Home Buyers Survey in Deeside

Is it best to go for a RICS Level 2 Survey, Full Structural Survey or RICS Level 3 Survey on a house in Deeside and which one would be the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey has been updated to a RICS Level 3 Survey and is essentially the same level of survey.

If the Deeside property is a flat, or is over 100 years old, or has been structurally modified, or is built of unusual materials, then RICS recommend a cheaper RICS Level 2 Survey.

If you are planning to do any substantial modifications, RICS advise you book a RICS Level 3 Survey. This option is less cheap, however it does offer comprehensive details of the Deeside property's condition as well as including information on defects as well as maintenance options .

If in doubt get a Deeside Survey Quote on our website or call 0800 022 4428 to speak to a member of our team.

As well as reporting on condition, will I get a valuation and reinstatement cost estimate (including costs for professional fees) and what does it include?

A RICS Level 2 Survey on a Deeside building will include a (registered valuer) surveyor valuation and also a reinstatement (rebuilding) cost estimate as an integral part of the report. To fully consider the property's value your independent surveyor will use knowledge of Deeside and other factors relating to the property for instance: state of repair Your Deeside surveyor will also consider construction type and will draw upon other assumptions e.g. there being no serious defects. Surveyors disregard things like furnishings.

Additional local Deeside area conjectures, for example service connections, are made in addition to environmental concerns like brine mining activity, also being considered.

A RICS Level 3 Survey won't include a valuation as standard. A valuation can, however, be added for a nominal fee. Please call for information. Alternatively a Property Valuation Report (PVR) can be carried out.

What's the danger of flooding in Deeside. Can a RICS Level 2 Survey check indications of water damage?

Flooding has become a serious concern, more so after it was reported that last year was the second wettest on record (source: ITN), and it is not clear that reasonably-priced flooding insurance will be available in years to come. It is easily possible to assess whether a house is susceptible to flooding via any of a number of routes, and a property surveyor will advise on repairs or preventative measures. Section J of the survey report contains details, where applicable, of flooding risks found within the boundaries of the property or on adjacent sites. Oral enquiries can sometimes be made of the vendor, but this information may not be accurate.

What is subsidence? Is this a urgent danger, and what can be done to remedy subsidence if subsidence is found during the RICS Level 2 Survey?

Subsidence is movement in a home's foundations. In the majority of cases, subsidence can be corrected. Generally, a builder will return to a new home after six months in order to make repairs.

Subsidence results from a range of factors. One such issue is that soil on ground which slopes downward is not as stable as that sitting on horizontal ground. In very wet or flooded conditions, the soil layer could then become unsteady and begin to slide downward. In extreme weather conditions, movement can worsen, leading to subsidence, but this is not generally an issue in the UK.

Identifying the cause of subsidence is the first step to its solution.This need not be expensive.Though tree roots are often the cause, removal of this plant life may make the problem worse, so professional advice should be sought. In some more serious situations, underpinning may be necessary. Underpinning is a lengthy process used to stabilise the foundations of a property, and is required in around a quarter of subsidence matters. If the surveyor cannot give you a conclusive diagnosis, they will recommend that you engage the services of a structural engineer.