What is a building surveyor?
Building surveyors offer advice to estate agents, people purchasing, renting, or letting properties, and aid architects and builders to overcome design flaws. They offer consultations on building defects, extensions, and on new builds.
What does a building surveyor do?
A building surveyor surveys properties at the bequest of a business or an individual. They offer advice about any issues within a property, such as dampness, subsidence, or harmful materials. They will also check for any historical damage to a building and advise of any future repairs that will be required.
If you are buying a renting a property it is important to have it surveyed before hand, so that any defects are brought to your attention.
What does a chartered building surveyor do?
A chartered building surveyor is a surveyor who has completed an Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This means they are fully qualified to carry out surveys. Anyone can call themselves a building surveyor, but only someone who has completed the APC can call themselves a chartered surveyor. It is important to know what kind of surveyor you are employing to carry out the job. It is often worth paying more to know that you have had a job well done.
What kind of things does a building surveyor look for?
Lets have a slightly more detailed look at what a survey entails.
There are many different types of building survey, but we’re just going to have a look at the most common survey pertaining to buying, letting, and renting property.
The survey will offer advice on whether to proceed with the purchase or rental of a property based on factors such as:
- The general condition of the property
- Any major faults in accessible parts of the building that may affect the value,
- Any other urgent problems that need attention.
You will also receive results of tests for
- Damp in the walls
- Damage to timbers -including woodworm or rot
- The condition of any damp-proofing
- Condition of the roof
- Insulation
- Drainage
You can now see why it is so important to have a building surveyed before you sign a contract.
Conclusion
It is imperative that a well respected and experienced surveyor is used to assess a building before any contracts are exchanged. Remember to ask whether they are chartered surveyors. Your solicitor may be able to recommend one. Contact us now to see how we can help you!
