Know What You Are Buying
Property Surveys
Homebuyer surveys, full structural and building surveys, snagging inspections and pre purchase reports, written to be read rather than filed.
We work across ten towns on the Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire borders, which between them fall under five separate planning authorities. That matters more than it sounds: the council that signs your work off is decided by your address, not by the nearest big town, and on this patch the boundaries run close together.
What is included
What Property Surveys Include
Homebuyer Surveys
A proportionate inspection and report for a property in reasonable condition, flagging what matters before exchange.
Full Structural and Building Surveys
The detailed option for older, altered or unusual properties, where the structure itself is the question.
Snagging Inspections
A methodical list of defects on a new build, recorded in a form the developer can act on.
Pre Purchase Reports
Focused advice where you already know what you want to do to a property and need to know whether it is realistic.
Alteration Feasibility Comments
Where the plan is to open the ground floor up, we can say what that is likely to involve while the survey is being done.
How it runs
Property Surveys: How We Work
Brief and Property Type
We establish the age, construction and any known history, because that decides which level of survey is proportionate.
On Site Inspection
A physical inspection of what is accessible, recorded with photographs rather than described in general terms.
Written Report
A report that says what was found, what it means, and what to do about it, in that order.
Follow Up Discussion
A survey is only useful if you understand it, so we expect questions afterwards and answer them.
The structural question
The Part That Decides the Job
The question a survey most often has to answer on a period property is whether a previous alteration was done properly. Openings formed without adequate support, beams bearing on nothing more substantial than the original brickwork, and chimney breasts removed at ground floor while the stack above was left in place are all common findings, and all of them change what a subsequent open plan project can safely do.
Questions we get asked
Property Surveys: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common findings on an older property?
Damp related issues, roof covering and flashing wear, movement historic enough to be stable, and previous alterations carried out without adequate structural support are all frequent findings on period stock.
Does a survey cover the drains and the electrics?
A building survey covers what can be visually inspected and will flag where a specialist test is advisable, but drainage and electrical installations are usually tested separately by specialists using their own equipment.
Is a mortgage valuation the same as a survey?
No. A mortgage valuation is carried out for the lender to confirm the property is adequate security for the loan. It is not a condition survey and it is not commissioned on your behalf, even where you pay for it.
How much does a survey cost?
It depends on the level of survey and the size and age of the property. We quote in writing before the inspection is booked so there is no ambiguity about scope.
Do I need a survey on a new build property?
A structural survey is rarely the priority on a brand new house, but a snagging inspection usually is, because defects raised within the developer's snagging period are far easier to get resolved than ones raised afterwards.
Should I get a survey if the seller has already had one done?
A survey commissioned by the seller is prepared for the seller. Unless it is formally assigned to you, you have no standing to rely on it, and its scope may not cover the things you care about.
Will a survey tell me whether I can remove a wall?
It can flag whether a wall appears to be load bearing and what the likely implications are, but forming an opening needs a structural design and calculations of its own. A survey is the right place to find out whether the idea is realistic before you commit.
Can you inspect a property I have already bought?
Yes. A survey after purchase is common where a defect has appeared, where an alteration is planned, or where a previous owner's work needs assessing before further work is designed.
How long does a survey take and when will I get the report?
The inspection itself depends on the size and complexity of the property. The report follows the inspection, and we agree the timescale up front so it fits your transaction rather than holding it up.
What is the difference between a homebuyer survey and a full building survey?
A homebuyer survey is a proportionate inspection suited to a conventional property in reasonable condition. A full building survey is considerably more detailed and is the right choice for older, extended, altered or unusual buildings, where the construction itself needs investigating rather than simply assessing.
Where we work
Property Surveys by Town
Pick your town for the local planning authority, the housing stock, the ground conditions and what each of those means for a project at your address.
Our other services
Talk it through first
Property Surveys
Tell us about the property and what you want it to do. We will set out the scope, the approval route and a written price after a site visit. Our office is at First Floor, 30 Reading Road South, Fleet, GU52 7QL.