There may be a lot of surveyors online, but it is not necessarily difficult to find the right one when you are buying a house if you know what to look for. Follow this guide and you will find a surveyor who is right for you.
Choose the Type of Survey You Want
Before you do anything else, you should choose the type of survey you want to instruct. There are three main types:
A Basic Survey
A basic survey will be instructed by the mortgage lender if you are borrowing money to finance your purchase. Unfortunately, you are liable for the cost but don’t make the mistake of thinking the survey is done for your benefit. It is carried out so that the mortgage lender can decide if they want to lend you the money or not. It only covers the bare necessities such as whether the house is in the stated location and if it looks like it is about to fall down. You have no comeback if the surveyor gets it wrong because the survey isn’t carried out on your behalf.
A Homebuyer’s Report
If you want a survey that is done for you then you could get a homebuyer’s report. This will tell you more about the structure and any serious issues such as dampness. The report will state if any parts of the property don’t meet official regulations and how much it would cost to rebuild the property. This is an unobtrusive survey, meaning that the surveyor won’t look under furniture or floorboards. This is a good option if you are buying a newish home and have no concerns.
A Structural Survey
A full structural survey is the most thorough but also the most expensive. The surveyor will check everything from the cellar to the attic and move furniture if necessary. You will receive a very detailed report on the condition of the property. This is the best type of survey if you are buying an older-style property or planning to carry out any renovation work. This type of survey is not available If you are buying an apartment as the surveyor can only access the part of the building you are buying and can’t produce a full report about the rest of the property.
Consider Any Obvious Issues
If you spot any obvious issues when you look around the property such as bats in the attic or trees very close to the house, then it is a good idea to follow this up and get a specialist report that deals with these matters. 24 Housing has some brilliant articles on what to look for when you are viewing a property to buy and what you might want to be wary of. Many surveyors have specialists who work alongside them so it is worthwhile looking for a surveyor who can also produce a specialist report if necessary.
Location
It makes sense to instruct a surveyor who is local to the house you are buying. They will know about the history of the area, such as whether the soil is sandy or chalky; they will know what the build quality of the house is likely to be like; and they may have surveyed many similar properties in the area. A surveyor with good local knowledge will know how to produce the best report for the location you are buying the property, and they are unlikely to miss any historical or local issues that could cause you problems.
Research
Take some time to research surveyors in the local area. There is a considerable number of review sites covering every type of industry and reading these will give you a much better idea of the surveyor’s reputation and experience. You will be able to find some of the best surveyors in the area and you will know which companies to stay away from.
Your research will also show you what type of work the surveyor has done in the past, what their areas of specialism or expertise are and how long they have been in business. If you want to know anything else about the company, don’t feel afraid of phoning them up and asking questions. It is your money and your survey after all.
Qualifications
All the fantastic reviews in the world won’t matter if the surveyor isn’t actually qualified to do the job. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a global organisation that chartered surveyors can belong to once they have completed their qualifications. Surveyors have to meet stringent criteria and pass exams to become members, so this is a good place to start if you want to check out whether your surveyor is qualified and experienced.
Shop Around
Make sure you shop around to find your perfect surveyor rather than just settling on the first one you come across. You will be expected to part with a lot of money for a home buyer or full structural survey and even more if you opt for a specialist report too. You need to trust your surveyor if they are going to work with you, otherwise, there will always be a niggling doubt at the back of your mind that they might have missed something. Speak to a few surveyors and find one you are happy with and can trust.
Cost
Don’t be too swayed by the cost of a surveyor. You do get what you pay for, and it might be worth paying for a professional who has a lot of experience in the industry and knows the area and type of house you are buying well. A new graduate who has just set up their own firm might work out a lot cheaper but, in an industry where experience is imperative, it is probably worth paying for it.
Following this guide should give you a very good idea of what type of survey and surveyor you want to instruct to report on your new home. From this, you can narrow down your options until you settle on the perfect surveyor to report on your new home.