"Competitively priced service, the agent I dealt with was very helpful. On the day of the survey itself I received a call from the surveyor to run through his initial findings. The quality of the report produced was excellent, very detailed and thorough. If needed I will be using SAM Conveyancing's services again in the future for sure."
Defects flagged in a Essex Home Buyers Survey
Types of property in Essex?
The pattern of settlement in the county is diverse. The Metropolitan Green Belt has effectively prevented the further sprawl of London into the county, although it contains the new towns of Basildon and Harlow, originally developed to resettle Londoners following the destruction of London housing in World War II, since which significantly developed and expanded. Epping Forest also acts as a protected barrier to the further spread of London. Because of its proximity to London and the economic magnetism which that city exerts, many of Essex's settlements, particularly those on or within short driving distance of railway stations, function as dormitory towns or villages where London workers raise their families.
Part of the southeast of the county, already containing the major population centres of Basildon, Southend and Thurrock, is within the Thames Gateway and designated for further development. Parts of the southwest of the county such as Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell are contiguous with Greater London neighbourhoods.
To the north of the green belt, with the exception of major towns such as Colchester and Chelmsford, the county is rural, with many small towns, villages and hamlets largely built in the traditional materials of timber and brick, with clay tile or thatched roofs.
There are many new build developments in the county, including in Chelmsford, Stanway, Colchester, Great Dunmow, Great Wakering and Walton-on-the-Naze.
Why Choose Sam Conveyancing for your Home Survey?
After 10 years of helping over 30,000 clients we've learned alot about surveys in Essex using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Essex surveyor will be local to your property so whether you're worried about subsidence, damp, infestations, extensions or even the just for peace of mind, we've got you covered.
Our HomeBuyers Survey costs are fixed and competitive as you'll see from all our Excellent reviews on Trustpilot. This means you don't have to break the bank to get a full health check on your new home. Get a Home Buyer Survey Quote today or if you're not sure which survey to choose and want to know the difference between a Level 2 Home Survey and a Level 3 Building Survey, then give us a call and we'll happily tell you what you need - 01245 330 486 (local call charges apply).
What defects are flagged in a Homebuyer's Survey?
Cracks are inspected and in the report will confirm if you need a structural engineer as there are signs of historical or current movement.
The RICS surveyor will use a moisture meter in the rooms and report any high levels along with any mould or damp causing damage to the walls/windows.
The wooden door frames and windows will be inspected for rotting and wood worm.
The surveyor looks for signs of infestations through droppings, damage to piping/flooring and in some cases finding where the nest is.
The surveyor will check the grounds of the property and, where possible, check over the fences to neighbouring plots to identify if there is a risk of Japanese knotweed.
The surveyor lifts up accessible man hole covers to check if the drains are blocked. You may need to get your drains inspected with CCTV.
The surveyor will enter into the roof/loft space if there is a safe and accessible ladder. They'll look for insulation, signs of leaking and and damage.
Average Cost of Building Surveyor in Essex
The cost varies depending on the size and condition of the property, with the average cost of our HomeBuyers Survey starting at £375 EXC VAT. The average cost of a Building Survey is higher. Our fixed fees start at £499 EXC VAT.
To ensure accuracy, we utilise Rightmove or Zoopla to assess the property type, guaranteeing a fixed quote tailored to your needs. For guidance on choosing the right survey, contact our survey specialists at 01245 330 486.
Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey Essex
We take problems very seriously, and if you encounter an issue, we ensure your concerns are addressed promptly and professionally. The initial step involves submitting a formal, written complaint, outlining the problem and supplementing it with any supporting evidence, like photos.
Our Manchester-based surveyor will send you their Formal Complaints Procedure outlining the expected response timeframes. They will work to rectify your complaint and might even propose revisiting the property in Manchester. After a comprehensive review, they will write back to you, hopefully resolving your complaint through the provision of further information.
If you remain unsatisfied, you can resort to a third-party dispute resolution service to which the surveyor is registered. This service becomes accessible only after you have formally complained to your surveyor.
The details of the dispute resolution service for RICS surveyors are as follows:
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
100 St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BU
CEDR.com
- Carlton Court, Craven Gardens, Barkingside, Essex IG6 1LT
- 46 Cranstone Park Avenue, Upminster, Essex, RM14 3UT
- 196 Willowfield, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6RZ
- 11 Featherstone Court, 287 - 295 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Essex, RM6 6DJ
- 55 Bentry Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 3PA
Local Building Survey Essex
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Chelmsford, Colchester, Writtle, Billericay, Brentwood, Maldon and Braintree.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Essex. Whether you are buying an old run down 'doer upper' or standard construction freehold house, our RICS surveyors have seen them all.
With a vast number of years of experience completing building surveys on properties in Essex we'll be able to give you the detailed Essex HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
*Survey prices vary depending on the type of survey, the size of the property and the property's location.
**Subject to availability. If your survey date is longer than 1 week then ask and we will try to fit you in sooner.
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RICS Level 2 Home Survey with a Valuation
A RICS Level 2 Home Survey, which used to be called the HomeBuyer Report or a Home Buyer Survey, is generally suitable for:
- Bungalows
- Flats
- Standard construction houses
The majority of Essex's leasehold flats require only a RICS HomeBuyer Report but for any Victorian conversions, a Building Survey may well be required.
RICS Level 3 Building Survey
A Level 3 Home Survey, also known as a Building Survey or a full structural, is the most comprehensive visual inspection a RICS surveyor can provide on a property in Essex. It is suitable for:
- complex buildings, for example those that have been extensively extended and altered
- unique or older historic properties
- properties in poor condition; or
- those where the client is planning to carry out extensive repair and refurbishment work.
Speak to one of our team on 01245 330 486 to find out if your property suits a RICS Building Survey, or read our article Which Home Buyers Survey suits your property .
