Home Buyers Survey in St Lukes

Should I have a Full Structural Survey, Building Survey or HomeBuyer Report for a home in St Lukes and which one would be the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey has been renamed by RICS as a Building Survey, however it is essentially the same survey.

If the St Lukes property is an apartment, or is a period property, or has been extended or modified, or is of non standard construction, RICS recommend the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to make alterations, you should you opt for a Building Survey. This survey is not as cheap but it will offer comprehensive details of the St Lukes property's general condition and it includes more detailed advice on defects and maintenance options .

For more information get an instant St Lukes Home Survey Quote online or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to one of our advisers.

We are buying a residence in St Lukes, does the chartered surveyor look for possible flood damage, or whether flooding has affected nearby homes?

Burst dams, tidal activity and inadequate drainage could all cause major flooding damage and the value of a property can decrease if in an exposed area, even if it has never flooded.

Your RICS surveyor may use several methods to determine if the property in question is in danger. Flood water can enter a residential property through a number of routes, including air bricks, poorly fitted doors and windows, and seepage through external walls. Less expensive preventative measures include the installation of air brick covers. The Environment Agency also publish details of previous flood warnings.

According to the Environment Agency, no flood alerts were found for St Lukes.

*Data correct 04/01/13

We are purchasing a cottage. What effect will the wooden structure have on maintenance?

For houses in St Lukes built before the 20th Century, age can concern buyers. St Lukes property constructed with traditional or "vernacular" techniques can be difficult to maintain. You should consider that specialist knowledge may be needed. Traditional building materials may also need to be sourced, particularly in the case of , for example, a Grade II listed house. This may mean expensive ongoing repairs.

Does a Building survey in St Lukes include a valuation and cost of rebuild estimate (including the cost of rebuilding a retaining wall) and what does it include?

Homebuyer Reports include a (registered valuer) surveyor valuation and also a rebuilding cost as an integral part of the report. To work out an accurate value estimate the valuer will pair area knowledge and other things relating to the property for instance: state of repair The RICS surveyor will also consider style of architecture and make certain key assumptions such as there being no serious defects.

A Building Survey won't include a valuation as standard. A valuation can, however, be added for a nominal fee by request. Alternatively a Property Valuation Report (PVR) can be carried out.

It will be assumed that there are no expensive legal problems such as access to the property over estate roadways. These will be investigated by your legal representative.

Additional local area assumptions, like water and drainage connectivity, are made in addition to environmental issues like brine mining activity, also being considered.

Does a chartered surveyor examine the safety of the gas installations?

The chartered surveyor will visually inspect any accessible parts of the system. The survey will include whether the mains is connected for instance, in addition to gas affiliated fixtures like balanced flues. However, the St Lukes qualified surveyor will not remove any fittings nor will the surveyor run any tests of any kind on the system or appliances. Gas is potentially hazardous, should there be any worries about gas, call a gas engineer.

A house we intend to buy is built on clay soil. Can my HomeBuyer Report consider this?

The adverse impact clay soil can have on a property can be significant. Subsidence is a major concern, but there are others, including shrinking of clay soil. Buyers should be vigilant for signs of clay soil subsidence or heave. Expansive clay soil can put lateral pressure on a property's foundations, forcing them inward. Where the foundation walls have insufficient support, they will bow and crack. This can result in costly and even dangerous structural damage.

Taking precautions, such as after flooding or heavy rain, checking for standing water around the building, can make long term maintenance easier, and keep repair costs manageable. In some more extreme cases, the building foundations may need extra support, but this can be costly.