'Home Condition Survey' vs. Homebuyers survey

queenA

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had heard of or had done a 'Home Condition Survey' as opposed to the Homebuyers Survey? I found the Homebuyers Survey really pointless the last time we we were going to buy a house as we had to have several other reports done afterwards. We particularly want a survey that will cover damp, timber, wall-tie, roof, drains etc,

I found this information about the 'Home Condition Survey' on the net:

The basis of a Home Condition Survey is:

1) A survey of the property by qualified individual
2) A written report assessing the condition of various elements of the property
3) A commitment to the use of clear, non technical English for descriptions
4) Sections of report covering general information, summary and general description, conveyancing/health & safety issues, outside condition, inside condition, services and grounds.
5) A valuation for insurance purposes (rebuilding cost, using BCIS information according to property type and geographic region)
6) A transparent complaint procedure

I was wondering if anyone could advise me about the right survey for our needs....thank you

M.Holloway

Home buyers report

Do you need one?

Building or structural survey This is more in depth.

Couldn't find anything about Home condition report So I assume its the same as a home buyers report.

Let me know if you find out otherwise

madmish00

I think the Home Condition Report is the same thing as the Homebuyer's Report...it was just re-named as it was originally supposed to go in the HIP's pack and would have therefore been commissioned by the vendor rather than the buyer.

queenA

Thanks guys- i was told they were 2 different surveys which covered different aspects but i havent found out any more about them so will probably end up going for a full structural survey. Thanks again

mccoll63

queenA wrote: »

Thanks guys- i was told they were 2 different surveys which covered different aspects but i havent found out any more about them so will probably end up going for a full structural survey. Thanks again

The Home Condition Survey is probably the most cost effective and detailed survey on the market, it covers all aspects of the home including looking for structural defects. It is jargon free and in plain English, it also includes an insurance rebuild calculation and can included a probable value range valuation. It probably half the cost of a full structural survey. All surveying organisations are changing to condition ratings.
More information is available, for example at nesltd.co.uk.
A good survey would be a member of the RPSA, Residential Property Surveyors Association. rpsa.org.uk
I am a surveyor who can produce these surveys, you could find a link on this site to myself, Andrew McColl.
Or I could email several contacts of people who could carry out a survey like this in your area.
If you want a comprehensive survey and save money, this is probably for you. It is insurance backed and would include photos of defects.
The surveyor would also be happy to talk at length about the report once completed.
Prices vary but, but as a rough guide, they start at about £250 for the smaller property.
Ave 3 bedroom semi should be about £349.
Dependant on areas and other fractures etc

I hope this is of help
Andrew McColl

sonastin

I always thought home condition reports were what vendors had to do in Scotland and homebuyers reports were what English purchasers commissioned...

tbs624

mccoll63 wrote: »

The Home Condition Survey is probably the most cost effective and detailed survey on the market, it covers all aspects of the home including looking for structural defects.



It is jargon free and in plain English, it also includes an insurance rebuild calculation and can included a probable value range valuation. It probably half the cost of a full structural survey. All surveying organisations are changing to condition ratings.
More information is available, for example at blah blah
A good survey would be a member of the Blah blah

I am a surveyor who can produce these surveys, you could find a link on this site to myself, blah blah
Or I could email several contacts of people who could carry out a survey like this in your area.
If you want a comprehensive survey and save money, this is probably for you. It is insurance backed and would include photos of defects.
The surveyor would also be happy to talk at length about the report once completed.
Prices vary but, but as a rough guide, they start at about £250 for the smaller property.
Ave 3 bedroom semi should be about £349.
Dependant on areas and other fractures etc

I hope this is of help

Touting for business dressed up as help for the OP? Bit of free advertising of your services there? Shame on you McColl- see above No spam/referral links


Quote from the website linked to by McColl:

The Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) represents the interests of all those that have invested time and money into becoming Home Inspectors regardless of whether they have completed the qualification and registered. It is recognised that many will have abandoned their training over the last 3 years, but it is intended to represent their interests as well.

OP, personally I think Id be looking for an RICS member. Have a look at their "guide to surveys here

tbs624

madmish00 wrote: »

I think the Home Condition Report is the same thing as the Homebuyer's Report...it was just re-named as it was originally supposed to go in the HIP's pack and would have therefore been commissioned by the vendor rather than the buyer.

No, its the not the same thing. You are right about the connection with HIPs though. The HCRs are produced by an accredited Home Inspector, who may or may not be an Chartered Surveyor.

The Home Buyers Report or Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (HSV), is a survey done under an RICS format.

Edit: Bit more info from one of mccoll63's links

"What is the future for Home Inspectors? The decision to make the Home Condition Report (HCR) a voluntary component of a Home Information Pack (HIP) has all but killed the HCR.
SAVA is the largest certification scheme for Home Inspectors and over the past twelve months just 30 HCRs have been lodged.

However, SAVA continues to support our Home Inspectors and look for opportunities for them to apply their hard won qualification. In particular, we believe that there is an emerging opportunity for the provision of condition surveys to prospective homebuyers..................A recent poll of members who are producing HCS indicated that they are earning fees of between £300 and £600 per report, depending on their local market and on their ability to sell the benefits."

Clearly, mccoll63 is hoping to "sell the benefits" on this Board....;)