How does a house survey work

kisaki757

Sorry in advance for the ultra-noob question. I am a FTB and not UK-born so I am totally new to the whole house buying process. 

I am in the process of buying a property. Mortgage arranged, searches are underway. How do I go about arranging the survey exactly? I googled a few companies, let's say I do find one I like (how can I tell if they are good/bad??). Once I get in touch with them, who do I need to let know about arranging access to the property? I suppose the estate agent? Do I tell them or does the surveyor tell them? Can I be present when the survey is done, is that a thing?

user1977

You instruct the surveyor firm you want to use, they'll ask you who the estate agent is, they sort out access with the estate agent.

No, it's not generally a "thing" to be present when the survey is done (at least not for the whole survey), though I have seen some surveyors offer to meet you towards the end if you want anything interesting pointed out to you.

FreeBear

The important thing if/when getting a survey is to have one done that is appropriate for the property. For a modern build (say within the last 20 years), there shouldn't be a huge amount that is wrong. For an old property, say Victorian or earlier, you need a surveyor that understands historic properties and give a reasoned opinion on things like damp or wonky floors.

The older the property, the more detailed the survey needs to be - Unfortunately, surveyors can not go poking holes in walls or lift floorboards, so can't look for serious hidden issues - Even so, if there is a structural problem, there should be visible signs.

canaldumidi

Search forlocal RICS surveyors here and speak to a few. Once instructed, they will contact the estate agent to arrange access.

No, they hate having clients following them round looking over their shoulder! But as user1977 says, they might agree to meet you at the end for a chat. Arrange this in advance as the length/timing of the survey willdeend on the type of survey. Some (the cheaper ones?) will not even do this as their costs are based on strict time limits to survey and produce a written report soask in advance.

NameUnavailable

As said you should get a survey appropriate to the type and age of property you're buying (i.e. homebuyer for a flat, full building survey for an older house).

The survey won't tell you everything - it will almost certainly contain advice to get specialists to report on any electrical/damp/plumbing/wood or timber issues. But it's a start, to highlight any obvious areas of concern (which you may or may not pick up during viewing).

kisaki757

canaldumidi said:

Search forlocal RICS surveyors here and speak to a few. Once instructed, they will contact the estate agent to arrange access.

No, they hate having clients following them round looking over their shoulder! But as user1977 says, they might agree to meet you at the end for a chat. Arrange this in advance as the length/timing of the survey willdeend on the type of survey. Some (the cheaper ones?) will not even do this as their costs are based on strict time limits to survey and produce a written report soask in advance.

Thank you! How do I search for surveyors here?

benson1980

https://www.ricsfirms.com/

It may be useful asking companies for an example of one of their surveys. We've had a number of them done over the years, each with a different firm. The last one we had was much less generic waffle about the area (which we knew well), and more photos and detailed description of specific issues which was exactly what we wanted, and highlighted a couple of quite major potential problems that we never would have spotted ourselves. It was also half the price of some of the others from bigger firms which we have tended to find a bit impersonal, so in our experience at least cost doesn't necessarily have a direct correlation with service.

They should all be happy to talk through the results once completed which is definitely worthwhile doing.

canaldumidi

kisaki757 said:

canaldumidi said:

Search forlocal RICS surveyors here and speak to a few. Once instructed, they will contact the estate agent to arrange access.

No, they hate having clients following them round looking over their shoulder! But as user1977 says, they might agree to meet you at the end for a chat. Arrange this in advance as the length/timing of the survey willdeend on the type of survey. Some (the cheaper ones?) will not even do this as their costs are based on strict time limits to survey and produce a written report soask in advance.

Thank you! How do I search for surveyors here?

Sorry- meant to add the link!

(Thanks benson1980!)

https://www.ricsfirms.com/

badger09

kisaki757 said:

canaldumidi said:

Search forlocal RICS surveyors here and speak to a few. Once instructed, they will contact the estate agent to arrange access.

No, they hate having clients following them round looking over their shoulder! But as user1977 says, they might agree to meet you at the end for a chat. Arrange this in advance as the length/timing of the survey willdeend on the type of survey. Some (the cheaper ones?) will not even do this as their costs are based on strict time limits to survey and produce a written report soask in advance.

Thank you! How do I search for surveyors here?

I found ours through here:

https://www.reallymoving.com/surveyors

Once you’ve had the quotes you can do some checking. 

Very satisfied with his survey on our first proposed purchase, and when vendors withdrew & we found our current home, he did that one for us @ reduced price. 

Coincidentally, he’d done survey on our current home for vendors when they bought it 6 year ago, and on the house they were moving to! But then, we are in rural Shropshire😉

Newhome_newwoes

badger09 said:

kisaki757 said:

canaldumidi said:

Search forlocal RICS surveyors here and speak to a few. Once instructed, they will contact the estate agent to arrange access.

No, they hate having clients following them round looking over their shoulder! But as user1977 says, they might agree to meet you at the end for a chat. Arrange this in advance as the length/timing of the survey willdeend on the type of survey. Some (the cheaper ones?) will not even do this as their costs are based on strict time limits to survey and produce a written report soask in advance.

Thank you! How do I search for surveyors here?

I found ours through here:



Once you’ve had the quotes you can do some checking. 

Very satisfied with his survey on our first proposed purchase, and when vendors withdrew & we found our current home, he did that one for us @ reduced price. 

Coincidentally, he’d done survey on our current home for vendors when they bought it 6 year ago, and on the house they were moving to! But then, we are in rural Shropshire😉

Be careful using this site, the surveyor reallymoving recommended, even though they are RICS registered they missed several serious defects with our home.
(The company in question was called Prinsegate based in the South East, avoid!)  

Went through a very tedious and lengthy complaint and managed to get the money back for the initial survey and for another later survey but not for the cost of the remedial works.

The RICS were no help what so ever so now in the process of preparing a legal case which is also taking ages.

Check plenty of reviews (although do not believe Trustpilot!).

Best of luck.