Building Surveys
Building Survey Expertise
Record Associates are a firm of Chartered Building Surveyors who routinely undertake the full range of building surveys of Residential and Commercial property in accordance with the latest RICS guidance across Shropshire, Mid Wales and the West Midlands.
Buying a property is a significant investment so the relatively small cost of a survey in relation to the asset value is a small investment to make in order to ensure there are no costly hidden issues. We have successfully advised clients on a range of significant issues, which have resulted in significant price reductions and paid for the survey many times over. At the very least it is peace of mind.
Residential Building Surveys
Residential Building Surveys are now covered by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) Home Survey Standard which was introduced in November 2019 and replaces and harmonises previous RICS publications.
This professional statement sets out three levels of building survey:
Level 1 – Equivalent to old RICS Condition Survey
Level 2 – Equivalent to old RICS Homebuyer Survey; and
Level 3 – Equivalent to old RICS Building Survey
Each of the surveys may be undertaken with or without a market valuation and building reinstatement valuation.
As a firm of Chartered Building Surveyors our skills and experience are suited to undertaking Level 3 building surveys which are aimed towards older, more complicated properties such as listed buildings, non-traditional properties, properties which are in significant disrepair or properties where significant alterations are planned. These surveys can also be customised to suit clients needs and address specific concerns. Level 3 surveys are routinely undertaken by Chartered Building Surveyors such as ourselves.
A Level 2 survey is typically used where a detailed assessment is not required, the property is relatively modern, is of standard construction and no significant interior alterations have been carried out nor are planned. The survey typically only looks at sample elements, so more limited than a Level 3 building survey and the style of reporting is far briefer, often with recommendations for further tests and investigations. Level 2 surveys are undertaken by a broader range of surveyors as these are less onerous. Our approach varies from the RICS guidance as we routinely undertake the survey component to Level 3 standards as we find that is more straight forward and we would NEVER recommend that an issue such as cracking is inspected by a Chartered Building Surveyor as we are Chartered Building Surveyors! Such recommendations are commonplace with the Level 2 survey so beware.
Further details can be obtained using the aforementioned link to the RICS website. Please also see our article “Commonly asked and tricky questions about Building Surveys”.
We routinely undertake building surveys in Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Bridgenorth, Much Wenlock, Church Stretton, Ludlow, Welshpool, Oswestry, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Shropshire and Mid Wales – though we have taken on larger commissions from further afield.
If you would like to discuss your situation on a confidential basis please contact our Julian Record and he would be delighted to assist.
Commercial Building Surveys
Commercial Building Surveys are covered by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) professional standard, Technical due diligence of commercial property, 1st edition.
Just as with buying a house, buying a commercial property is a major financial commitment and involves many subtle and not so subtle differences to home surveys. Crucially, there is far greater customisation due to the added complexities around buying a commercial property such as specialist access to view roof coverings, inspecting building services and a range of testing.
However, the need to commission a Building Survey should not be restricted to freehold acquisitions. The acquisition of leasehold accommodation also carries many risks and issues, notably the assessment of your future dilapidations liabilities so it is important that you are fully aware of the condition of the property and your associated repair and service charge liabilities under the lease. Having this knowledge enables clients to modify the lease to mitigate any ongoing liabilities.
It is therefore vital that you commission a Building Survey, Condition Survey or Photographic Schedule of Condition to provide assurance that there are no hidden issues prior to exchange of contracts. Such advice is often money well spent and can pay for itself many times over. At the very least it is peace of mind.
We cover a broad geographic area which includes Shropshire, Mid Wales and the West Midlands and all the major towns and cities including Shrewsbury, Telford, Welshpool, Chester, Wolverhampton and Birmingham – though we have taken on larger commissions from further afield.
If you would like to discuss your situation on a confidential basis please contact our Julian Record and he would be delighted to assist.
Why Choose Record Associates?
We can assist you with any plans you may have for the adaptation of the property including advice on the property development issues, the steps in the process, costs, timescales and the appointment of other advisors which we can either facilitate or if required appoint directly and offer a turn key service. Please visit our Track Records for details on some of the commissions we have undertaken.
We firmly believe that our services offer excellent value for money for the following reasons:
- Competitive pricing
- We are an independent practice offering the full range of Building Surveys from small modern properties to large listed period properties (>£1m)
- Your Building Survey would be undertaken by a Chartered Building Surveyor
- All Building Surveys are Director led with over 20 yrs experience in practice
- We provide a personal approach focused on providing assurance & guidance to clients
- All our Building Surveys are written in Plain English with a concise Key Issues Summary focusing in on the key elements with pragmatic advice on way forward
- We understand the need for a fast turnaround ensuring the Building Survey due diligence associated with the acquisition doesn’t hold up any key decision making or the purchase programme – Typically we will provide an oral report immediately after the survey and a written report within one week of the inspection
- Up to £2m Professional Indemnity Insurance and
- All our building survey reports are provided electronically (as a PDF)
Associated Services
In addition to our building surveys we can provide a range of additional services including:
- Construction Project Management
- Dilapidations consultancy
- Architectural Design
- Principal Designer
- Party Walls
- Market valuations
- Building reinstatement valuations
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