RICS Level 3 Building Surveys In London
Buying a property is a stressful process, but buying a property whose condition you aren’t fully aware of can have dramatic consequences down the line. The RICS Building Survey is ideal for peace of mind on any property, especially a property that needs a lot of work or one that you want to make major alterations to.
A RICS Level 3 Building Survey is the most detailed of our property surveys. It is sometimes referred to as a Level Three survey. The Building Survey gives you a thorough assessment of the structure, condition and construction of a property, as well as technical advice on any repairs needed.
If your property was built more than 100 years ago, is listed, has had alterations, or is not in good condition, you will need a building survey.
Providing helpful guidance
At Barnes & Barnes, we pride ourselves on providing great customer service. At every stage, you’ll be liaising with a dedicated, friendly, and efficient team of professionals who understand the pressures of buying a home and paying the right price.
Giving you the information you need about the property
We aim is to provide the information you need to make an informed decision about your new home and make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Initial findings straight after the survey
Before a RICS level 3 Building Survey inspection, our team will ask if you have any particular concerns about the property. We know you’ll want to hear from your surveyor once they’ve been to the property, so we offer a post-survey call where you can talk to your surveyor about the key findings before the final report is sent out.
What does a RICS Level 3 Building Survey Contain?
A RICS Building Survey is a detailed assessment of the structure and the construction methods used in a property. Beginning with a visual inspection and delving deeper into any potential issues, the RICS Building Survey Report will identify any serious defects or problems with the property, and gives you technical advice on how these problems should be solved.
The Survey also advises on future maintenance issues, so that you can plan ahead, and highlights any potential legal issues that you might want your solicitor to investigate.
After discussions with you, one of our Chartered Surveyors will inspect the property and compile a RICS Building Survey Report. This Report is tailored to your specific requirements and follows best practice guidelines from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. A Sample Report is available here.
You can also add a market valuation, for a small additional fee. This is an accurate idea of the market value of a property based on the survey’s findings. As well as a market valuation, you can add a reinstatement cost assessment, for a small additional fee. This is the estimated cost of rebuilding a property in the event of a total loss or substantial damage to a property that requires demolition and rebuilding.
FAQs
Is a RICS Level 3 Building Survey Right For Me?
We recommend the RICS level 3 building survey if:
- The property is in poor condition, or
- It is more than 100 years old, or
- It has been built using unconventional methods or materials, or
- It has already been significantly altered or extended, or
- You want to make major alterations to the property
If you aren’t sure if the RICS level 3 Building Survey is right for you, visit our RICS Property Survey Comparison here or call our team on 0207 737 7243.
A number of standard-setting and consumer organisations (including Which? and The Council of Mortgage Lenders) recommend getting an independent home survey before committing to purchasing a property.
Why Do I Need A RICS Level 3 Building Survey?
The RICS Building Survey is ideal for peace of mind on any property, especially a property that needs a lot of work or one that you want to make major alterations to. The RICS Building Survey provides the detailed assessment and technical advice you need to aid your buying decision.
A number of standard-setting and consumer organisations (including Which? and The Council of Mortgage Lenders) recommend getting an independent home survey before committing to purchasing a property.
How Much Does A RICS Building Survey Cost?
The RICS Building Survey starts from £1,000 + VAT. The final cost depends largely on the size of the property and its condition.
How Long Does A RICS Building Survey Take?
We know you want to know about the property as soon as possible, that’s why we offer a post survey call, so you can talk to the surveyor about the initial findings usually within 24 hours. The full RICS Building Survey Report is usually available within 10 working days from the survey.
Do you include an inspection of gas and electrics as part of the survey?
An electrical or gas safety check isn’t typically included in your standard homebuyer or building survey, but the surveyor will give you an overall view of the electrics and gas. Services are generally hidden within the construction of the property. This means that we can only inspect the visible parts of the available services, and we do not carry out specialist tests.
We would always recommend testing these services to ensure your safety and peace of mind. If you would like us to help arrange tests with our tried and trusted contractors then please get in touch with a member of our team who would be delighted to assist.
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