Experienced Building Surveyors in St Albans

A professional survey roots out any underlying property issues, enabling you to make an informed choice when negotiating with the seller. This, in turn, could potentially save you thousands of pounds in repair work down the line.

Surveys are required for all types of properties, including new-build homes, listed buildings and commercial premises. Since damp, subsidence and hidden construction issues aren’t always apparent, an expert assessment can substantially help.

Older, period or character properties may benefit from a more detailed Building Survey, particularly where the property has been extended, altered or shows signs of defects. The right survey will depend on the property’s age, condition and construction.

A survey can still be valuable when buying a flat, as it can identify visible defects within the property and highlight issues that may require further investigation. The type of survey needed will depend on the age, construction and apparent condition of the building.

Our Home Condition Report involves a detailed inspection of the property’s visible and accessible features. We highlight all defects and concerns, providing expert advice on how to address them. The purpose of the survey is to provide buyers with more detail about the property, so they can then make an informed decision – whether that be renegotiating the asking price, asking the seller to complete any urgent work, or simply walking away from the deal.

All our Home Condition Reports are performed by SAVA-certified surveyors and are regularly audited to ensure the highest level of quality service. We are committed to providing our customers with cost-effective surveys, using our extensive experience and knowledge of the local area to deliver a top-quality service.

Our Home Condition Surveys routinely include, but are not limited to:

• Chimney Stack
• Drains and Pipes
• Roof and Coverings
• External Walls
• Windows and Doors
• Fascia Bargeboards
• Patios and Ponds
• Fences and Garden Walls
• Floor and Skirting
• Walls & Plaster
• Bathroom and Kitchen
• Cupboards and Shelving
• Dampness
• Electrics, Gas & Oil
• Electric Heating

A survey may identify defects or repairs that were not apparent when the offer was made. Buyers can use this information when deciding whether to continue with the purchase, request further investigation or discuss the price with the seller. A survey does not guarantee that a seller will agree to renegotiate.

It is usually sensible to arrange the survey once an offer has been accepted and before exchange of contracts, allowing time to understand any issues and make further enquiries if necessary.

The time required will depend on the size, age and complexity of the property and the type of survey being carried out. Larger, older or more unusual properties will generally require a more detailed inspection than a straightforward modern home.

Case Study – Semi Detached

We recently carried out a Building Survey on a semi-detached, four-bedroom property in St. Albans. Our investigation included an overview of the building’s construction and its connected utility services, as well as a brief background check.

The main issues we identified at this address were cracks in the external render of the kitchen and fourth bedroom, and the presence of damp. To help the potential buyer, we highlighted these concerns in the summary of major issues section on the fourteenth page of the report, covering them in more detail in section 4.4 and 5.3. We included a thorough explanation of the faults identified and the actions required to rectify them.

This report also contained a breakdown of the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and information regarding the electrical supply and circuits in the building. Overall, we found the property to be in good condition, but there were additional areas identified where improvements could be made. To see a full copy of this Building Survey for yourself, take a look at the image below.

Case Study – End-Of-Terrace House

We recently conducted a Building Survey at an end-of-terrace house in St Albans. The property was built in the 1900s and featured single-glaze sash windows and suspended timber flooring. The loft had been converted into a functional room in 2009 and a kitchen extension was added five years later in 2014.

As you will be able to see from the comprehensive report below, several concerns were highlighted regarding the property’s external features. The majority of these were typical of the building’s age and construction, easily rectified with some straightforward remedial work. However, several of the issues identified left the property vulnerable to issues arising down the line, and urgent repair was needed on the roof. Having these issues identified in a pre-purchase survey enabled the buyer to renegotiate the sale price with the vendor.

The full report provided the potential buyer with details about every aspect of the property. This included how it was investigated, the current condition it is in, and the actions required to make it safe. This not only allowed the buyers to make a well-informed decision about whether to proceed with the sale or not, but it also provided them with professional guidance regarding the work required when they move in.