Why do I need a home survey?

Alcocks Nicholls Stewart provide high-quality RICS Building Surveys and Home Survey reports. Our team of RICS Chartered Surveyors are here to help you understand your chosen property. We have extensive experience of the local market and can give you an in-depth understanding of the condition of the property you’re purchasing, which will allow you to move forward with confidence.
If you’re moving home in Herefordshire and the surrounding areas a home survey can deliver all the information you need to make what is likely to be your largest financial commitment. Buying or selling a home can be a huge decision. Before you proceed, it’s worth getting expert advice from a local professional with knowledge of the local housing market, to ensure the price is right and identify any issues so you can proceed with confidence.
It is important to remember that your mortgage lender’s valuation report is not a survey. It just tells your lender whether or not the property is reasonable security for your loan. Sometimes, the valuation is done without anyone visiting the property.
Knowing what you are buying can even save you money. Your report can be used to negotiate the price of the property and will help you decide whether to proceed with the purchase.

If you are a homeowner and have concerns about particular aspects of a properties structure or condition, a specific defect survey will provide insight. You will also receive advice on remedial measures and associated costs.

If your home is covered by a shared equity scheme such as help to buy, or if you are looking to use a right to buy scheme, you will need an RICS Valuation. This will give you an independent assessment of your property’s value.

RICS Home Survey Level Two

An RICS Home Survey Level Two, once called a Homebuyer Report, provides an extensive assessment of a property’s condition, so you can be confident in proceeding with the sale or purchase. It will provide all the information covered by a valuation, along with additional advice and guidance about maintenance and any defects that may adversely affect the property’s value. A Home Survey Level Two is suitable for most standard houses, flats or bungalows in reasonable condition and made from common building materials.

RICS Building Survey Level Three

The RICS Building Survey Level Three reports are ideal for older, larger, renovated or more complex/developed properties. This level of report is the most comprehensive offered. It provides an in-depth assessment of a property’s construction and structural integrity, along with guidance on defects, remediation, and ongoing maintenance. The report can also include an estimate of repair costs as an optional extra.

Valuation

An RICS Red Book valuation involves a RICS Registered Valuer assessing the property and providing a formal report on the current market value of the property. To help calculate this market value, the valuer will look at comparable properties that have recently been sold in the same or similar area.

Valuations are provided for many reasons, for legal or matrimonial purposes, shared equity schemes, insurance reinstatement purposes etc… Our surveyors will assess the value of your property based on its age, condition, and location to help you better understand its true value. Our valuations give a good overview of the market value of a property, making them perfect for homes of any type, regardless of their age, style or condition.

What happens when you contact us to arrange a survey of a property:

When you contact us, by telephone (01432 322422), email ([email protected]) or via our website (www.alcocks-surveyors.co.uk) with an enquiry for a survey we will need the following information from you so that we can tailor our services to suit the individual property:

• Your contact details.
• The full address including the postcode of the property you are purchasing.
• The Estate Agents details.
• The market price and the price you have agreed.
• If you are aware of the age of the property this can also help us.

Once you have sent us your query, we will:

• Have a look at the property details.
• Decide on the type of survey that is relevant for the property.
• Email you a quote with an idea of timescales.

Once you have decided to instruct Alcocks Nicholls Stewart to survey the property, the following will happen:

• You will email us to accept the quote.
• We will make arrangements directly with the Agent or Vendor to carry out our inspection of the property.
• We will send you our confirmation of the appointment letter.
• One of our qualified Building Surveyors will inspect the property according to the level of survey you require.
• The surveyor will call you shortly after the survey has taken place to verbally update you on their findings.
• The report will generally take between 5 and 15 working days, depending on the size of the report.
• The report will be emailed and posted to you.
• It is important that you read through the report, we welcome your questions or queries.
• It can be helpful to forward your report to your legal adviser.