Full Building Surveys - Construction and Condition
The team of chartered building surveyors specialise in delivering full building surveys tailor-made for you and your individual full structural survey requirements. One area they look at is the construction and condition of the building. Learn more below.
What is a property condition survey?
A property condition survey is an assessment conducted by one of our building survey experts to evaluate the condition of a property or building – ordinarily when it’s being bought or sold. The condition survey examines various aspects of the property to determine its overall condition.
During one of our property condition surveys, the surveyor inspects both the interior and exterior of the building, as well as its systems and components – such as the structural integrity, roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, insulation, and the overall maintenance and condition of the property.
The purpose of a property condition and construction survey is to identify existing issues, defects, or potential problems that may affect the property’s value or pose risks. If there are any major issues, you will know about them ahead of time and be able to renegotiate the price or pull out of the transaction altogether.
The building surveyor team will provide a detailed report outlining the findings and any recommendations for repairs, replacements, or further investigations we may have.
What does a building condition survey cover?
When one of the chartered surveyor services team members or another accredited/qualified specialist comes and conducts a building condition survey, they will look at many features of the building including:
Structural Elements such as the foundation, walls, floors, and roof. The surveyor checks for signs of cracking, settlement, deterioration, or any structural deficiencies.
Exterior features such as walls, windows, doors, cladding, and façade. This helps identify any water intrusion, moisture damage, leaks, or issues with insulation.
Interior features such as walls, ceilings, floors, and finishes. The surveyor looks for any signs of damage, wear and tear, or issues related to moisture, mould, or pests.
Roofing system including the roof covering, flashing, gutters, and drainage systems. They check for signs of leaks, damage, or poor maintenance that may affect the integrity of the roof and lead to water penetration.
Mechanical systems including the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems, are examined. This helps determine if they are functioning properly and if they comply with relevant codes and regulations.
Accessibility and Safety includes an evaluation of the building’s ramps, elevators, handrails, and signage, to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
What are the red flags on a house condition survey?
When a building condition survey is completed, your building surveyor will provide a list of defects that have been identified. Red flags that can be raised in condition survey reports include:
- Cracks in walls
- Cracks in floors
- Cracks in ceilings
- Sloping floors
- Uneven doors
- Uneven windows
- Visible signs of shifting or settling
- Stains or discolouration
- Bubbling paint on walls or ceilings
- Musty odours
- Mould
- Dampness
- Missing or damaged shingles
- Sagging areas
- Signs of leaks such as water stains on ceilings or in the attic
- Slow drains
- Inadequate water pressure
- Outdated plumbing systems
- Outdated electrical systems
- Exposed wires
- Faulty outlets
- Frequently tripping circuit breakers
- Evidence of pests such as droppings, nests, chewed wires, or wood damage
- Drafts, or inconsistent room temperatures
- Cracks in the foundation
- Sticking doors or windows
- The presence of hazardous materials, such as asbestos or lead-based paint
- Peeling paint
- Overgrown landscaping,
- Deferred repairs
How long does a Level 3 Building Survey take?
Most condition and construction surveys typically take 2 hours to do the internals and 2 hours to do the externals – although it may take longer than this. The time it takes to complete can also vary depending on the size and condition of your property.
When should I get a condition and construction survey?
The most common time to get a condition report for a property is prior to purchase. If you are considering buying a property, especially an older or existing building, it is recommended to obtain a condition and construction survey. The survey report can help you make an informed decision about the purchase, negotiate the price, and plan for any necessary renovations or upgrades.
Other times that it might be necessary to get a construction survey completed include:
- Before selling a property ensure you know all issues and rectify/take them into consideration in the sale price.
- Before renovating the property to ensure any changes are done safely as well as help you more accurately estimate the cost and time frame.
- When remortgaging or getting a loan against the property as in some cases your lender may request an up-to-date condition report before loaning you any money.
How much does a Condition survey cost?
The total cost for the property condition survey depends on the property in question. Contact our building survey experts to get a FREE no-obligation full structural survey quote.
Do I need to be present at the time of the Survey?
We find it best that the surveyors are left to carry out the survey on their own. This is because the surveyor has a set process to follow and needs to carry out the inspection without distraction to ensure that nothing is missed during the inspection. All we need is access to the property.
What is in a building condition report?
A building condition report is a detailed document that provides an assessment of the condition of a building. A construction survey service report typically contains:
Executive Summary. A concise overview of the report, summarizing the key findings and recommendations.
A building condition report is a detailed document that provides an assessment of the condition of a building. A construction survey service report typically contains:
Executive Summary. A concise overview of the report, summarizing the key findings and recommendations.
Introduction and Scope. The report begins with an introduction that outlines the purpose of the assessment and the scope of the survey.
Building Description. The report provides a description of the building, including its age, construction materials, architectural style, and layout.
Overall Building Condition. The report assesses the overall condition of the building, highlighting any significant issues or deficiencies.
Detailed Findings. This section presents a detailed account of the findings from the inspection – including observations, measurements, and photographic evidence of any defects, damage, or areas of concern.
Recommendations. Based on the findings, the report provides recommendations for repairs, maintenance, or further investigations.
Compliance and Codes. The report will highlight any areas where the building does not meet the required criteria and may pose safety or legal issues.
Appendices: Additional information and supporting documents may be included in the appendices.
The report begins with an introduction that outlines the purpose of the assessment and the scope of the survey.
Building Description. The report describes the building, including its age, construction materials, architectural style, and layout.
Overall Building Condition. The report assesses the overall condition of the building, highlighting any significant issues or deficiencies.
Detailed Findings. This section presents a detailed account of the findings from the inspection – including observations, measurements, and photographic evidence of any defects, damage, or areas of concern.
Recommendations. Based on the findings, the report provides recommendations for repairs, maintenance, or further investigations.
Compliance and Codes. The report will highlight any areas where the building does not meet the required criteria and may pose safety or legal issues.
Appendices: Additional information and supporting documents may be included in the appendices.
When will we receive the condition survey report after the survey?
In most cases, you can expect to receive a completed condition survey report within 4-5 working days from the full structural survey taking place. The report will also be available in electronic format.
A condition survey report includes a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the property’s condition. The report highlights any defects, potential issues, or areas requiring attention. The condition survey reports include photographs, diagrams, and technical explanations to support the findings from our surveyor.
On occasion, receiving your building condition survey report may take a little longer, depending on the property and the full building survey findings.
Why Choose The Construction Survey Service?
When using the construction survey services, there are a number of things you can expect, including:
- Widely Recognised
- Extensive internal training and skill sharing
- High Levels of Professionalism
- Reliable & Communicative
- Extremely Knowledgeable
- Members of Several Awarding Bodies
- Happy Clients & Positive Reviews
- Located Near You
Professional Standards
Our panel of experts are regulated by the following regulatory bodies including but not limited to: the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), The Property Ombudsman (TPO), Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS), the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Get in Touch
If you are interested in the residential or commercial building condition survey services, speak to one of the Chartered Building Surveyors and/or accredited/qualified specialists regarding a property condition survey quote. Or, if you have general queries about the condition or construction survey service, then please reach out to us.