How to Find and Choose a Surveyor

Once you have had an offer accepted on your dream property, you need to find a surveyor. While your mortgage lenders will appoint their own surveyor to value the property, it is worth sending your own along to carry out a more thorough search for you independently. A survey will give you a clear idea of the state of the property and can save you money down the line if you need to make repairs. It can also be a useful bargaining chip to negotiate a lower price.

Which survey do you need?

Before you choose a surveyor, make sure you know what type of survey you need. There are three levels of homebuyer survey:

• Level 1 – Condition Report
• Level 2 – Homebuyer Report
• Level 3 – Building Survey

The Condition Report is the most basic, and this is based solely on the property’s condition and does not include any advice. The Condition Report may be satisfactory for sellers or buyers of new properties, but most people prefer the assurance of a Homebuyer Report or Building Survey, which both offer advice and information about the state of the house or flat.

The one that is right for you will depend on the age of the property, the properties condition and whether there has been major renovation works made to the property.

How can you choose the right surveyor?

Buying a property is probably the biggest purchase you will make; choosing a good surveyor will give you peace of mind that the property you are buying is a decent investment.

But how do you find a good surveyor?

RICS Regulated

Make sure you choose someone who is registered with the Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This means that the surveyor you choose will have to adhere to a strict code of conduct, and if you do have issues with the service you receive, you can contact RICS.

Local knowledge

Choose a surveyor who has a good knowledge of your local area and the style of house you are buying. If you are buying a more unusual type of property, such as a listed building or one that has been constructed in an uncommon way, it is a good idea to choose a surveyor who specialises in the property type.

Recommendations

To find a reputable surveyor in your area, ask your mortgage lender, financial advisor, estate agent and friends if they have any recommendations.

You can also check online reviews on Google, Feefo or Trust Pilot.

Availability

Before you appoint your surveyor, make sure they know when you need the survey to be completed so you know they can fit you into their workload.

What will you get from your surveyor?

Clarify precisely the level of detail the survey will go into and make sure that you will be able to understand the report you receive. Ask to see examples of their past reports so you can determine if that sort of information will be useful to you. Ensure the reports are written in clear, straightforward language with minimal jargon.

Price

The price will depend on the size of the property you are buying and survey costs can vary a lot. Get quotes from at least three different surveyors but don’t necessarily go for the cheapest one as this may indicate a poorer service.

If you would like more information about how to find a surveyor in London and the UK, call Kubie Gold on 020 3936 8048 today.