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The report includes everything from a Condition report; the property condition, any risks or urgent defects and any apparent potential legal concerns. In addition, the HomeBuyer reports includes advice on any hidden defects that can result in the property needing ongoing maintenance or future repairs, internally and externally. This can include damp or any structural problems.
Home Buyer reports come with the option to include a property valuation, as well as an insurance rebuild cost estimate.
Simply request your quote using our contact form or by phone. Our customer care team will quickly get in touch during opening hours.
We will arrange an appointment with you, carry out the survey, and once completed send you an invoice.
As soon as we receive payment of the invoice, we will email your HomeBuyer Report. We also offer corporate accounts, with survey delivery on completion and monthly billing.
The report will outline the condition of a range of different building sections, garages and outbuildings as well as advice on managing any defects. This is presented using a condition rating for various elements of the property. Condition rating 3 highlights serious defects that need urgent attention. Condition rating 2 highlights defects that need addressing but are not considered serious or urgent. Condition rating 1 notes that no repair is currently required. Condition 2 and 1 will come with the caveat that the property must be maintained in the normal way.
If a valuation is requested with the HomeBuyer report, the surveyor will include an estimate of the market value of the property. The surveyor will make some assumptions about the property’s materials, construction, services, fixtures and fittings to reach the valuation. It will also take into account some legal matters, such as the condition, current and intended use of the property, and covenants and easements that may be in place. Lastly, the surveyor will include a reinstatement cost which describes the cost of rebuilding the type and style of property inspected. The reinstatement cost will take into account its existing standard, but rebuilding with modern materials and techniques to current building regulation standards.
The reinstatement cost is a good indicator of how much building insurance would be required for the property. The valuation estimate can be used to negotiate a lower asking price, if you are a potential buyer. If you choose a HomeBuyer report with no valuation, the reports advice about ongoing maintenance and repairs can also be used to negotiate a lower asking price.
The advantage of a HomeBuyer report over a Condition report is the option to include a valuation and the advice on repairs and maintenance highlighted by any defects found.
Homebuyer Reports are more complex that Condition Reports and take around 1.5 - 2.5 hours to survey on site for an average sized recently built dwelling. Properties that are much older or more complex, with extensions or loft conversions may take longer. In many cases a Building Survey is more appropriate for this type of property. The surveyor carrying out the Homebuyer report survey must be a member of RICS, which shows they have the competencies required to accurately complete the report.
The Homebuyer survey process is very similar to the Condition Report process. During a Homebuyer Report survey the surveyor will also take measurements and photographs of the building. The survey is slightly more intrusive, though the surveyor still won’t take up carpets or floor boards, move furniture or take things out of cupboards, for example. In addition, the surveyor may enter the roof space itself. The surveyor may use equipment such as a torch, damp-meter or ladders if they feel suitable.
Much like the Condition Report survey, once the surveyor has inspected inside and outside of the property, they will then inspect the services to the property where accessible, including an inspection of the heating, plumbing, drainage as well as chimneys. Externally, the surveyor will survey the boundaries of the property, including walls, fences, common areas and permanent outbuildings.
Once the surveyor has completed the site visit the survey notes will be written up into the Homebuyer Report.
RICS Level 1 Condition Report - This is considered the most simple report you can get when buying a home, it’s suitable for a conventional house, flat or bungalow in good condition, or a conventional new build.
RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report - This is the next step up from a condition report and is suitable for a conventional house, flat or bungalow in good condition, or a conventional new build (like the condition report), however this report also provides advice on repairs, potential maintenance, and the option to include a valuation.
RICS Level 3 Building Survey - This survey is considered the most comprehensive of the three, it’s suitable for older, larger or otherwise non-traditional properties, as well as properties with adaptations or that are dilapidated.
RICS Valuation Report - This is an additional service that can be added onto reports and is the surveyors’ assessment of the value of a property.
The basic information we need to be able to provide you with a price for the survey is:
It is useful and may enable us to offer a cheaper quote if you are also able to provide the following information:
Once we have provided you with a quote, if you wish to go ahead and book we will also need invoicing details and contact details for whoever will be meeting us on site. We will require the payment in full before the appointment is confirmed. Once the payment has been processed, the appointment will be confirmed and the survey will take place. Our pricing includes everything, so the price we quote you is the total price you will pay.
Once we have visited the site it takes us about 5-6 working days to produce the report, at which point we will contact you to let you know it's ready and email it out to you.
Use our online booking tool to quickly get a quote for your HomeBuyer Report.
Our prices start from £299.95 + VAT, depending on size and location of the property.
A HomeBuyer survey outlines the condition of different building elements, including garages and outbuildings, and provides advice on managing any issues identified. Services such as heating, plumbing, drainage and chimneys will be inspected where accessible. External areas will be inspected such as boundaries, walls, fences and common areas.
The surveyor will not take up carpets or floor boards, move furniture or take things out of cupboards. They will enter the roof space, use damp-meters, ladders, etc. as required.
For an average size, recently built dwelling, a HomeBuyer Report will take around 1.5-2.5 hours.
Yes, valuations can be added to a HomeBuyer report on request.
It is generally the buyer who arranges and pays for the survey.
A HomeBuyer Survey:
A Building Survey:
Our prices start from £299.95 + VAT, depending on size and location of the property.
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