How to chose a surveyor?

Bookowl

In the process of buying a house as a first time buyer - it’s all very stressful. 

I am currently looking at surveyors and don’t know what I should be looking for when appointing one?

I have spoken to a few of them and they have talked through some of the issues they have identified when looking at the property brochure.

Some want payment up front - is this normal?

A first time buyer who is very stressed out. 

youth_leader

I was lucky as I live in a small village, our estate agent has knowledge of most of them.  Your estate agent might be able to recommend someone they deal with regularly. 

I did pay in advance of my survey.

What issues have the surveyors mentioned?  

I would recommend getting an RCIS surveyor.  If you go on this website and type in the area box, you should be given a choice. 

RICS Find a Surveyor (ricsfirms.com)

 

Bookowl

youth_leader said:

I was lucky as I live in a small village, our estate agent has knowledge of most of them.  Your estate agent might be able to recommend someone they deal with regularly. 

I did pay in advance of my survey.

What issues have the surveyors mentioned?  

I would recommend getting an RCIS surveyor.  If you go on this website and type in the area box, you should be given a choice. 

RICS Find a Surveyor (ricsfirms.com)

 

Just by looking at the broucher:
- a new roof and questioning why this was done - as you usually only replace a roof if something happens to it 
- a wall knocked down in living room which would have required building control 
- 1 chimney breast removed which would have needed to ensure a structural engineer to sign off on 

Any repairs that needed done have they been corrected 

which1982

Payment up front is definitely normal - and I’d say ideal way to choose is a recommendation from someone you know. 

As long as they’re RICS registered, I think you’re fairly safe. Worth considering if you’re going to go for a level 2 or 3? 

youth_leader

Clever to see that much from the brochure!  I'd go level 3 with those sort of changes. 

Perhaps the roof had come to the end of its natural life?  Or, they might have had the foam installed and removed.

theartfullodger

Agent wants to sell you this property.  I e. Is financially incented to get the deal done.  So the temptation to recommend their tame surveyor who will be very kind to vendor is there.

I might ask for agent's recommendation but use anyone but...

dimbo61

Are you buying with Cash ?
If not you need a mortgage and they have there panel of approved RICS  surveyors.
The lender may offer a free Valuation survey 

Bookowl

dimbo61 said:

Are you buying with Cash ?
If not you need a mortgage and they have there panel of approved RICS  surveyors.
The lender may offer a free Valuation survey 

The lender is going out with their own survey next week, but for peace of mind I want my own done.

Bookowl

which1982 said:

Payment up front is definitely normal - and I’d say ideal way to choose is a recommendation from someone you know. 

As long as they’re RICS registered, I think you’re fairly safe. Worth considering if you’re going to go for a level 2 or 3? 

A few I was looking at say on their website their RICS registered but then when I search for them on the Rics website they don’t come up.🫣
Looking at a level2 survey 

badger09

I used this website to get quotes in 2020. 

Chose a local guy who ended up having to do 2 Level 2 surveys on very different properties for us so gave us a discount on the 2nd. Coincidentally, he’d also done the survey when our vendors bought this place in 2015 & had done their onward purchase! 

https://www.reallymoving.com/quote-forms/surveyors

We were pleased with how quickly he arranged the both surveys and that he took the trouble to phone us immediately after doing it. He’s very recently done a level 3 for family member. Same good service. 

Payment up front is the norm. 

Bookowl

Thanks for all the comments, when should I get a survey done- whats the time scale?
the mortgage evaluators are going out tomorrow, so I wait until that’s been completed?
On a separate note, would it be worth getting home buyers insurance?