RICS Chartered Building Surveyor

Synergy are Independent RICS Chartered Building Surveyors, our surveyors are highly respected and ensure that residential and commercial buyers can buy with confidence.  For residential buyers surveys we can usually book in within a few days of instruction and can provide a report 3 - 5 working days thereafter survey (if time is a factor just ask).

We provide Homebuyer Level 2 &  Level 3 Detailed Building Surveys for buyers ( detail scroll down below).  In our opinion there is very  little difference between a L2 and L3 survey, every survey will be evaluated on the individual property, its age and the time a surveyor needs to give you a meaningful report.  L3 surveys are more detailed given the properties age and modifications that have been made, they will provide more focus on defects found and on longer term maintenance with budgets as required.  

If you purchasing a flat, you still need to take a view on the wider building maintenance which you will have a shared responsibility for.  Our survey will need to advise you on the wider implications to consider.

For L2 & L3 surveys we carry drones and camera extension equipment to see the difficult to reach areas. 

Level 2 surveys are mainly for more modern properties that are in reasonable condition, that have not been refurbished, adapted, extended or have any serious defects.   

Our L2 Home Survey (former Homebuyers style survey) include:

• A building inspection by a Chartered Building Surveyor.
• All building elements, both interior and exterior, including walls, ceilings, roof, guttering, windows, and doors, will be visually inspected.   We will also identify any structural defects visually evident.
• Inspection of outbuildings and boundary walls / fences (limited on quotation).
• Services such as gas / oil / electrical  heating, electricity, water, and drainage will also be visually appraised, and recommendations will be made for further inspections if necessary.
• A 'traffic light' grading system will be used to indicate the severity of any defects found.
• Repairs that are Urgent and forthcoming maintenance requirements in the next year will be highlighted.
• If applicable, recommendations for further investigations, observations about planning and building control and questions on legal matters will be noted for you and the legal conveyancer to consider and investigate further.
• Photos of repairs and defects will be included in our L2 reports.
• A full survey report in PDF format, emailed or file transferred to you.

If there is something specific you also require at the survey please ask.

Level 3 surveys are more detailed, these are for defective and older properties in excess of 25 years old, properties that have been adapted, extended, converted or are of an unusual construction.  The L3 survey draws on the surveyors experience with consideration on longer term maintenance consideration.

Our L3 Building Surveys ( formerly known as Structural Surveys) include:

• A building inspection by a Chartered Building Surveyor.
• All building elements, both interior and exterior, including walls, ceilings, roof, guttering, windows, and doors, will be visually inspected.  We will also identify any structural defects visually evident.
• Inspection of outbuildings and boundary walls / fences (limited on quotation)..
• Services such as gas / oil / electrical  heating, electricity, water, and drainage will also be visually appraised, and recommendations will be made for further inspections if necessary.
• A 'traffic light' grading system will be used to indicate the severity of any defects found.
• Repairs that are Urgent and future maintenance requirements will be highlighted.
• Assessment of changes, adaptions / conversion and associated defects will be included.
• If applicable, recommendations for further investigations, observations about planning and building control and questions on legal matters will be noted for you and the legal conveyancer to consider and investigate further.
• Photos of repairs and defects will be included in our L3 reports.
• A full survey report in PDF format emailed or file transferred to you.

If there is something specific you also require at the survey please ask.

Additional options that you may want to consider:

• A BCIS insurance reinstatement cost if requested.
• Budget cost for anticipated defect repair or replacement works if requested.
• Development potential if requested, extensions, rooms in the roof, conversion etc (you may need a feasibility review), if requested
• FRI Lease & Leaseholder surveys will include the demise, we prefer to review the wider building if you have a service charge or full repair commitment, we will include this if requested but will likely need more discussion.

Limitations:

• All surveys are visual inspections and non-intrusive (unless agreed and permission is sought from current owners), your survey will contain caveats on limitations with access, furniture, floor coverings and the like (more detail will be provided in the quotation). 

Why have a survey?

The survey is to make you aware of the potential pitfalls of this property, the UK Housing stock is susceptible to the elements, generally old and therefore adapted and refurbished multiple times, then fraught with defects and DIY (do it yourself) problems including poor workmanship.  You need the piece of mind you know what your getting into and potentially how much to budget to put those things right both immediately and in the future years.

Defects and Maintenance

Defects:  defects could be early part failure of a building material, structural movement and cracking, corrosion, poor building work or historic design failures, damp, dry rot, mould, rotten timbers, infestation, leaking gutters and downpipes, blocked drains etc.

Potential defects:  Proximity of trees could be an example of potential defects that may occur in the future but you should be aware of.

Maintenance:  maintenance can be both regular maintenance like clearing gutters through to the end of life of a building materials or finishes such as roof tile failure, window vacuum seals failure, pointing and repair of masonry, redecoration etc.  

Deleterious materials: The property may have asbestos or other risk materials that will be commented on if suspected or identified within the scope of the survey.

Negotiate the price or repair

If the survey identifies materials, defects and maintenance issues in the survey,  you can use these issues to negotiate with the vendor, alternatively you can ask the vendor to fix the issue before you purchase.  Your solicitor and the agent will usually consider these points in any negotiation so you don’t have to deal direct with the vendor.

Peace of mind

Property ownership needs to come with the knowledge we possess, please do get in touch for your survey, it's simple to quote, once we have the Rightmove link or details and any special requirements, we can then quote by return email.  Please get in touch by phone or using the quotation or contact link buttons.