You will never make a more consequential financial decision than when you buy a home. In the midst of the thrill of home hunting, it is essential to do your homework, and a RICS building survey is an essential part of that. Compared to a typical mortgage appraisal, a RICS building survey gives a much more thorough evaluation of the property’s condition, revealing important details about its structural soundness, possible flaws, and general level of maintenance. In this post, we’ll go over the basics of getting a RICS building survey, including the scope, advantages, and interpretation of results.
The initial stage in arranging for a RICS building survey to be conducted is to select a competent surveyor. You can’t have this person on your team without their membership in the RICS. This certification guarantees that they are competent, ethical, and follow all applicable regulations when conducting inspections. After you and the surveyor have finalised the terms of engagement, the surveyor will provide you with an overview of the RICS building survey’s scope, costs, and report contents. To set reasonable expectations and make sure the RICS building survey takes into account your unique concerns regarding the property, this first conversation is crucial.
The RICS chartered surveyor will visit the site on the scheduled inspection day to conduct the in-depth evaluation. This is no quick stop; a thorough RICS building survey, tailored to the property’s age, size, and complexity, can easily consume multiple hours. The surveyor will methodically check the inside and outside of the structure, as well as any other accessible areas. This encompasses the entire structure, from the roof and chimneys to the gutters and outside walls as well as the foundations (where visible), windows, doors, interior walls, floors, and ceilings. It also includes any and all services, including plumbing, heating, electrical, and HVAC systems. Although destructive testing is not part of a RICS building survey, the surveyor will nevertheless utilise their training and experience to spot visible flaws and speculate on more serious problems.
The thoroughness of a RICS building survey is one of its distinguishing features. In contrast to more superficial evaluations, the RICS building survey thoroughly examines the property’s construction methods, materials, and possible weak spots. The RICS building survey will bring attention to the particular issues related to a property’s distinctive construction type, such a timber-framed building, for instance. The surveyor will evaluate the state of different components based on a straightforward grading system, usually using traffic light colours to denote the seriousness and urgency of problems. You, the client, will find it much simpler to understand the significance of the RICS building survey results after reading this.
The surveyor will write up a detailed report after the site examination. The RICS building survey will provide you with this comprehensive report within the agreed upon timeframe, typically within a few days to a week. You can expect a well-organised report that breaks down the results element by element or room by room. In each part, you’ll find information about the component’s state, an explanation of the flaws found, and some practical suggestions for fixing them. Even individuals without a technical background should be able to understand the RICS building survey with the help of the provided explanations of technical terms.
More than only the building’s structural integrity is covered in a RICS building survey. Dampness, wood flaws (like rot or woodworm), insulation, drainage, and other associated issues will also be noted by the surveyor. In addition to pointing out possible dangers and safety issues, they will also give the solicitor advice on legal issues such rights of way and restrictive covenants that need further investigation. An energy efficiency part of a RICS building survey will also include suggestions for how to make the property more efficient and cut down on utility bills in the long run. The RICS building survey is a great resource for potential purchasers because of its comprehensive approach.
The discovery of possible future spending is a major advantage of requesting a RICS building survey. Typically, the report will classify faults as either critical (needing immediate care), moderate (requiring repair or replacement in the medium term), or minor (needing long-term maintenance). That way, you may save up for any repairs that may be required and, most importantly, you’ll have solid evidence to renegotiate the purchase price with the seller. You can make a more educated offer with the information you get from a thorough RICS building survey, which might end up saving you thousands of pounds in unanticipated maintenance bills once you move in.
You should know what is normally not included in a RICS building survey. Although the surveyor will visually examine the plumbing and electrical systems, they do not possess the necessary qualifications to perform tests on these systems. If any issues are found during the RICS building survey, it will be recommended that skilled electricians and plumbers carry out specific tests. Also, the RICS building survey will not include invasive asbestos sampling, even though asbestos-containing items can be clearly identified. If further research by a specialist is warranted, the report will provide guidance on how to proceed.
When doing a RICS building survey, it is also important to think about the surveyor’s access restrictions. Heavy furniture or rugs that are fitted will not be moved by them. They will limit their inspections to easily accessible and secure areas. Explicitly noting any inaccessible places, the RICS building survey report will also advise on the possible ramifications and suggest further study if needed. You will be completely informed of any limits in the examination due to this transparency.
Talking to your surveyor about the results is a must after getting your RICS building survey report. They are more than happy to answer any questions, elaborate, and even provide ballpark figures for repairs when asked. In order to make educated decisions regarding the acquisition of your house, it is essential that you completely grasp the consequences of the RICS building survey, which is why this conversation is so important. If you need help understanding the report’s intricacies, your surveyor is available to answer any questions.
Finally, it is essential for every home buyer to engage in a RICS building survey. It gives you the peace of mind you deserve by giving you an expert opinion on your potential new home. You can negotiate better, plan ahead for repairs, and make a more educated decision with the help of a RICS building survey since it finds problems before they become expensive. The RICS building survey may seem like a lot of money up front, but it will guarantee that the property you buy is safe and sound and will save you a tonne of money in the long run.