Welcome to Southwest Housesurveys
Southwest Housesurveys are specialist pre-purchase surveyors with over three decades of experience serving clients in Bristol, Swindon, South Wales and the surrounding area. At Housesurveys we utilise our wealth of experience in the property survey industry to provide accurate property surveys for both residential and commercial buyers.
As building surveyors with over 30 years of professional experience, Southwest Housesurveys are expert chartered surveyors who excel at conducting thorough and meticulous home surveys that can pinpoint any outstanding issues a property may have.
We adhere to the strict guidelines as set down by the Royal Institute of Chartered Accountants (RICS), which guarantees your peace of mind that every aspect of a property will be explored in minute detail. We strive to carry out our surveys within three days of initial enquiry and aim to submit our detailed property reports within a week of completion.
Choosing a Survey
Bristol & South West House Surveys
Why choose us for your home survey?
We are chartered surveyors that can carry out Home-Buyers Surveys & Valuations on most properties, more detailed Building Surveys on most properties, more detailed Building Surveys on properties that are old or have been altered, or limited house inspections to discuss specific defects. Please refer to the attached web pages for details of the type of surveys available and how to select the appropriate type for your proposed purchase.
How do we charge for a home survey?
Fees are by prior agreement, based upon the size, age and location of the property.
Fees quoted are fixed, include vat and are not subject to the addition of extras. We will make the inspection as soon as possible and your report will be released on receipt of your payment. Complete our enquiry form today.
Why have a home survey?
Your mortgage lender will commission a valuation, a copy of which is likely to be made available to you, but it is only a valuation to ensure that the loan is adequately secured upon the house, it is not a condition survey.
Sadly, many people take more care buying a used car than buying a house. They will check the log book and the service history, take it for a test drive, most likely be covered by a 12-month warranty and take out a finance agreement for a year or three. By comparison, most mortgages are for terms of up to 25 years, a house will not be covered by a warranty, it will require regular maintenance to keep it in good condition and many houses will require initial expenditure soon after purchase to put right existing defects. There is no recourse to the purchaser if defects come to light and in some cases the property will be uninhabitable while repairs & improvements are undertaken by our chartered surveyors. Our property surveyors will come in before you buy and inspect the property, allowing you to make the purchase decision with all the facts. Get in touch with our expert team if you need any advice or further information.
What is included in a home survey?
A survey report outline the condition of the property you wish to purchase. A common misconception is that a mortgage valuation carried out by your lender is a survey – this is not the case. Mortage valuations assess the risk of the loan amount but give no insight about the condition of the property you want to buy. A house survey is a physical review of the property in much more detail.
The survey will include:
- An inspection of all major features including any ongoing structural movement, roofs, walls, floors, woodwork and ceilings.
- An inspection of any permanent outdoor structures e.g garages, outhouses or other.
- A damp test of accessible ground floor walls.
- An inspection of the visible and accessible sections of the heating & drainage systems as well as the electric, gas/oil and water services.
- Identification of any flagged areas that need further investigation.
- An easy to follow traffic light system to illustrate the urgency of issues identified.
- A market valuation and recommended insurance rebuilding cost (level 2 HomeBuyer Survey & Valuation).
What type of survey is needed?
The level of survey that you may need will all depend upon the age, style and condition of the property you are buying. Get in touch with our expert team of surveyors for advice on which survey product is best suited to the property you are potentially buying.
The RICS Condition Report – Ideal for new properties which are likely to be well built and are unlikely to require any extensive work. Any potential current or future major issues will be it will be highlighted.
The RICS HomeBuyer Report – This is the most popular type of survey and is suited to homes that are older and could potentially require some level of immediate attention. A HomeBuyer report will allow you to make an informed decision ahead of purchase and advise on any repairs you might need to make. This report will offer a range of advice on how best to proceed when buying this property.
The RICS Building Survey – Best suited to large or old properties which need visible refurbishment or renovation. This report is a fully comprehensive and details the condition of a property with particular attention being paid to all areas of the property. It will advise on defects, potential repairs and options for maintenance.
To find out more about the other types of surveys we offer, get in contact today.
Expert Bristol Building Surveyor Services
Consider the following:
- Are the cracks in the front wall normal thermal cracking that can be ignored, or do they indicate structural movement?
- The trees look great, but are they likely to affect the foundations? Will you be liable if they damage the neighbouring house?
- Is the damp stain on the dining room wall rising damp, dry rot, or only a tea-stain?
- So the house has white plastic lights and sockets, but is the cabling potentially dangerous two-core, or has it been botched in the loft?
- The wood windows look good, but has the vendor filled the rot and painted it over?
- Many old houses have been re-roofed, but have the new (heavier) concrete tiles over-loaded the old roof structure, causing it to become unsound?
- Do the drains work, or are they blocked?
- The old ceilings are cracked, but do they need replacing?
- Can you afford to take the risk?
- Can you afford NOT to have a survey?