The importance of home surveys

When buying a new home, you should arrange for an inspection of the property survey to be carried out by a qualified surveyor. Surveyors take an impartial view when inspecting a home, which alongside their wealth of skills and experience, make it more like that they will be able to spot problems a buyer may not notice. While the average home buyer spends 35 minutes viewing a potential property before deciding whether or not to purchase it, our surveyors will spend a minimum of two hours inspecting the property (depending on the size). Our surveyors will also go in areas which you may not visit before moving in, such as the attic!

But what does a surveyor actually look for when inspecting your potential new home? 

Areas of inspection during a house survey

If applicable and accessible, a surveyor will check the construction and condition of the following elements:

Externally

  • Pitched and flat roof coverings, including ridge and hip tiles, valley and parapet gutters, upstands and flashings. A ladder will be used to inspect roofs not more than 3 metres above ground level. 
  • Chimney stacks, including pots, masonry and flashings
  • Rainwater goods, including gutters, downpipes and brackets.
  • Main walls, including thickness, masonry, pointing, damp proof course, sub-floor ventilation, evidence of wall tie failure or structural movement
  • External joinery, including fascias, soffits and bargeboards.
  • Windows and doors, including frames and glazing units. A sample will be opened to check their operation.
  • Conservatories and porches, to check the general condition of roofs, glazing, doors, evidence of possible breach of building regulations.
  • Garages and other permanent outbuildings, to check the general condition of roofs, walls, windows and doors. 
  • Grounds and boundaries, to check the general condition of driveways, patios, steps, walls and fences, water features, evidence of Japanese Knotweed, proximity of trees.

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Call us on 0345 200 2046