There are a number of services that Clear Survey can provide. Most, though not all, concern themselves with residential properties. The extent of the inspection required, the age of the property, the form of construction as well as certain specific requirements will determine the most appropriate type of report suited to your needs.

 

The Building Survey

The Building Survey is known by many as a structural survey. It comprises a comprehensive inspection followed by a detailed written report. This type of survey is particularly suited to:

  • Older properties
  • Listed buildings
  • Buildings of unusual construction
  • Properties that are to be extended or significantly altered
  • Properties that have been altered or extended.  

All reasonably accessible parts of the property are examined. Particular attention can be paid to any areas of specific concern. The report can be tailored to your precise requirements. An example of a Building Survey Report can be seen here.

The Building Survey Report does not usually include a valuation but this can be integrated into the Report should you so wish.

 

The Homebuyers Report

The full name for this type of report is the RICS Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (HSV) it will be referred to either as the Homebuyers Report or the HSV.

The Homebuyers Report is most suitable for conventionally built properties constructed within the last 100 years or so. The Report focuses on urgent matters requiring immediate attention.

A Homebuyers Report includes comments on:

  • The general condition of the property
  • Serious defects in the accessible parts of the building, i.e. those that may affect its value
  • Urgent matters that need further investigation by a specialist
  • Damage caused by damp
  • Timber decay and infestation
  • The estimated cost of rebuilding the property for insurance purposes
  • The value of the property on the open market.

If there are any matters of specific concern they can often be incorporated within the report by separate arrangement.

 

The Valuation Report

This is the type of report required by mortgage lenders to ascertain the value of the property for mortgage security purposes. It is extremely limited in scope and contains little information regarding the condition of the property. Only serious defects that may adversely affect the value of the property will be reported. Even severe defects may go unreported if the loan amount is significantly below the value of the property.  Purchasers should not rely on the mortgage valuation report. It will provide little protection should a defect be discovered after purchase.

However, valuation reports are also required for many other reasons including probate valuations, portfolio valuations and relocation valuations and our valuation reports can be tailored to suit your requirements.

 

 Defect Investigation Reports

The causes of building damage are not always obvious. Further investigations are often required to establish the precise cause(s) so that appropriate remedial works can be specified and quantified. This is especially the case where the remedial works are to be funded by an insurance company or where a third party is responsible for the damage.

 

Schedules of Condition

Before letting a property it is prudent to identify its precise condition so that, at the end of the lease, any repairs that are required can be identified and responsibility for remedial works allocated

 

Development

If you are thinking of building  a new house or extending or altering your existing house certain consents and approvals will be required. These include planning permission and building regulation approval. If the property is listed, lies within a conservation area or if there are protected trees additional approvals will be needed.

Drawings and specifications will need to be prepared. Once approvals for the work have been obtained competitive tenders should be obtained from reputable contractors and the works supervised.

Clear Survey's professional staff have experience in all areas of development and can assist you with any part, or all, of the above.

 

Party Walls

The construction of a new building, or the extension of an existing one, will often require undertaking works that are close to, or directly include, the party wall(s).

 

Under the Party Wall Act there are statutory regulations with specific requirements for the building owner and certain rights for the adjoining owner(s).


Anyone intending to carry out work (The Building Owner) in England and Wales, must give their neighbour (The Adjoining Owner) notice of their intentions with regard to works that include the following:

  • New building works on, or including, the boundary between two properties.
  • Structural work affecting a shared/party wall, including repairs, alterations, extending or reducing the wall, cutting into the wall and underpinning.
  • Excavating, or constructing foundations, within three metres of an adjoining owners building where the new foundations will go deeper than the adjoining owners foundations.
  • Excavating, or constructing foundations, within six metres of an adjoining owners building where the new foundations will cut a line drawn downwards at 45 degrees from the bottom of the adjoining owners foundations.


The Building Owner must identify whether works to be undertaken are governed by the Party Wall Act. If so a statutory notice should be served on the adjoining owner and their agreement obtained, before the start of any work.

If the adjoining owners do not agree, in writing, an agreed surveyor should draw up a Party Wall Award. It is important that the surveyor is independent and should not be involved in the design or specification of the proposed works. If a surveyor cannot be agreed upon, then each side is required to appoint their own surveyor to prepare an award. The Award will set out what should, and should not, be undertaken in accordance with the Act.

The Adjoining Owner: Should your neighbour propose to carry out any work covered by the act, or you as an adjoining owner have received a written notice regarding proposed works then The Party Wall etc Act 1996 will apply.

Adjoining Owners should note that the primary purpose of the Act is to facilitate development. In return for rights to carry out certain works, the Building Owner must notify you in advance. They are made legally responsible for putting right any damage caused by carrying out the works, even if the damage is caused by their contractor.


You may agree to the works if you are happy with the proposals. If you do not agree, or if you ignore the notice, then you can either agree to a single surveyor being appointed, or appoint your own. If you do neither then a surveyor should be appointed for you by the owner carrying out the works. Where a surveyor is appointed, a schedule of condition of your property will be prepared (in case any damage is caused) and a Party Wall Award will be prepared. The owner who is carrying out the works normally pays the fees of the surveyors. Fees for such services vary according to the nature and extent of the works. It should be noted that any surveyor appointed under the Act is legally obliged to act independently regardless of who their fees are paid by .

Clear Survey's surveyors can assist you with regard to:

  • Evaluating the proposed plans.
  • Liaising with the architect or engineer if applicable.
  • Issuing all relevant notices.
  • The preparation of a schedule of condition.
  • Undertaking the role of the agreed surveyor.
  • Liaising with the adjoining owners surveyor for the completion of the award.
  • Dealing with disputes in connection with the Party Wall Award.
  • Assessing damages if they were to arise from the works.