FREQUENTLY ASKED
questions
General
What are your fees?
We operate a transparent pricing structure which we believe is great value for the professional, speedy, and accurate service we offer. We base our fees on the size and value of the property, as well as the location and complexity of the instruction.
For an exact instate quote please visit our Quotation page and select the service you require.
How quickly will I receive my report?
The short answer is quickly. We endeavour to turnaround all our survey reports within 24-48 hours of our inspection. We will also give you a call or video summary following the survey just to keep you in the loop. Our valuation reports are normally available within 5 working days of our inspection. Of course these timescales can be delayed if we are awaiting further information or it is a particularly large or complex report.
Will the surveyor by an RICS qualified surveyor?
Yes all of our surveyors are RICS qualified surveyors and registered valuers, experienced in an array of surveying, valuation and party wall matters across London and Surrey.
What type of survey should I have?
This really depends on the type or property. Our Building Survey is the most detailed and thorough report suitable for all properties but specifically those that are older, extended, larger or in poorer condition. The Building Survey includes photographs and quotes where appropriate and we will use a Pole Camera to access any areas that are not visible from the ground. The RICS HomeBuyer report is a more economic report focussing on the main issues only and this is more suitable for modern and unaltered flats and smaller houses. If you are buying a new build property a snagging list is a great way to highlight any defects and issues with the finish
Does the survey report include photographs and quotes?
All our building survey and roof survey reports include detailed photographs and where possible we will use a Pole Camera to access any hidden areas such as flat roofs. We will provide ‘rough costings’ for works where appropriate to provide context to the issues. These are very much ballpark figures based on our own experiences and you should always follow these up with formal quotations from contractors. The HomeBuyer report does not include photographs, detailed repair recommendations or costings and if this is a concern you should upgrade to a Building Survey.
Can I attend the survey inspection with the surveyor?
Our survey inspection are extremely thorough and require a great level of focus and concentration to ensure we do not miss anything. However, we are always more than happy to meet you on site at the end of the inspection or arrange follow-up calls to discuss our findings, just let your surveyor know this in advance.
Does the survey include a market valuation, floor area measurements or an insurance reinstatement assessment?
Not normally no, but these services are available for an additional fee. Just ask and we will be more than happy to discuss this.
Will you test the electrics, gas, heating and drains during the survey?
We will undertake a visual inspection of the services and comment on any obvious defects. But as you will hopefully understand, we are not qualified electricians, gas engineers or drainage contractors and are therefore not qualified to test or comment in detail upon the services within the building. Elements such as the wiring, plumbing and underground drainage are often hidden and therefore cannot be fully visually inspected.
We do however work closely with a number of electricians, gas engineers/plumbers, and drainage contractors and are more than happy to help arrange tests. We would always recommend having these additional tests as faulty wiring, leaking plumbing or blocked drains can often go unidentified resulting in costly repairs. An electrical safety test typically costs £150-£300, a gas safety test approximately £75-£100 and a CCTV drainage survey approximately £200.