Not unlike the HomeBuyer Report, a building survey is generally one of the most comprehensible surveys you can acquire when you are buying a new home. However, A building survey is often more accommodating to older and more unique properties and the report is far more extensive in detail and inspection, as it also includes inspections of places which are hard to reach.
A Level 3 Building Survey can sometimes be misunderstood as a structural survey. It is important to note that a building survey is a report which will detail the property’s defects and causes and how soon in which they need to be tended to, often it will also include potential costs for the required repairs/ replacements.
What is a Level 3 RCIS Building Survey?
The Level 3 RCIS Building Survey offers a look at the condition of the entire property. This will include picture evidence of defects, repairs/ replacements which may need to be carried out and potential costs that this might involve. The information gathered by our expert surveyors will be laid out clearly so you can easily understand the findings and recommended next steps to take.
You can expect to need this type of report when the building has a unique construction or structure, if it has been poorly kept and maintained or if it had been converted extensively. It is possible to tailor a Level 3 Home Survey to cover specific parts of the house you may be more concerned about than others.
It is greatly beneficial to have this report on an old or unusual building as it can allow you to make an informed and certain decision about the next steps in your buying process. This report is also significantly beneficial for property developers who are hoping to expand, sell or rent out a building for a profit.
The survey will ensure that a close inspection of the internal and external aspects of the building is conducted by the surveyor. Including inspections of floors, windows, doors, roofs and so on. This will assure that your report is extensively detailed and informed.
The surveyor’s terms and conditions will confirm this once you have provided the go-ahead to complete the inspection for the survey. Our expert surveyors will assuredly consider any specific worries you may have and take care to cover them in good detail in the final report.
The main things the surveyor may look for includes:
Check for defects that could potentially be serious
Scan property for hazardous materials such as asbestos
Examine property for any signs of damp within walls
Highlight any structural work done without permission
Find out what material the property is made from
Check for any damage to the roof or structural timbers
Assess any threatening trees near the property
Recommend solution for any areas of concerns
The checks can include, but are not limited to, the following
Internally:
Woodworm and rot
Dampness and condensation
Ceilings
Walls and floors
Chimney breasts and joinery
Externally:
Roof space: Full inspection of the roof
Chimneys
Gutters
Main walls
Windows and doors
Drainage and boundaries
Other:
Garages
Conservatories
Tenure
Services
A valuation is not included but can be requested for an additional charge.*
The Building Survey can be used on any type of building. Due to its extensive attention to detail, it generally works best for properties which are up to 50 years old or properties which have clear defects that need closer inspection.
If you are considering buying a house without building regulations approval, we strongly advise that you choose the Level 3 Building Survey. This is because of the detail involved in this inspection and the cost compared to other options you may be faced with.
Here are some examples of when you might need a Building Survey:
Historically unique or listed properties
Older than 50 years
Unconventional or uniquely built, such as steel frame houses or PRC properties
Within conservation areas
Have had or plan to have renovation work
Are in bad condition
A survey such as the Homebuyers is generally better suited to homes which aren’t 50+ years of age. It will still cover any areas which may be of concern, however, it will be at a much lower cost.
For new builds, it is advised that you get a snagging report as new builds will not have long-term structural problems.
How Long Does A Building Survey Take?
A written report can take three to seven days to write up once an initial building survey, which takes up to four to eight hours to do, is completed. The completion time will depend upon the property’s size and available access. Listed below is what exactly goes into a Building Survey.
Booking the survey
Once you have had your offer accepted, you should then book a survey to be done on your property. The survey can be used to renegotiate the offer price if there is any significant work required to be done on the property.
Before the surveyor goes to the property to complete the survey, assure that you have communicated with them about what access they will need to assure that you can get the most out of the inspection. This will assure that all areas relevant to the survey can be reached safely and with ease. For example, if the property has a loft, it would be great to assist the surveyor with a ladder which is safe and functional.
On the day of the survey
Small properties tend to take between 2 to 4 hours to have a survey completed, whereas larger properties can be expected to take 5 to 8 hours. The size of a property should be taken into consideration when it comes to the duration of time it takes to complete a building survey.
When will you receive
the report?
You can expect to receive your Building Survey report via email, three to seven working days following the completion of the inspection. Please take into consideration that the time can vary depending on the size and accessibility of the property. If you would prefer to receive the report by post, this can be requested although it will include an extra charge.
Once the inspection is completed on your property, your surveyor will likely be able to estimate how long you should expect to wait before receiving the report. You are welcome to email your surveyor following the inspection for updates and progress tracking, should you feel you need to.
Building Surveys use a clear traffic light code to make it easy to understand. Areas of concern which may require immediate attention will be highlighted in the report. Do not expect to receive a bunch of complicated and confusing jargon, we will be clear, and concise.
The building survey differs from the Homebuyers survey as it goes into much more detail. The building survey will not only cover a larger scope of your home, but it will provide you with expert guidance on what to expect regarding the cost of maintenance and repairs the property may require. You might find this significantly helpful in renegotiating the property’s price.
HomeBuyer Report vs Building Survey
When it comes to finding the right survey for the home you are hoping to buy, there are two main surveys- The Building Survey (Level 3) and The HomeBuyer Survey (Level 2). Below we have compared them to help assist you in choosing the survey which is right for you:
Building Survey (Level 3 Survey)
Pros
Older Homes, suffer possible structural problems and are unique in the way they have been built.
Close attention to detail, covering large portions of the home including areas considered difficult to reach.
The survey is conducted with a hands-on approach and is very comprehensive.
Includes estimated costs and timelines for maintenance and repairs.
Helpful for buyers hoping to convert or extend the property.
Cons
The survey can take up to a day to complete, depending on the size of the property.
This survey is the most expensive.
HomeBuyer Survey (Level 2 Survey)
Pros
This survey is relevant for a large variety of homes.
The general condition of the building will be assessed and from that, common areas for concern will be highlighted.
Much lower cost than the Building Survey.
Cons
Less attention to detail, inspecting is quite basic, and easily accessible areas.
Under carpets and drains are not assessed under this survey.
What our Customers say
Naeem Dudhiya
Opted to go for House Smart Surveying for my full home buyers survey and I can confirm they did not disappoint. From booking in the survey right to receiving the survey report they were professional, reliable and helpful with the info.
Waseem Nabi
I asked House Smart to complete a survey for us and it was very detailed and carried out professionally. Many thanks guys and we highly recommend your services.
