A structural surveyor is the same as a building surveyor. They assess the condition of properties and provide advice on the relevant defects and risks of not remedying them. This could be for residential, public or commercial buildings.
The inspection allows them to develop a report which details the construction of the property and what state it is in. This is provided in an overall summary as well as breaking everything down element by element (roof, ceilings, walls, floors, etc.) and this includes the services (gas, heating, hot water, electrics, etc.).
London chartered building surveyors are regulated by RICS or other accreditation bodies like CIOB. This encourages surveying work to be more standardised so as to meet rules and guidelines for the public benefit.
If you are serious about buying a property and would like to know if there are any structural problems, then you should consider instructing a structural surveyor. A residential structural survey will identify any visual structural problems apparent at the time of inspection. It can be done before or after (usually before) you buy a property. The term “structural survey” is essentially the same as a Building Survey and they cover the following externals and internals:
When buying a property, it is of the utmost importance to discover if there are any hidden problems. This is where a Chartered Surveyor, a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), comes into their own, as he can undertake a Building Survey, report on defects, structural problems and any likely expenditure that might be required in the future as result of the condition of the property.
What was previously known as a full structural survey is now referred to as a level 3 building survey by RICS. Therefore the terms Building Survey and Full Structural Survey mean the same thing.
So, a Full Building Survey or “structural survey” is a comprehensive check-up particularly for larger, older or run-down properties, whereas a Homebuyer Report is for a more standard property. Not only does each type of property require its own specific approach, but with the proper survey report you can negotiate on the cost of repairs and be in possession of all relevant information.
When buying any property, you should ask a Building Surveyor to carry out a detailed inspection. If you are buying a house, you should at least have a Level 2 – RICS HomeBuyer Survey. This is to avoid surprise inconveniences and costs after buying the property. Our panel of London RICS surveyors can also provide a range of services including advice on:
An RICS Building Survey is appropriate for properties/buildings that are older or more expensive, have been extensively modified or you are planning major works. This is a really detailed report providing you with a full breakdown of your property, its history and condition as well as advice on defects, repairs and maintenance options. By getting this level of detail it allows you to see any existing problems with the property as well as how much it could potentially cost you to get them fixed before you commit any further with the purchase.
If you’re buying a relatively new or conventional London property built around or after 1960, using common building materials and methods, an RICS HomeBuyer Report may be enough. The RICS Chartered surveyor will visually examine all areas of the property and highlight any problems that may require attention and use a traffic light system giving you a red, amber, green rating to help you determine the most serious issues. New builds should be inspected by a qualified/experienced building surveyor, to carry out a Homebuyer Level 2 survey. This will ensure that any works which are outstanding are recorded.
