| Surveys Explained |
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Reports
for Homebuyers
Information provided by Surveyline.com |
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Valuations
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| Please find detailed
below useful information relating to survey reports. This information
is provided by Surveyline.com. www.surveyline.com |
| This report is normally requested by Building Societies and Banks who fund your property purchase. In Scotland it is normal for a Valuation or a Survey to be carried out prior to making an offer. |
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If you are paying cash for a property and are not seeking a Mortgage you may wish to commission a Valuation Report to ensure that the purchase price is reasonable and that any major defects are identified by the Valuer. |
| Valuations are also required during Matrimonial Disputes, for Tax Purposes, and Probate. Surveyline Surveyors are fully qualified to carry out these Valuations. |
Homebuyer Reports |
| These are also known as The RICS Homebuyer Survey and Valuation or HSV.The Report provides the Surveyors opinion of those matters which are urgent or significant and need action or evaluation by the Client. It includes urgent repairs for which the Client should obtain quotations prior to exchange of contracts. These can include gas leaks or defective chimney stacks for example. |
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 include replacement of a flat roof cover within a short period. |
Matters not considered significant or urgent are outside the scope of an HSV and will not be reported although Surveyors sometimes give useful advice within the report on other aspects noted during the inspection. |
The Report is usually in a standard format and will include a Valuation and a Reinstatement cost for Buildings Insurance purposes. |
The HSV is mainly suitable for houses of conventional design without major alterations or extensions. Older properties or those which have been altered or extended are more suited to a Building Survey. |
Building Surveys |
| The Building Survey used to be called a Structural Survey and is the most detailed of the three reports. There is no standard form but all Surveyors have developed their own detailed report format. The Surveyor will examine and report on Chimney Pots and Stacks, the Roof Cover, Soffits and Fascias, Gutters and Downpipes and look at all External Walls to see if there is any current evidence of settlement or subsidence. |
The surveyor will examine Windows and external Timbers and endeavour to identify a Damp Proof Course. He will lift Inspection Chambers to examine the Drain Runs,advising on the necessity or otherwise of a drains test if there is visual evidence withinthe inspection chamber or around it , or on the Building, of drainage problems. |
 The surveyor will also examine the Site, identifying any visually apparent problems with the Boundaries. He will also advise if he considers that Trees represent a threat to the stability of the Building. |
Inside the property the Surveyor will go into the loft, if access is available, to inspect the structure of the Roof, the Insulation, any Water Installation and examine Chimney Stacks, checking if there is adequate support. The composition of Ceilings may be noted together with the condition of any wiring found within the loft. |
The Surveyor will then examine the underside of the Ceilings and check for signs of movement which may indicate roof spread, and then inspect all Internal Walls to see if there are any signs of Settlement or Subsidence. The Surveyor may recommend immediate remedial action, or monitoring of cracks within internal and external walls . |
 indication of whether subfloor timbers, which are not usually inspected where there are fixed floorcoverings, or if floorboarding has not been lifted, are at risk from dry or wet rot problems. |
The Surveyor will then inspect Timbers, Plumbing, Electrics and Heating. If there are obvious problems here he may recommend specialist reports. The report may culminate with a Schedule of Repairs on a separate page which you can hand to a Building Contractor to obtain a quotation for any works necessary before you exchange Contracts on the property. |
The Building Survey can include a Valuation on the property, and a reinstatement value. Your Surveyline surveyor will discuss these options. |
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East, Failsworth, Manchester, Lanc's. Tel:0161 682 1001 Fax:
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