Surveys

An important part of reaching an informed decision on expenditure as large as a property purchase is to invest in a survey.

Surveys are sometimes referred to as – Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

Level 1 is the inspection made during a mortgage valuation. It typically lasts less than an hour and is aimed at letting the Lender know if there is anything obvious that would affect the Lender's wish to lend. Almost always the report is commissioned by the finance provider and, very often, the mortgagee (purchaser) doesn't get to see the surveyor's report.

Level 2 is the HomeBuyer Report. More recently level 2 has also included  a  survey called the Home Condition Report (HCR) which was planned to be included in the Home Information Pack provided by the vendor. Very few vendors have taken up this survey.

As far as Ashley Building Consultants is concerned, the RICS HomeBuyer Report is a better product than the HCR and is the standard Level 2 survey offered to Clients.

Typically, the fee is between £300 and £500 depending on the size and type of property.

Level 3 is the Building Survey or, as it used to be known, the Structural Survey. This survey report provides more detail on any problems discovered and is useful for when Clients know, or suspect, that there is work to be done and need to know just what they are in for.

Typically, the fee is between £600 and £1000 depending on the size and type of property and on what is required.

Ashley Building Consultants is not VAT registered and this can make a useful saving on fees actually paid.