Residential Building Surveys and Services

Your home is the biggest investment you’re ever likely to make, so you want to ensure it’s protected, legally compliant, with the right understanding of its condition and that there is nothing that puts you at risk.

As a homeowner there are many different occasions when you may need the services of a qualified building surveyor. When buying, when extending or altering, if a neighbour is extending or altering, if you purchase adjoining land and so on.

Reports, for Peace of Mind When Buying a Home

When buying a home there are several reports available to you. As a consultancy we don’t complete valuation reports for mortgage needs, there are plenty of businesses that are set up to provide specifically that service at very reasonable fees.

The reporting we’re called on for most is when the buyer wants a greater level of information and analysis as many of the reports we complete for our clients contain far more detail than most.

There are some fairly simple reports, when buying a new build for example, the buyer may want a condition report so that they can be sure that their new home is in good order.

General Home Buyers Reports are reasonably thorough, though not highly detailed, they are an assessment based upon visual inspection and condition and will include reporting on anything adverse noted during the survey, backed up with photographs.

The Highly Detailed Building Surveys are being sought more and more, particularly for higher value properties and definitely if the property has been extended or altered in any way. A detailed assessment is made of the property, compliance with regulations and certification are checked with any defects found being traced back and analysed with estimates for repairs included. This is a very bespoke, detailed report with images and photographs included.

Party Wall Agreements

A party wall agreement is often needed when a property is being extended and there is an adjoining or neighbouring property. This is a legal process which exists to protect both yours and your neighbours interests. A Party Wall Agreement is designed to make the project run as smoothly as possible, to avoid stress, anxiety and misunderstanding. When completed effectively it provides clarity for all a involved.

Land Registry Compliant Drawings

When existing land is being split up, perhaps to sell for development or for another dwelling Land Registry Compliant Drawings are a big advantage. Again they are a legal title, so if there’s existing land which you own but perhaps doesn’t appear on the Land Registry … which can happen often, particularly with older properties, Land Registry Compliant Drawings set everything down in black and white.

Land Registry Lease Plans

A property portfolio is something owned by many these days and, as a Landlord, Land Registry Lease Plans are a very useful legal tool to have. They show the detail of exactly what is being leased or rented. If it’s a flat or apartment the plans show the entire block, detailing ownership, highlighting communal areas and giving clarity to all.