The Survey in Detail
Pre Inspection
Before inspecting the property, the surveyor conducts desktop research covering local and environmental searches including:
- Coal authority / mining records
- Flood Risk map
- Geology Soil
- Noise and Air map
- Historical land map
- Radon Gas map
- Water Hardness
The surveyor will use these data resources to outline any potential issues that need to be further investigated by your conveyancer/ solicitor handling your property purchase.
Condition Ratings
The Survey Report will breakdown the property into sections reporting on materials, structure type, condition, identified defects and how to put them right. The survey will be structured with a red, amber and green light condition rating system to help you understand the severity of all defects and issues found during the inspection.
- Green implies that no repairs are required and that the subject is of satisfactory standard/ condition and normal maintenance should be continued.
- Amber advises that repairs and or replacements will be required soon but are not considered urgent.
- Red highlights serious defects or conditions that are a high risk to the property and or people that should be acted upon immediately.
The Inspection
The survey is a non-invasive inspection which means the surveyor can not dismantle/ undo the materials or fixtures and fittings in the property. For example, lifting fitted floor coverings such as carpets, vinyl flooring, etc or fixed panels to expose electrical systems, water systems, and or wastewater plumbing.
The surveyor will start the survey externally and will inspect the fabrics of the building from ground level using a ladder where necessary to inspect areas or roof coverings not directly visible as long as they do not exceed the 3-meter health and safety height restriction. It is possible that the surveyor will be restricted from viewing certain aspects of the property due to neighbouring properties or boundaries limiting our viewpoints. Any limitations externally or internally to the inspection will be recorded in the report for you to oversee.
Roof Void
When accessing roof spaces, the surveyor will do their up most to see they have inspected the space/ structure to the best of their ability, however, it is important to understand that the surveyor is at liberty to conduct a risk assessment of the roof space in regards of accessibility ensuring their own safety. It is often that a head and shoulder inspection will be necessary if ceiling joists are covered with insulation and or other occupier belongings.
Services
Electric, gas, and water service systems are mostly built-in to the fabrication of property and therefore cannot be inspected as full working systems. The surveyor will, however, be able to comment on the condition of the visible parts of the systems such as light fittings, switches, power sockets, radiators, TRVs (temperature radiator valves), visible heat water piping, freshwater pipes, and visible wastewater plumbing. Due to the mandatory protocol in regards to ‘new owners occupancy’, you should expect the gas and electrical services in the report to have a ‘RED’ condition rating even if they have valid safety test certificates and or display no visible signs of defect. This is to ensure the systems are safe and have not been tampered with after any previously documented safety checks.
Outside
The surveyor will end with the site visit by inspecting the outside grounds/ gardens or common areas of the property including boundary walls, fences, paved walkways, shared accesses, waste inspection chambers, and any permanent outbuildings belonging to the property including extended connected services such as electricity.
Post Inspection
After the inspection, the surveyor will head back to the office and will begin completing your report from their research and recorded inspection; including all of the surveyors recommendations. We always aim to get your report to you in two working days following the date of inspection.
Phone Call
Once you have had time to read the report, we will contact you to arrange a telephone conversation to discuss the report in finer detail, giving you the opportunity to ask any questions.