RICS Level 3 Building Surveys Devon
As a long-standing local firm of Chartered Surveyors in South Devon, Hammond & Shaw specialises in conducting RICS Level 3 Building Surveys, Structural surveys, RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Surveys and Mortgage Valuations for all types of property in the area. Our directors have many years of experience surveying residential property, with a reputation for delivering quality service with a professional approach that is second to none.
What is a RICS Level 3 Building Survey?
A RICS Level 3 Building Survey is an in depth report, best suited to older or listed buildings, properties in poor condition or homes that have been significantly altered.
The inspection involves a detailed visual appraisal of the building, its services and the grounds.
The report gives a greater insight into all of the main elements of construction, their condition and the risk of any hidden defects. It will also include advice on maintenance and the likely timescales for any remedial works required.
All our reports are provided in the standard RICS format. However, our surveyors will discuss specific requirements with you, prior to the inspection, and include comments in the report, where appropriate.
You should be aware that a Level 3 Building Survey may not satisfy the needs of a lender, in the event that a “Structural Survey” has been requested as a condition of a mortgage.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss whether a Level 3 Building Survey is appropriate for your needs, please contact our admin team.
Is a RICS Level 3 Building Survey right for my property?
RICS Level 3 Building Surveys can be conducted for all properties but they are particularly suitable for older, large or non-standard properties with complex surveying issues, including:
- Properties that are over 50 years old
- Historic structures and Listed Buildings
- Buildings of any age that are constructed with non-standard methods or materials
- Properties that have been significantly altered or extended in the past
- Buildings where major alterations or refurbishments are proposed
It is important to exercise great care when choosing the right surveyor for a Building Survey. At Hammond & Shaw, our team of surveyors has many years of experience and an excellent reputation in the field. What’s more, we are regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Being regularly RICS monitored for quality and compliance, we can give our clients complete reassurance regarding the high quality of our services and reporting.
What is covered by a RICS Level 3 Building Survey?
A RICS Level 3 Building Survey comprises a detailed inspection of all visible and accessible parts of the property. This includes roofs and chimneys, walls and floors, windows and doors, cellars, garages and outbuildings.
Our Chartered Surveyors have a legal responsibility to discover and inform you of any major problems with the property. This means they will be actively searching to spot building defects and potential problems, including:
- Evidence of dampness, conditions of existing damp proofing and insulation, drainage issues
- Evidence of subsidence and structural movement; the presence of large trees close to the building
- Damage to the brickwork and roof structure
- Damage to timbers including woodworm, dry rot, wet rot
- Information regarding construction materials used and any relevant technical information
- Structural defects including alterations to supporting walls
- Presence of asbestos and other hazardous materials
- Renovations that were undertaken without planning permission
Our team will check cupboards and manholes and inspect services, but will be unable to examine any enclosed or concealed parts of the building. Nor will we report on particular service aspects such as heating or electrical installations unless an expert investigation has been additionally requested.
How much does a RICS Level 3 Building Survey cost?
Due to the rigour with which the property investigation is conducted by our expert surveyors, RICS Level 3 Building Surveys do cost more than other types of home surveys. The exact cost depends on the type, size and price of the property in question. Please ask us for a personalised quote.
Contact us
For more information regarding RICS Level 3 Building Surveys or to discuss your particular property surveying needs with our expert team, please contact us today at 01626 335008 or email admin@hammondandshaw.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Why Choose Us?
- 25+ Years Experience
- Family run business
- Regulated by RICS
- Excellent reviews
- Comprehensive surveys
- Competitive quotes
We are regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to ensure we are delivering the highest standard of service.
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Choosing the right survey
Buying a house is possibly the single largest transaction that you are likely to undertake in your lifetime. A building is a major asset, so how can you be sure it’s worth the investment? Houses in this country can be of different ages and forms of construction; they may have defects or design faults or show signs of poor workmanship. The problems can be numerous and serious and prove expensive to remedy.
This is why it is important for you to arrange for a Surveyor to carry out a property survey prior to commitment to purchase. Commissioning your own home survey is the simple, economical way to avoid unpleasant and perhaps costly surprises after moving in.
What Our Clients Say
FAQs
Many homeowners underestimate the value of commissioning a report of their prospective new home. In some cases, this is due to not understanding the benefits of a property survey, while others mistakenly believe that their mortgage valuation will tell them about any defects.
Having a RICS survey is the only way to get a professional opinion about the condition of the building you are about to buy. Even if you think the property is sound, surveyors are trained to spot the symptoms of a problem that typically go missed by the average person, potentially allowing you to save thousands in unexpected repair costs when you move in.
A comprehensive survey will help you determine the true value of any property so that you can make an informed decision about proceeding.
You can minimise the risks of purchasing a property by asking a Surveyor to answer these questions: Is the agreed price reasonable? Are there any drawbacks I don’t know about? Are there any significant defects or urgent repairs? If so, what do I do about them?
At Hammond & Shaw, we offer friendly and professional advice to help you make the right property decision, with a full survey and valuation service for all types of residential property. Get in touch today to discuss your specific requirements and get a free, no obligation quotation.
Many people wrongly believe a mortgage valuation is a property survey. However, a mortgage valuation is purely for the use of mortgage lender and cannot be relied upon by you to protect your interests. Increasingly, mortgage lenders are willing to accept a mortgage application without a surveyor having physically inspected the property.
Although the cost of a survey may seem an unnecessary extravagance when making a decision to buy it could highlight costly repairs, help to re-negotiate the purchase price and potentially save thousands.
The following advice is given by both the consumer association Which? Magazine and the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML):
Even if you are seeking a mortgage and may be paying for a Mortgage Valuation report, it is advisable and prudent to arrange a property survey by your own Surveyors. The best way to reach an informed decision on such an important investment is to have a professional property survey before you decide to go ahead and commit yourself legally.