Home Buyers Survey in Petworth

Should we select a Full Structural Survey, Building Survey or HomeBuyer Report on a property in Petworth and which one is cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey is now called a Building Survey, however it is essentially the same.

If the Petworth property is an apartment, or is over 100 years old, or has been substantially modified, or is built of unusual materials, then RICS recommend the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to do any significant alterations, RICS recommend you commission a Building Survey. The Building Survey is less cheap however it does give an in-depth analysis of the Petworth property's general condition in addition to information on defects and maintenance options .

For more details get an instant Petworth Homebuyers Survey Quote on our site or call 0800 038 6667 to speak to a member of our team.

I am intending to put an offer in on a Petworth house constructed Hopton Wood stone. Which major potential issues should we consider, and will the surveyor offer any advice?

The sturdy appearance of stone walls may hide serious concerns. Defects affecting stone-built property in Petworth can vary, delaminated render being relatively common.

Stone walls are either regular (cut) or irregular in structure, each of which will provoke particular concerns. You can ask the surveyor carrying out the survey for specific advice, but common maintenance suggestions include monitoring of natural wear, watching for signs of sudden or severe change.

The sheer breadth of varying stone materials can make it difficult for purchasers to correctly identify the particular stone used in the building of a home. Quarries in Petworth should be able to supply local stone.

Is it best to go for a full structural survey prior to investing in a defective sixties cottage in Petworth?

Full Structural Surveys are now known as Building Surveys. Our advice would be to carry out the Building Survey for the house you are contemplating. The HomeBuyer Report will suffice for a post fifties Petworth property made out of standard building materials. There are some limitations exist with any residential survey as a surveyor is not able to open up the structure of the property or comment on efficiency of gas installations.

The property we plan to purchase is built on clay soil. Will a Home Buyers Survey look into this?

Soil composition can have a measurable impact on a Petworth property, with subsidence being a common example. Given the moisture content does have such a great affect of clay-rich soil, owners should be aware that defects can arise if environmental conditions change, such as sticking doors. Fortunately, there are steps a home owner can take. Your surveyor should refer to maintenance options in their report, like after flooding or heavy rain, checking for standing water around the building. If soil water levels must be kept stable, uniform spread of the moisture is also important. Your surveyor may be able to offer practical suggestions as to how this can be achieved.

Do all Petworth surveys include a valuation and an estimate of rebuild costs for insurance purposes (including additional costs such as reconstructing permanent outbuildings) and what will it include?

A Homebuyer Report will contain a valuation and will also include a "reinstatement cost" as standard. To be able to determine the value of the property your independent surveyor will refer to experience of property in Petworth as well as other factors relating to the property for instance: desirability of the location. The valuer will also consider materials used and use other assumptions such as no damaging building techniques have been employed.

A Building Survey won't include a valuation as standard. However we can add a valuation for a small additional fee. Alternatively a Property Valuation Report (PVR) can be carried out.

Further area assumptions, like connection to sewers, are made in addition to local environmental concerns like local industry, also being considered.