Partners; Darren Mugleston BSc MRICS and John Collinson BSc MRICS

Surveying Devon and Cornwall specialises in residential building surveying services including homebuyer reports and building surveys, condition surveys, schedules of dilapidations, design and contract administration, and project management. We have offices in Saltash and Fowey and operate throughout the South West.

There are essentially three types of surveys to be considered, the building survey, the Homebuyer Survey, and the basic Valuation. The key differences are discussed below. Prior to contacting us you may wish to read the RICS publication understanding property surveys which explains the various types of surveys that are available to see what is appropriate for the type of house you are buying.

Building Survey:  A building survey is a comprehensive inspection suitable for all properties but especially recommended for listed buildings, those built before 1900, any building constructed in an unusual way regardless of its age, properties you are planning to renovate or alter in any way, or properties which have already had extensive alterations.

A building survey involves a detailed examination of all accessible parts of a property and can be tailor-made to suit your individual needs and concerns. It includes all major and minor faults, the implications of any defects and the possible cost of repairs. It will also include recommendations for any further specialist inspections.

A building survey does not include a valuation, although we will be able to provide a separate valuation report if required.

Homebuyer Survey:  The Homebuyer Survey and Valuation Report or (HSV) is a service carried out to a standard format, defined by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), designed for properties built after 1900, which are of conventional construction and in reasonable condition. An HSV includes the property's general condition, any significant defects, in accessible parts of the property, which may affect its value, and urgent and significant matters that need assessing before entering into exchanging contracts.

The HSV includes the value of the property on the open market and the recommended reinstatement cost for insurance purposes. An HSV is not a detailed survey of every aspect of the property and focuses only on significant and urgent matters. It's not suitable for properties built before 1900, those in need of renovation or that you are planning.

www.surveyingdevonandcornwall.co.uk

Surveying Devon and Cornwall - Providing House Surveys in Devon and Cornwall
(including Bodmin, Boscastle, Callington, Calstock, Camelford, Delabole, Fowey, Gunnislake, Ivybridge, Launceston, Lifton, Liskeard, Looe, Lostwithiel, Padstow, Par, Plymouth, Port Isaac, Saltash, St Austell, Tavistock, Tintagel, Torpoint, Wadebridge and Yelverton)