The key reasons to take out a property survey

When you're buying a house, you have much to think about, especially when it comes to having to fork out for various bills to get you on the path to that all-important completion date. The numbers seem to escalate very quickly as you try to maintain some sort of control over the expenditure. And one of the oft-cited scapegoats for reducing the bill by that apparently all-important few hundred pounds is the building survey.

It's not a legal requirement to order a survey on a property, but that doesn't mean it isn't an important part of the arsenal you are building up to fight for that home you want to buy.

It's easy to look at a survey and think that it's only for the bad things that come with some homes, particularly the older ones. We all hear horror stories about subsidence, or the need for the roof to be replaced. Surely we can be observant enough to spot those problems ourselves, so why shell out a lot of money to tell us what we can already see?

Unfortunately that's not the full story with surveys, because they are far more than simply looking for the major problems with a property's condition. What about the hidden issues that will likely turn into those major problems if not addressed? And why would a new build property necessarily be in nearer perfect condition than a home built in the seventies?

This is a common misunderstanding about what a survey provides. It gives you a far deeper and much better insight into what is going on with the property's structure and its overall condition. It is for this reason that most property professionals insist that a building survey is a necessity for any buyer, whatever its age and construction.

The survey will provide you with the details of any obvious and hidden structural problems, such as dry or wet rot, leaking roofs and poor rain management systems, as well as more obvious issues such as subsidence, giving a detailed assessment of the problem and the level of damage.

The surveyor will also identify and measure the existence of timber decay, caused by simple age, woodworm or poor weight-bearing identification at installation, and damp, usually caused by poor ventilation, inadequate initial construction or a poor or missing damp-proof membrane. They will also assess the construction methods and materials used, including the types of timber and brick, and flag any observable problems with the building's stability.

Although they will not take anything apart to investigate, the surveyor will also identify the age of the water, gas and electrical systems, using their knowledge and expertise to flag what problems might exist within those systems.

Part of the chartered surveyor's role, too, is to highlight any urgent maintenance work that is required, as well as stating problems which will need to be rectified in the future.

Aside from the condition of the property, you will receive an impartial valuation based on the surveyor's knowledge of the housing market and similar properties in the area. This is incredibly useful in matching that value with the asking price set by the seller and their estate agent. If there is a clear disparity between the two, this gives you the leverage you need to renegotiate the asking price. Or, if there is no movement to be agreed with the seller, you can simply walk away from the transaction.

What is more, your chartered surveyor will be able to identify problems with the property that might contravene existing planning and building regulations, which is particularly important if you are planning significant renovation or extension work. There may be a flying freehold, or concerns about the boundaries. All of these issues will be raised in their report as items for your conveyancing solicitor to investigate.

Ultimately, you will have a clear picture of the property's condition, an impartial assessment of its market price and an accurate budget for any remedial or renovation work highlighted in the report. And when it comes to spending such a large amount of money, nothing gives you that peace of mind quite like getting a survey.

So whatever your plans for moving home and buying your next property, make sure your budget includes the all-important survey. Surveyor Local will connect you to the best professional advice through our nationwide panel of chartered surveyors, all of whom are members of the RICS. They will work hard to identify all kinds of problems, including the impact of prior flooding on the structure of the property.

Call to get your no-obligation survey quote started, or to discuss your concerns about the acquisition of your planned property.

Or you can get a quick quote online. Just give us a few quick details and we'll give you an instant quote for the work, with a copy sent straight to your inbox.