Homebuyers Report
Homebuyers Report

The RICS Homebuyers Report is usually carried out by a Valuation Surveyor and is a ‘tick box, traffic light’ system, where the Valuation Surveyor attempts to direct a prospective purchaser to the defects at the property based on a traffic light system.

This is not an in-depth survey and in our opinion should not be relied upon before the purchase of a property.

Our ‘Buyer Beware’ survey is, in our opinion, a better option than the Homebuyers Survey, as this is carried out by a Building Engineer or Building Surveyor, and therefore in reality is a form of a Structural Survey albeit to a slightly less comprehensive level.

In any event, and as the name suggests, the Buyer Beware Survey is specifically set out to provide a prospective purchaser with a full report on the condition of a property with a list of identified, essential repairs and an estimated costing for those identified essential repairs.

What is included within the report

Elements included in all Structural / Building Surveys, Buyer Beware Surveys, Commercial Surveys and Statement of Condition Surveys include:-

External

  • Roof coverings
  • Flat roofs
  • Chimney stacks & flashings
  • Gutters and rainwater goods
  • Foul waste and drainage
  • Main walls
  • Defects
  • Serious structural movement
  • Damp proof courses
  • Sub floor ventilation
  • Window frames, exterior joinery

External

  • Roof coverings
  • Flat roofs
  • Chimney stacks & flashings
  • Gutters and rainwater goods
  • Foul waste and drainage
  • Main walls
  • Defects
  • Serious structural movement
  • Damp proof courses
  • Sub floor ventilation
  • Window frames, exterior joinery

Internal

  • Ceilings, walls and partitions
  • Fireplaces, flues and chimney breasts
  • Interior decorations
  • Floors
  • Dampness
  • Woodworm, rot, timber defects
  • Joinery, kitchen, bedroom furniture
  • Plumbing and sanitary fittings
  • Hot water and central heating (visual only)*
  • Insulation
  • Roof spaces
  • Cellars and basements
  • Water
  • Gas (visual only)*
  • Electricity (visual only)*
  • Garages and outbuildings
  • Site, boundaries, paths, fences
  • Environmental matters
  • Summary and recommendations

* Refers to the Service Checks Inspection

Also included in our Surveys are photographs, typically 6 with Structural and Buyer Beware Surveys, and 40 plus for Commercial and Statement of Condition Surveys.
We would urge all prospective purchasers of any residential or commercial properties to heed the maxim
‘Caveat Emptor’ Let the buyer beware.
It is the responsibility of the purchaser to discover any faults within a property before purchase.