FAQ's
D C Home Surveys
Your Professional Friendly Local Surveyor
IS THE SELLER OF A HOUSE OBLIGED TO GIVE ME A SURVEY REPORT?
There is no requirement on the seller of a house to provide any guarantees whatsoever about the condition of the property. It’s a fact that many sellers will try to conceal defects be they major or minor, and it’s only when you move in that you find the big damp patch that was covered by the sofa when you viewed the house all those months ago. It’s a case of “buyer beware “, and getting a proper survey is the only way you’ll know for sure.
AM I OBLIGED TO GET A SURVEY DONE?
It’s entirely up to you whether you pay for a survey on your new home. But for every buyer who didn’t get a survey, 1 in 5 of them will spend almost £6000 putting right the defects they didn’t know about.
WHAT TYPE OF SURVEY DO I NEED?
If you’re buying the whole house (which presumably you are!) then you need a survey that looks at the whole house. It doesn’t matter what name is on the front of the survey report, unless it’s a complete and thorough inspection then it’s of limited value. DC Home Buyers Survey / Building Survey / or Buy to Let Survey will look at everything that can possibly and reasonably be inspected, and reports on all and any issues that might be relevant.
I'VE FOUND ANOTHER SURVEYOR WHO OFFERS A CHEAPER SERVICE.
As with any service there are different levels of quality. I will endeavour to provide you with the best level of customer service and value for money. I take personal pride in providing you with a report that answers all of your questions clearly and accurately. I make sure that I have the time available to do the job properly, and once you receive your report am always happy to talk through the issues that are raised.
THE HOUSE I’M BUYING IS NEW OR ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. I DON’T NEED A SURVEY, DO I?
Many new properties come with an NHBC guarantee. But this only covers parts of the building, such as the gas and electric’s, for 2, or 3 years. And even though it may cover the main building for 10 years, making a claim can often be an expensive and difficult process, and probably comes with an excess of £1000 in any case. A thorough survey will almost certainly cost less than this and will give you peace of mind to know that the home you’re buying is free from major defects and worries.
I’M BUYING A FLAT. DOES THAT NEED A SURVEY?
Most flats are bought on a leasehold basis. Although you may also buy a share of the freehold, you will still be responsible for a portion of the costs of the repairs to common parts of the property or block. Often the cost of repairs will be covered within the service charge, but sometimes more significant repairs are required and you will be asked for an additional contribution. So, it’s important for you to know, not just the condition of the flat you’re buying, but to get an idea of whether more significant repairs are required which could land you with a big unexpected bill. Our survey looks in detail at the flat you’re buying, but also includes a general inspection of the common parts to gain an overall impression of the condition.