Home Buyers Survey in St Andrews

Should I choose a RICS Level 2 Survey, RICS Level 3 Survey or Full Structural Survey for a house in St Andrews and which one is cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey has been renamed by RICS as a RICS Level 3 Survey, however it is effectively the same survey.

If the St Andrews property is a flat or maisonette, or is a period property, or has been extended or modified, or is of non standard construction, RICS advise the cheaper RICS Level 2 Survey.

If you are thinking about whether to carry out significant alterations, RICS advise you go for a RICS Level 3 Survey. This survey is less cheap but it will provide you with a thorough analysis of the St Andrews property's condition in addition to information on defects and maintenance options .

For more detailed advice get a St Andrews House Survey Quote on our website or call us 0800 022 4428 to speak to our survey team.

Would our home surveyor search for indications of flood damage, or whether flooding has affected neighbour's houses?

Flooding has become a serious concern, more so after it was reported that last year was the second wettest on record (source: The Guardian). Both purchasers and home owners in areas at risk of flooding are right to be worried. A flood risk alert service, with regular updates, is operated by the Environment Agency, and a property surveyor will advise on repairs or preventative measures.

Preventative measures can include costly but effective solutions e.g. the use of lime-based plaster on walls. Also included on Environment Agency's flood risk alert are details of local rivers and other bodies of water prone to flooding.

According to the Environment Agency, no flood warnings were found for St Andrews.

*04/01/2013

What sort of thing will a St Andrews Surveyor consider on a stucco coated home in St Andrews that we intend to purchase.

Stucco is actually a type of render. Commonly stucco is applied to brick that sets to a flat surface, often then trowled to give the appearance of stone blocks. It is very grand in appearance and is common on some Regency properties. Stucco is often problematic and Surveyors in St Andrews commonly focus on issues for example, water trapped under paint. Other potential problems may be when dampness beneath DPCs that causes the render detaching. Fixing problems can be difficult and costly as the skills are becoming harder to find.

We have learnt that St Andrews property built on clay soil can experience problems. Can we expect the St Andrews RICS Level 2 Survey to mention this, and what defects will be reported on?

A common source of queries that surveyors face from home buyers is subsidence, particularly in areas where the soil is rich in clay. Specific issues include swelling of the soil. The composition of clay soil varies greatly, with some areas being more susceptible to clay soil subsidence than others, but the effects can be very similar. .

If present, expansive clay soil can put lateral pressure on a St Andrews property's foundations, leading to bowing, cracks and severe structural damage. A St Andrews surveyor will take into account and clay soil related concerns, and advise accordingly. 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.