Residential Property Surveys for Buyers

Buying a property is a large investment and you want to ensure that it is a sound one.

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Having a residential property survey completed on your potential property purchase will ensure that you can make an informed decision before committing to making a purchase.

We are trusted experts in residential surveying solutions. We offer a full range of residential surveying services, whether it’s a basic valuation, a more detailed building survey or specialist work such as a probate valuation or a leasehold extension.

Why choose Stirling Ackroyd Chartered Surveyors?

Established, Experienced, Membership, Reputable, Quality, Vision.

Our carefully structured Central Support Team are available to guide you through the entire property surveying process, ensuring you are kept informed at every stage and that commitments within Service Level Agreements are met. Internal audit procedures ensure Surveyors and the Client Services Team are delivering a professional and consistent service at all times.

Stirling Ackroyd property surveying specialists are highly experienced individuals who have detailed local knowledge of the areas in which they operate. They are all experts in residential valuations and surveys but individually possess an additional specialist skill set, some of these include:

  • Houses of Multiple Occupancy
  • Buy-to-Let
  • Leasehold Extensions
  • Freehold Purchase
  • Building Surveys
  • Boundary Disputes
  • Capital Gains Tax
  • Probate Valuations

Advice you can trust

Our reputation is built on a long history of credibility and accountability. The team is RICS regulated, ISO9001 approved and will always act in your best interests. You can rest-assured that the information they provide is an honest, independent and detailed appraisal of the condition of your potential purchase.

It is important to choose a property survey based on the condition of the property itself, not the cost of the survey. Our RICS regulated chartered surveyor will help you decide which level of survey is most suitable for your potential property purchase.

Valuation

A valuation gives you an outline of the general condition of a property together with our assessment of value. A valuation is required if borrowing from a lender, refinancing or just looking for an expert written valuation. This is not a survey, but an assessment of the value security of the property for the benefit of the lender.

RICS HomeBuyer Report

The RICS HomeBuyer Report is suitable for residential properties, including flats, apartments, houses or bungalows which appear to be in reasonable condition. It is not recommended for properties that may need extensive work, is listed or of unusual construction.

The RICS regulated HomeBuyer report is a surveying service carried out in a standard report format. It uses a ‘traffic light system’ to detail how urgent each matter is. To have a full understanding of the condition of your potential new property, having a survey carried out is highly recommended.

It is primarily designed for houses and flats built within the last 175 years to a traditional style. Having a HomeBuyer Report can assist a buyer with making an informed decision about buying a property and play a vital part in any negotiations that may be necessary.

The HomeBuyer Report focuses on major and urgent matters including:

  • The general condition of the property
  • Any major faults
  • Urgent and significant matters that need assessing before exchange of contracts including recommendations for specialist inspections
  • Wall dampness tests and results
  • Comments on damaged timbers including woodworm and rot
  • Recommended rebuilding cost for insurance purposes
  • The value of the property on the open market

RICS Building Survey

A RICS Building Survey is a better option if you are considering purchasing a property that is listed, of unconventional construction, in need of renovation or major works. You will receive a detailed report to give you a good understanding of the condition of the property prior to committing to the purchase.

To have a full understanding of the condition of your potential new property, having a property building survey carried out is highly recommended. A RICS Building Survey is a more thorough report and provides detailed advice in relation to any issues. Unlike a HomeBuyer Report, a Building Survey does not include a valuation, however this can be provided for an additional fee.

Most importantly, a Building Survey will uncover any defects, diagnose the cause and if required include estimates and further recommendations to remedy any issues.

They are suitable for all types of residential property and specialise in:

  • Older houses built before 1850
  • Listed properties
  • Property of non-traditional construction regardless of its age
  • Properties that have been substantially extended and altered

A RICS HomeBuyer report will include details of:

  • Major and minor faults
  • The implication of faults and a diagnosis of the cause
  • Results of testing for damp
  • Comments on damaged timbers including woodworm and rot
  • Details of the construction of the building
  • Information on the location
  • Details requiring further legal investigations

The complete surveying solution

If you’d like to test our knowledge directly, or discuss any aspect of our service, call us today to speak to one of our team.

We also offer a number of other specialist property services through our wider team. Contact your local branch today for more information about the following: