Associates
RICS Surveys
At Stratful Associates, we are dedicated to providing top-quality surveys to ensure your new home or business premises are fit for purpose.
Why do you need an RICS Home Survey?
Because forewarned is forearmed. Choosing the right survey will help highlight any serious problems and advise you of the specific risks before you commit to the process of buying or selling a property.
RICS has three different levels of survey
These can only be conducted by an RICS qualified surveyor. Reliable and cost effective, these reports carry the full weight of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – the industry’s most respected authority on surveying.
Buying a home
It’s important to remember that your mortgage lender’s valuation report is not a survey. It merely tells your lender whether or not the property is reasonable security for your loan. An RICS survey will tell you the actual condition of the property. That’s vital information that can be invaluable during price negotiations, and will also help you avoid expensive surprises after you’ve moved in. There is an option for an RICS Home Survey – Level 2 (with valuation) which, as the name suggests, also includes a valuation as a standard part of the service for your own purposes.
Selling a home
An RICS survey can be an aid to selling your home. It will show you any problems that may delay your sale or cause price reductions later in the process. Staying at home A survey of the current condition of your home will warn you of defects and help you avoid escalating repair and maintenance costs in the future.
RICS LEVEL 2
SURVEY
Choose this report if you need more extensive information whilst buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials and in reasonable condition.
The focus is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property. This intermediate level of service includes a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but still without tests.
Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars).
The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems.
RICS LEVEL 3
SURVEY
Choose this report if dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works. It costs more than the other RICS reports because it gives detailed information about the structure and fabric of the property.
This service includes:
• a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a survey level two
• Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars)
• Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation – in other words, they are switched on or off and/or operated where the occupier
has given permission and it is safe to do so.
The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for
different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. Additionally, it should:
• describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected.
• propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection
• outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair; and make general recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary work. The surveyor may also be able to provide an estimate of costs for identified repairs if
agreed with you in advance.
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How much does a building survey cost?The cost of a building survey varies depending on the size, age, and complexity of the property, but prices typically range from £500 to £1500.
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Are your fees negotiable?Our fees are competitive and reflect the quality of service provided. We can discuss specific requirements and tailor our services to meet your needs.
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Do you price match or offer discounts?We do not offer a price match service or offer any discounts.
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Why can you not offer a price match or offer a discount?We believe our service is second to none and many other companies use less qualified surveyors (AssocRICS) with less experience. We also included a drone survey as standard with all level 3 surveys.
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How do I proceed with a survey?Please log in to your account and click the “book now” button, alternatively click the same button in your emailed quote.
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How long does a building survey take?A building survey typically takes between 2-4 hours on-site, depending on the size and condition of the property.
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When will the survey take place?We are generally booked approximately 10-15 working days in advance. Signed terms must be received by us before we can proceed with booking your survey.
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Do I need to arrange access with the estate agents/vendor?We will make the necessary arrangements to access the property on your behalf.
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Can I come to the property with the surveyor?We are not able to accommodate any accompanied surveys under any circumstances.
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Can I include a valuation?We are unable to offer a valuation service as we do not hold the separate RICS valuation qualification to do so.
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Are repairs costs included as standard?We do not include repair costs as standard as not all customers require it. We can add this for an additional fee dependent on the size of the property.
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When will I get my report?Our reports are delivered to you in PDF format with three working days of our site visit, or the same day for an additional fee.
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Can I have a hard copy of the report?We no longer issue hard copy reports as we are now a paperless office.
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What if I have questions after the report is delivered?Please complete the online contact form included with your report for any post-survey questions.
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What should I do if I disagree with the survey report?If you disagree with the findings, you can discuss your concerns with the surveyor. A second opinion from another surveyor can also be sought.
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Do I need a survey if the property is new?Even new properties can have defects, so it is advisable to get a snagging survey to identify any issues that need addressing by the builder.
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What does a building surveyor do?A building surveyor provides professional advice on property and construction, which includes assessing the condition of buildings, identifying defects, and offering recommendations for repairs and maintenance.
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What qualifications does a building surveyor need?A building surveyor typically holds a degree in building surveying or a related field and is often a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
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Do you provide valuations for mortgage purposes?No, building surveys and mortgage valuations are different. Mortgage valuations are typically arranged by your lender.
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Are you a chartered building surveyor?All our surveys are carried out by Paul who is a fully chartered surveyor (MRICS membership: 1272420) and not an Associate Surveyor.
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Do you hold insurance?We hold relevant professional indemnity insurance in accordance with RICS requirements. A copy can be made available on request.
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Can I call you?We no longer have an incoming telephone number due to a busy working schedule. Please email us or text us (07361249464) with any questions and we will respond within one working day.
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What types of surveys do you offer?We offer various types of surveys including Homebuyer Reports, Building Surveys, Condition Reports, and Specific Defect Reports.
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What is a Building Survey?A Building Survey is a detailed inspection of a property, providing an in-depth analysis of its condition, identifying defects, and suggesting maintenance solutions.
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What is a Homebuyer Report?A Homebuyer Report is a more concise survey suitable for standard properties in reasonable condition. It highlights significant issues that might affect the property’s value.
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Do you offer advice on property extensions and alterations?Yes, we provide advice on the feasibility of property extensions and alterations, including planning permission and building regulations.
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Can you help with disputes between landlords and tenants?Yes, we offer services to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, including dilapidation reports and schedules of condition.
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Do you offer commercial property surveys?Yes, we provide surveys for both residential and commercial properties, including pre-purchase and pre-lease assessments.
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What other optional services do you offer?What other optional services do you offer? We offer a reinstatement cost assessment, thermographic survey, window measurement survey and fast report service.