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The surveyor who produces your report will be local to Halifax with knowledge of the area. We work with RICS qualified surveyors around the country who offer high quality property surveys at a great price. Surveyor Local gives you piece of mind and offers RICS HomeBuyer Reports, Building Surveys and Property Valuations.
Fast turnaround
The reports are a fast turnaround while still being accurate, so you'll have everything you need in no time.
RICS qualified
You can trust our reports as they are all regulated by RICS, assuring standards and professional guidance.
Traffic-light ratings
Each report comes with a handy traffic-light system to illustrate all aspects of the property clearly.
Surveying in Halifax Made Easy with Surveyor Local
Are you planning to buy a property in Halifax? Then one of the first things you'll need is a property survey. Getting a property survey doesn't have to be complicated. At Surveyor Local we can help you make an informed decision about any property you plan to buy.
We offer Homebuyer Reports (RICS Level 2), Building Surveys (RICS Level 3), and Property Valuations. So get things moving in a matter of moments with an online quote, call us on , or request a callback.
Arranging a building survey in Halifax
No matter which part of this historic town you intend to purchase in, you can quickly and easily arrange the building survey you need through Surveyor Local.
From popular neighbourhoods such as Brighouse, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and West Vale to picturesque and historic spots like Calderdale and Hipperholme, Surveyor Local can handle your building survey.
We only work with Halifax-based chartered surveyors registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to guarantee the highest quality service at affordable prices.
Read on to find the answers to our most frequently asked questions about building surveys in Halifax.
I intend to buy a flat in Halifax. What sort of survey should I instruct?
Whatever type of property you intend to buy in Halifax, the decision on which building survey is best will depend on several factors. For example, a full structural survey known as a Building Survey (RICS Level 3) will provide a more in-depth examination and explanation of the fabric of a building. This might be more appropriate when buying a flat or apartment because the surveyor can be asked to provide an opinion on shared areas of a property, such as the roof area, hallways and stairwells.
We're cash buyers. Do we need to bother with any kind of structural survey, or will a Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) be enough?
It's always best to be forewarned about any potential issues with a property, and those buying without a mortgage need to protect their investment just as a lender would. A Building Survey (RICS Level 3) is the most comprehensive and technical survey offered by Halifax RICS surveyors working with Surveyor Local. An examination of the property's accessible areas - both interior and exterior - will inform an in-depth report on its construction, any visible defects and their causes, and any recommendations on repair and maintenance options. A Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) would also identify any structural issues, such as subsidence, but this will not be as thorough an examination as the Building Survey.
We are interested in buying a barn conversion In Halifax. Which type of survey will reveal if the age of the property is an issue?
The method of construction used in a property may dictate which kind of survey you choose. Older properties built using traditional methods and materials may be more expensive to maintain, while any defects may not be obvious without a detailed inspection. When you instruct a Halifax RICS chartered surveyor through Surveyor Local, you get the opportunity to discuss whether the property you intend to buy has any specific issues related to its age or construction type. The surveyor can advise on what survey would best suit your circumstances.
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What kind of roof issues would a Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) reveal?
A Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) uses colour-coded condition ratings that give those purchasing a property clear understanding of any issues. Access to loft or attic space can reveal issues with trusses and supports, torn or punctured damp proofing or missing tiles. Where it is not possible to access the roof for a more thorough inspection, the final report will make this clear.
I'm buying on a Halifax property that hasn't been renovated in decades, and I'm concerned there may be asbestos in the interior roof tiles. Will a survey show if asbestos is there?
A building survey will not be able to confirm whether asbestos is present, but the surveyor will note any possibility of the fibre's use and advise where further investigation is required. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre that was used in building materials such as flooring and fireplace lining because of its resistance to heat. The product was also used as insulation in ceiling tiles. Asbestos is a hazardous substance, and prolonged exposure to its fibres can lead to lung cancer or asbestosis. Where asbestos is found, it must be removed by professionals who are licensed by the Health & Safety Executive.
The electrics in the Halifax terraced house we're bidding on are very old. Does a surveyor look at the safety of the wiring?
