As part of the architectural services offered by many
builders in Reigate and Horsham, surveys are often the starting point of many building
projects, including house and property extensions.
Building surveys are a way of providing detailed advice to a
home buyer or investor and are typically usually around 20 pages long. They are essential for properties over 150
years’ old, larger homes with more than 5 bedrooms, and for buildings that
include non-conventional construction features or methods.
As well as providing details about any urgent or significant
defects, a Building Survey will also include information on a range of less
serious items. If a valuation is needed,
it usually needs to be requested.
Homebuyer Survey from Builders in Horsham
This is by far the most popular type of survey commissioned by
builders in Horsham and is appropriate for the majority of homes built since
the 1880’s. The survey looks at the whole property, inside and out and is written
on an RICS report format.
To make things easier for the home buyer, an easy to follow ‘traffic
light’ is included that has a ‘Condition
Rating’ of 1, 2 or 3.
The HomeBuyer - Report
will point out any significant defects, and anything that could affect the
value of the property. It will also alert the home buyer about any future
maintenance problems that show up. A valuation and insurance calculation can
also be included. This not usually the
right type of report for older period buildings, large houses, rambling
mansions, or buildings in need of extensive renovation.
Valuation Report
- This is the simplest type of building inspection and simply offers a market
valuation. It is relatively limited as
it only comments on defects that have a major bearing on value. When produced
by a chartered surveyor the report has legal status, unlike reports produced by
unqualified estate agents. They are ideal for use in tax and matrimonial cases,
or working out ‘Help To Buy’ shared equity loans.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for Sussex for Design and Build Solutions in Sussex
An EPC for home sellers or those seeking design and build solutions
in Sussex, are now legally required in the UK before marketing a property. Landlords must also provide an EPC when
letting a property. The EPC uses an ‘A
to G’ energy rating, similar to those on new white goods, and can only be
issues by certificated Domestic Energy Assessors.
Condition Reports – A
form of budget survey, condition reports are less much less detailed than a
Homebuyers reports. They were originally
brought in to help sellers identify defects prior to putting their building and
properties on the market, but nowadays are now usually commissioned by buyers
who want more information than provided by their lender’s mortgage valuation.
The reports are prepared by accredited Home Inspectors, who may
not be qualified chartered surveyors. Unlike Building Surveys and Homebuyer
reports they don’t go into detail on the causes of defects or provide advice on
suggested repairs, and they don’t include a valuation or insurance
reinstatement figures. These are simply straightforward surveys suitable for
more modern houses where no significant problems are thought to exist.
Scotland Home Survey
- A Home Report is required by law for the majority of homes for sale in
Scotland, so does not apply to builders in Horsham or Reigate. They are only permitted to be carries out by,
along with the valuation and energy report and are similar to the popular RICS
Homebuyer report used elsewhere in the UK.
Architectural Services in Crawley - Historic Property Surveys
If you are considering the purchase of a listed building, or
one that’s very old, help from an expert could be useful. This is especially true if your architectural
services in Crawley are looking at making alterations, building an extension or
carrying out repair work. A Building
Surveyor who specialises in historic and listed buildings would undertake this
type of survey, and will take account of the traditional materials and
techniques originally used in the construction of the building.
Structural Engineers
Report - If your home is showing serious cracking, possible subsidence or
serious bowing to the roof, then it is sensible to appoint a Structural
Engineer to survey the building. This is especially true if the problem in just
a single area and the whole building doea not need to be assessed. They are
also the right expert to provide services in relation to making structural
alterations and the design of new buildings.
Party Wall Surveys - The
Party Wall Act defines the rules concerning building work to a wall that
separates a house from a neighbour’s property, as well as construction work close
to a boundary. This could be the
erection of a new building, changes to an existing property or excavating
within 6 metres of an adjoining property or boundary.
Architectural Design Services by Builders in Reigate and Horsham
Architectural design services provided by builders in
Reigate and Horsham can help you with a full range of building projects, from
extensions to new build homes. While qualified
architects are members of RIBA, choosing a professional designer to draw up
your plans doesn’t always mean you have to appoint an architect. Some building surveyors are able to provide
architectural services, and as well as drawing up plans can write the
specification and tender the job.