Building Surveys

Level 3 Full Building Survey ( formerly a Structural Survey ) is typically for older properties.

A detailed report on the property by a qualified experienced building surveyor, examining the construction, structure and condition of the building and external grounds and any out buildings, noting defects and highlighting significant problems of which the client may be unaware.

Level 2 Building Inspection Condition Survey usually for newer houses, flats and local Authority sales.

Based on our full structural survey but in slightly less detail due to age, nature of construction and multi occupancy.

The identified defects and cost implications can result in the prospective purchaser, not only renegotiating their offer prior to legal commitment but also avoiding substantial, unforeseen future expense.

S W Hirons and Associates will advise to the best survey option and tailor surveys to clients' specific requirements.

On your instruction we will contact the agents to arrange access.

We will contact you after the survey with our initial thoughts highlighting any concerns.

Fully written report to follow normally within 5 working days.

Our reports are without using overly technical terminology.

We actively encourage clients to contact us on receipt of the survey to clarify any raised issues and provide further advice to resolve.

Call us for a chat to see how we can best help you.

Level 3 Full Building Surveys

Normally for older properties due to nature of construction

Externally

Roof and roof coverings including chimney stacks and flashings.
Parapet and Party Wall construction with legal considerations.
Gutters and downpipe integrity.
Main walls. Quality of brickwork, mortar joints and pointing.
Render and Pebble-dash integrity.
Damp proof course.
Damp readings.
Windows and external joinery.
External finishes and decoration.
Boundaries and external enclosed areas.
Proximity of trees and Japanese knotweed.

Internally

Roof Timbers and roof voids, requirements to insulation and ventilation.
Carpentry and quality of joinery finishes.
Floor and ceiling construction.
Floor coverings and finishes.
Decoration and quality of under-lying finishes.
Kitchen and sanitaryware.
Heating and plumbing systems.
Electrical installation, services and utilities.
Damp readings.
Wall & partitions, construction and load bearing capability and quality of plaster finishes.

Our detailed survey report

Highlights structural defects.
Visual inspection of electrical, gas and water supplies and building regulation compliance.
Includes recommendations and estimated costs to identified defects and required works.
Indication to urgency and potential future issues.
Recommendations to legal and lease considerations to be copied to your solicitor to clarify raised issues.
Design options to internal wall removal on structural or timber stud construction.
Fire compliance to internal wall removal.

S W Hirons and Associates structure surveys to property type and client's specific requirements.

Level 2 Building Condition Inspection Surveys

Normally for newer built houses, flats in apartment blocks and Local Authority Sales

Based on our full level 3 structural survey, but in slightly less detail due to age, nature of construction and multi occupancy.

It is a fully written report with recommendations to identified defects and estimated costs.

It is similar to a Homebuyers report but in greater detail.

Homebuyers are basically pre-printed sheets providing little detailed inspection or analysis to structure or design options to internal structural wall removal or fire compliance which our report does cover.

As such we do not offer this option.