Your home is likely to be the biggest investment of your life, yet many buyers do not commission an independent survey on its condition.

Did you know? Although your lender will usually require you to pay for a valuation report, it only answers the lender's questions about the appropriate security of your loan. Although it is often called a 'survey' this is incorrect.

You cannot rely on it to highlight any defects or provide you with a detailed report on the condition of the property.

Both Which? and the Council of Mortgage Lenders advise that all buyers should commission an independent survey and report on the condition of a property before buying.

Which? found that for those people who did not get a survey, on average one in four had to spend over £2,500 to put serious defects right which would have been identified in a condition report. For one in ten people it was over £10,000. By contrast, those who did get a proper survey were able to negotiate a reduction in the asking price of the property that averaged £2,000.

Home Condition Survey

A fast and comprehensive service to inspect your new home to identify repairs that are likely to affect your decision to purchase. Carried out by a fully qualified and accredited residential surveyor, it gives you a plain English, professional report on the condition of the property using a simple 1,2,3 rating guide. You will understand any risks or unforeseen expenditure that could crop up when you are settled in.

Peace of Mind

• Identify major problems with the home you are buying.
• Highlight any hidden areas of possible concern that need further investigation.
• Help you plan for future expenditure.
• Carried out by accredited and comprehensively trained and insured surveyors.

The Sava Home Condition Survey (HCS) contains information about -

• Building condition and defects.
• Structural Movement.
• Damp, Rot and Woodworm.
• Heating, Water and Electrical Services.
• Alterations and Additions.
• Matters for your conveyancer.
• Rebuilding cost for Building Insurance.

Suitability.

The Home Condition Survey is suitable for conventionally built properties and those which were built in the last 80 or so years. For properties which are older, listed, thatched, system built (including pre-fabs) or are built using non-conventional materials you may need a full building survey. We would also recommend a full building survey for properties which have undergone structural conversion ( barn conversions for example) or for properties you wish to do major alterations to. In both theses cases you may need a more detailed structural report.

When and How to Instruct us.

You should instruct us to carry out the survey as soon as your offer has been accepted, this allows time to arrange the inspection and for you to act on it if necessary. As soon as we receive your instruction we will send out our terms and contract document which you must sign and return to us. We will then contact the selling agent or the property owner and arrange a time to call and carry out the survey.

How long does it take?

We would expect to be at the property for 3 to 4 hours depending on the size and access arrangements. We will then consider our findings and write the report which we would expect to send to you with 48 hours. We will send a printed copy but can email it to you in addition if you need to see the report sooner. We can also copy in your solicitor if instructed.

Who is SAVA?

SAVA stands for Surveyors and Valuers Accreditation. They ensure that their members are subject to rigorous quality assurance procedures and have in place clear complaints procedures to protect the public. They are part of National energy Services, a long standing company in the energy efficiency field. They are the UK's home for independent Energy Assessors, Home Inspectors, Surveyors and Low Carbon Professionals.

To arrange your Home Condition Survey call us on 01452 421002.