Whether carrying out a Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) or a Building Survey (RICS Level 3), a chartered surveyor will look at the condition of the electrics, including an overview of the fuse board, its age and condition, any visible wiring, plus electrical fittings such as showers and light fittings. If the electrics are in an unsatisfactory or dangerous state of repair, the surveyor will highlight this in their subsequent report. The surveyor will also examine any documentation from electrical wiring tests carried out by an electrician where this is available.
The property we plan to purchase is built on clay soil. Does a Halifax Home Buyers Report (RICS Level 2) discuss soil composition in the report? Does the chartered surveyor give maintenance advice?
Factors from Japanese knotweed to environmental conditions can cause costs and inconvenience for a property-owner. Clay-rich soil, for example, is a potential source of a number of issues. Clay soil is naturally lower in volume and will compact over several months in the case of new builds. This settlement is predictable and necessary - the real concern is contraction in clay soil caused by changes in the local water table. Signs like a difficult-to-open drawing room window can be an early warning, suggesting severe underlying structural deficiencies. A Halifax surveyor will consider and clay soil related concerns and advise accordingly. If you are particularly concerned about a crack or other sign of movement, the surveyor can also report on whether it is recent, or an indication of much earlier subsidence.
Will the Halifax Home Buyers Report (RICS Level 2 ) search for possible water damage, or whether flooding has affected the garden?
The lives of many homeowners in Halifax and across the UK have been seriously affected by floods, and home purchasers and owners are understandably concerned. As with many aspects of home ownership, flood prevention is better and cheaper than a cure, and a property surveyor will advise on repairs or preventative measures. Familiarity with characteristics of the local area likely to affect homes in Halifax enables the property surveyor to surmise flooding may be a risk, even if the property has not itself flooded before. The property surveyor may ask the estate agent about historical floods, although the result of these inquiries should be treated as a guide only.
Is wet weather an issue in Halifax, and does the Halifax Building Survey (RICS Level 3)mention it?
Climate change is regularly in the news. However, the effect which wet weather has on homes is often overlooked. One indication that gutters are underperforming is streaks of dirt down the outside of guttering. This could then result in damage to foundations. In most cases, problems with drains are generally easy to resolve, if maintenance is taken seriously, unless they are untreated or poorly maintained. The damage will steadily get harder to remedy, so do not be tempted to ignore the signs.
I am intending to put an offer in on a Halifax property-built Cotswold stone. Are there any defects that need to be investigated?
External wall maintenance is essential to the health of buildings. The problems which can plague poorly maintained stone vary considerably. Regular stone walls are built with prepared or cut stone, called ashlar, and are often easier to maintain than walls of irregular construction. This is a generalisation however, as limestone or sandstone-built and regularly coursed walls can decay rapidly when exposed to more extreme environmental conditions or pollution. Regular courses of ashlar (cut stone) are often used as a finish to irregular stone walls, with a brick or rubble wall beneath. You can request advice on the specific steps to be taken when a problem is identified. Common guidance may include careful removal of nearby trees and plants. Be careful not to pull these up by the roots, as they could already be intertwined with the wall's foundations, which will cause more damage. If you are planning to renovate, consider that the British Geological Survey's GeoReport includes a stone matching service. Locally mined or quarried stone may also be available.
What will the Property Surveyor look for on a stucco coated home in Halifax that I am thinking of purchasing?
Stucco (aka pargetting) is really just a dense render. Typically, it is applied to red brick to form a smooth and attractive finish. Stucco is highly grand in appearance and is common on some Regency homes. Sometimes it can contain lime in it as well as animal fibres to stop cracks. it can be problematic, and Surveyors in Halifax commonly report any number of problems such as trapped water resulting in internal damp problems. Other potential problems could involve sulphate attack from salts sucked out of underlying brickwork. Re-covering problems can be surprisingly expensive as the skills are becoming more difficult to find.
Arrange your Halifax building survey with Surveyor Local
Get an online quote or call now on to talk to our friendly team today. You can also request a callback at a time that's most convenient to you. We're open late Monday to Friday and from 10am until 4pm every Saturday.