As a professional practice of Chartered Surveyors and Valuers we have wide experience in the valuation and survey of a wide range of differing types and styles of both residential and commercial property. We conduct formal written valuations on behalf of both Banks and Building Societies for lending purposes as well as for clients requiring valuations covering Purchase, Probate, Divorce and Taxation. For further information contact our Lincoln or Horncastle offices.

 The Survey & Valuation options for Homebuyers.

1. The RICS Homebuyer Survey & Valuation Report

Why do you need a Survey and Valuation?

Is the sale price agreed reasonable? Are there any drawbacks you do not know about? If there are structural problems, what should you do about them? By having a report of this nature carried out you have the opportunity avoiding costly surprises at a later date.

What types of property is it designed to cover?

It is only intended for houses, bungalows and flats, which are of conventional construction and apparently in reasonable condition.

It focuses on the “essentials.”

The report looks at defects and problems which are ‘Urgent’ and ‘Significant’ and thus have an effect on the value of the property – although it includes much other valuable information.

This is an economy package.

This is a mid-range priced survey, more expensive than a Mortgage Report & Valuation but cheaper than a Structural Survey.

The Surveyors' Objectives.

To make a reasoned and informed judgement on whether or not you should proceed with the purchase, assess whether or not the property is a reasonable purchase at the price agreed and indicate what decisions and actions should be taken before exchange of contracts.

Looking ahead to future resale.

An opinion is given on the particular features of the property, which affect its future resale and its present value.

A Concise Report.

It covers the building inside and out, the services and the site, urgent and significant defects and the problems as well as general condition and the features of the property; legal considerations for your solicitor to clarify and other relevant considerations such as safety, the location, the environment, or perhaps insurance.

Matters not Significant or Urgent.

These are ‘not’ included in the report, but the Surveyor will mention the matters judged to be helpful or constructive.

Do you have a particular Concern?

Where you have a particular concern, for example as to whether the property can be used for a particular use, this can be agreed with the Surveyor as something for him to consider during his inspection, for later comment in his report.

Take Action!

Where you need to take action before you complete purchase this will be clearly signalled in the text of the report, in the Summary of the action and other key considerations.

2. A Report & Valuation

Simple and Quick

In format this style of report is the same as the Mortgage Valuation report that you would receive from a bank or building society when buying a home. It provides a very brief comment on the condition of the property and market and insurance valuations. The report is designed for use when the question of value is of the highest priority and the condition of the property is known or of lower priority.

Low Cost High Value Service

The brief nature of the report means that the fee is lower and comparable to that charged by the mortgage lenders.

3. Structural Engineers Report / Building Survey

These Surveys tend to be initiated when a building is suffering from structural defects, the building is of complex construction, or it is intended to carry out substantial structural alterations or extensions to the property. They provide the client with an assessment of the structure and condition and provide technical advice on remedial works.

They are a lengthy and more costly report as a consequence of the detailed nature of the inspection, and the evaluation of the property. However, they are also often used in a more economic way to focus on a particular defect in the property, for example, structural movement to one wall of a house.

We can recommend local Structural Engineers or Building Surveyors for our clients should they require this service.