Surveys
Home Surveys
Your home is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you make, so it is wise to know as much as you can about the property before you buy it, live in it and perhaps sell it. When it comes to getting a survey done it’s important to find the right advice, Frazers Surveyors have over 35 years experience on all types of residential properties.
Different properties require different types of survey. The appropriate level of survey will in most cases depend on the age, size, condition, complexity and originality of the property. Our Office Team and Surveyors can advise you on the most appropriate survey for your purchase and will provide clear information on what is included in each survey.
Our Surveyors conduct an in-depth visual inspection of the property to provide you with a written expert report of the property’s condition, highlighting any problems in a clear and easy-to-understand way. All of our Surveyors are RICS members and our surveys are conducted in accordance with the RICS Home Survey Standard.
Home Survey – Level 2 Survey
RICS Home Survey – Level 2 (formerly RICS Homebuyers Survey report) is an intermediate level of service for clients seeking a more in-depth professional opinion.
The focus of this service is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property.
Includes an extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but without tests. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected, if it is safe to do so, (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars).
Using a clear & easy to understand ‘Traffic Light’ system to rate individual elements of the property which may affect its value, highlighting any areas of concern and how urgently they need repairing.
At this level, although it is concise, the report includes advice about repairs and any ongoing maintenance issues. It is less comprehensive than a level three service.
This service aims to give you professional advice to:
- Make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property
- Take into account any repairs or replacements the property needs and
- Consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchasing the property.
Home Survey – Level 2 Survey with Valuation
RICS Home Survey – Level 2 survey & valuation (formerly RICS Homebuyers Survey report) is an intermediate level of service for clients seeking a more in-depth professional opinion.
The focus of this service is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property and provide a valuation.
It includes an extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but without tests. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected, if it is safe to do so, (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars).
Using a clear & easy to understand ‘Traffic Light’ system to rate individual elements of the property which may affect its value, highlighting any areas of concern and how urgently they need repairing.
At this level, although it is concise, the report includes advice about repairs and any ongoing maintenance issues. It is less comprehensive than a level three service.
The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 (survey and valuation) service includes:
- A physical inspection of the property
- A report based on the inspection and
- A valuation, which is part of the report
This service aims to give you professional advice to:
- Make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property
- Make an informed decision on what is a reasonable price to pay for the property
- Take into account any repairs or replacements the property needs, and
- Consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchasing property.
Home Survey – Level 3 Survey
Home Survey – Level 3 (formerly RICS Building Survey) is a detailed assessment of the property and is ideal for very large, older or more complicated properties.
The service consists of a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds, and is more extensive than a level 2 service.
Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected, if it is safe to do so, (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation (season / operation depending).
The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property.
This service aims to give you professional advice to:
- Help you make a reasoned and informed decision when purchasing the property, or when planning for repairs, maintenance or upgrading the property
- Provide detailed advice on condition
- Describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects
- Propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection and
- Where practicable and agreed, provide an estimate of costs and likely timescale for identified repairs and necessary work.
Survey FAQ
At Frazers Surveyors Ltd, our dedicated team combines years of experience with a personal touch to deliver top-notch surveying services.
What is the purpose of a Home Survey?
To establish that the house is structurally sound and advise you of current and potential defects and whether they are expensive, serious, common or to be expected with this type of property.
What is the difference between a Level 2 and Level 3 report?
At the property very little, as the inspection is as detailed for both Surveys. Both reports cover the same areas but Level 2 reports are a briefer document on pre-printed forms and a Level 2 Survey & Valuation report includes a valuation. A Level 3 is a more detailed and in-depth report and includes a photographic schedule of defects. A valuation can be provided as an additional service to the Level 3 survey.
Can you add a valuation onto a Level 2 Survey?
Yes, we offer RICS Home Survey – Level 2 Survey and Valuation reports and a valuation can be added to our Level 3 Survey reports. Please discuss your requirements with our team and they can provide a quote for this service.
I have had a Mortgage Valuation and therefore why should I go to the expense of an additional Survey?
This is like asking a Doctor to confirm you are fit and well without giving you a thorough examination. You may look reasonably well but your Doctor could not guarantee it nor is an Insurance Company likely to accept the situation without further investigations. You are buying a home, which normally represents the largest investment of your life. Are you prepared to proceed with inadequate information, advice, and consequently your eyes only partially open?
How long does the Survey take and what does it involve?
The length of the inspection and report depends very much on the property itself. All accessible parts are inspected and obviously if we suspect problems in other areas, either visible or not, we would warn of these and recommend further investigations.
Remember, we have extensive experience of all types of construction and properties together with their associated problems. We are not only providing the report itself but also extensive professional experience.
How much will a survey cost?
Our fee often represents less than half a percent of the proposed purchase price. The fee does however depend on the likely time taken on the Survey and Report and therefore depends on the age and size of the property. Obviously the older and larger the property, the more expensive the Survey. In order to gain an accurate assessment as to our likely Survey fees, please contact us and we will be able to advise you on both the cost of a Level 3 and Level 2 Report.
Remember, we have extensive experience of all types of construction and properties together with their associated problems. We are not only providing the report itself but also extensive professional experience.
How quickly can you report?
We aim to report within seven working days of inspecting the property but in urgent cases this can be considerably reduced. The speed of our survey does often depend upon our ability to gain access to the property which can in some instances cause delays. We would obviously recommend that urgent instructions are avoided, where at all possible, as this can sometimes cause problems for all concerned.
Remember, we have extensive experience of all types of construction and properties together with their associated problems. We are not only providing the report itself but also extensive professional experience.