

Can I meet the Surveyor on site?

Of course, please ask when you book your survey.  We will give you a time to meet us which will usually be between 2 and 3 hours after we start the survey.  Any earlier and we can't tell you anything!  

We prefer you not to stay for the whole inspection - to be honest it can be extremely distracting and prevent us from giving you the best service.

Do your surveyors talk technical?

Only if you want them to.  Most on the time we talk in real plain English.

Finally, are your surveyor ogres?

What?  You've got us all wrong.  We really are the nicest surveyors around.  All of our surveyors smile all of the time (well...), they are not old or crusty and are more Levi's than tweed.