Whether you are moving to Birmingham or relocating from within the area, you’ll want to know what you are buying before committing to a house purchase. For this reason, there are a number of home surveys that are available to you. In this blog we will outline the options in terms of the reports you can request and explain why, when looking for a house survey in Birmingham, it’s best to choose a local surveyor.
Choosing the right house survey in Birmingham
Once your offer has been accepted and you’ve got your mortgage set up, you’ll need to instruct a surveyor to carry out a home buyers survey. If your surveyor is Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) approved then you’ll have 3 options:
Home Survey Level 1 (Condition Report) - if you’re buying or selling a conventional property, made from conventional materials and you don’t need a valuation or advice on ongoing repairs or maintenance, then a level 1 home survey should suffice. Whilst less comprehensive than the level 2 or 3 survey, it still provides traffic light ratings to show the condition of various parts of the building and grounds, a summary of risks and the relative importance of any problems highlighted.
Home Survey Level 2 (Homebuyer Report) - if you want more in depth information when buying or selling a conventional property, then a level 2 home survey provides a more extensive visual survey of the property and grounds. Concealed areas such as cellars, basements and lofts are included in the inspection where feasible, and if you choose to have the survey and valuation you’ll get the surveyor’s professional opinion on the market value of the property.
Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey) - this is the most comprehensive of all the home surveys and is generally recommended if you are buying a property that is in need of repair or has been built with unconventional materials. The report will include detailed information about the structure and condition of the property, as well as the condition and relative importance of any problems highlighted. In addition, this survey will outline scope of any remedial work, detail the consequences of not carrying out the repairs and make recommendations for the priority and likely timescales of any work needed.
Of course, the cost of the survey will increase with the level of detail you require, but not having one could result in further expense in the future. According to research carried out by RICS, around 20% of those who don't have a survey end up discovering faults and problems later on, which cost an average of £6000 to resolve.
Why use a local surveyor?
It is always beneficial to use a local surveyor when booking a home survey. This is because they will have experience of working with properties and homebuyers in the area already and thus will be familiar with local building styles, materials and property developments. You may also find a local surveyor is more readily available since they can easily travel to the property in question.
Book your building survey in Birmingham
If you need to book a home buyers survey in Sutton Coldfield or Birmingham, for a property that you are hoping to purchase in the area, you have come to the right place. At JTM Building Consultancy, we are placed in the heart of Sutton Coldfield and cover the whole of the Birmingham area, providing residential surveying services to meet your requirements.
We understand the area and its properties and are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). To book your house survey in Birmingham please get in touch or call us on 0121 758 8723 if you’d like more information.