What you need to consider when arranging a building survey or structural survey of your house prior to purchase.

When you are buying a home it is important to get a surveyor's report about the property's overall condition. A surveyor is a qualified building inspector and should be a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

A full building survey will examine all accessible parts of the property - and you can ask to have specific areas included if you have any particular concerns.

Key Fact

The surveyor will check the property thoroughly, looking at everything that is visible or easily accessible to examine the soundness of the structure, its general condition and all major or minor faults.

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Detailed Structural Survey - Building Survey

The valuation survey carried out by your mortgage company is a basic survey that will only give you a general overview of the property. For a more detailed building survey you should consider a full structural survey, which although expensive, will give you peace of mind. Shop around and get plenty of quotes, as prices can vary (budget for £400 - £1,000 depending on the size and value of the property).

If you are purchasing one of the following then a detailed structural survey is vital:

  • A building which is very old, dilapidated or listed
  • Buildings of unusual construction
  • Properties that have had extensive alterations or require major alterations
  • Renovation properties

More specialist surveys can also be carried out on aspects such as foundations, damp proofing, or tree roots, either by a specialist within the firm of surveyors or by an independent specialist surveyor.

The report you receive will be extremely thorough and very long, as surveyors are legally obliged to inform you of all the findings of the survey. The report will cover:

  • The location and technical information on the construction of the property and the materials used
  • Major and minor defects and what they could mean and the possible cost of repairs
  • Results of damp testing on walls Damage to timbers - including woodworm and rot
  • The condition of damp-proofing, insulation and drainage (though drains aren’t tested)

Don't be put off by a long list of minor defects. Surveyors try and cover themselves and tend to show the worst-case scenario for anything they discover. From a safety point of view, surveyors and structural engineers tend to err heavily on the side of caution. Much of the repair work that they advise is unnecessary. A building survey dose not include a valuation, but your surveyor can provide this separately if you need one.

If, as a result of carrying out the survey, your surveyor suspects that the property may have a structural defect he may advise you to commission a specialist structural engineer's report . The cost of a structural engineer's report will vary considerably according to the nature of the fault that they are investigating. Ask for a quote before you proceed. If you need a structural engineers report you should consider the purchase very carefully. Any major structural defect defect is likely to reduce future saleability as the property may be difficult to mortgage.

It is not hard to find a surveying company. Asking for recommendations from your lender, solicitor or estate agent is probably the easiest way of finding a reliable surveyor, or you could contact one of the professional trade associations for details of surveyors in your area. The Yellow Pages also lists many surveyors. If you need a specialist survey, make sure you instruct a surveyor with expertise in the relevant area.