Collinson Associates is headed by John Collinson, a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer with over 30 years experience. We specialise in residential building surveying services including HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys, valuations and reports on building defects.
We are based in South Devon but operate throughout Devon and Cornwall. We have offices in Saltash and Fowey and operate throughout the South West.
Collinson Associates specialises in residential building surveying services including HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys, condition surveys, schedules of dilapidations, design and contract administration, and project management.
There are essentially three types of surveys to be considered, the Building Survey, the HomeBuyer Report, and the basic Valuation. The key differences are discussed below:
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 Report: The HomeBuyer Report 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.
A HomeBuyer Report 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.
A HomeBuyer Report 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.
We believe in providing plain English reports and are happy to talk through the report afterwards at no additional cost.
Initial advice is freely given so that you commission the correct report – if you’re uncertain which survey is best for you, get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
Collinson Associates provide Building Surveys in Plymouth