A Building Survey is a comprehensive inspection of a property and is suitable for all properties. Buyers who are seeking to purchase listed buildings, older properties, unusually constructed buildings or properties that have had extensive alterations, should definitely consider paying for a Chartered Surveyor to conduct a Building Survey.

A Building Survey examines all accessible parts of a property and if you want to have specific areas included that you are concerned about, you can ask the Chartered Surveyor to incorporate them into the survey. A Building Survey includes the following details:

• Faults both major and minor and what they could mean in the property’s future.
• The possible cost of repairs that may need to be made.
• Results of damp testing conducted on the walls of the property.
• Any damage to the timbers of the property, including woodworm and rot.
• The condition of any damp-proofing in the property.
• The condition of the insulation in the property.
• The general condition of the drainage, although the drains are not tested in detail by the Chartered Surveyor unless requested by the buyer.
• Technical information on the construction of the property and the materials used.
• Location information.
• Recommendations for any further special inspections that may need to be made to the property before purchasing.

Please note that Building Surveys do not include a property valuation. However, your Chartered Surveyor can provide this valuation separately if required to do so by you.

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Information

If you are uncertain about which type of survey you require or you have particular concerns about a property that you are interested in purchasing, then you can talk to a RICS member or access reports from the RICS website.

A RICS member will be happy to discuss any particular concerns you may have in more detail and they can help you to decide which survey is best suited to your needs. The RICS survey reports are completely independent and are designed to help you to make a more informed decision about a property you are interested in purchasing.

The RICS requires all of its members to agree terms and conditions with a client before a contract is signed and a service is carried out. The Chartered Surveyor is also obliged to include a fee or the method for calculation of their fee in these terms and conditions. This process therefore reduces the likelihood of any surprises for either the client or the Chartered Surveyor with regard to fees.

If you do have a complaint about a Chartered Surveyor, the RICS has a redress system in place. Please see their website for more information.