So, What is Structural Survey?
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’re looking to buy a new property, there are a lot of things you’ll need to do as part of the buying process. Buying a property is a big investment, and you’ll want to make sure that the property you’re buying is worth what you pay for it, and that you’re not faced with some unexpected repairs and work to carry out further down the line
What are Structural Surveys?
This is where property surveys come in handy. At the very least, an RICS survey is needed to ensure all defects and issues are identified. Meanwhile, a structural survey will be able to look at the property in more detail, and can be a worthwhile investment to help you avoid buying a property that isn’t as perfect as it seems.
These two types of surveys sound similar, but there are some big differences between an RICS survey and a structural survey. Find out more about structural surveys and why they’re different to an RICS survey to help give you the full picture when it comes to buying a property.
What is an RICS survey?
An RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) survey is carried out by an RICS Building Surveyor. In order to produce a homebuyer’s report, the general condition of the property will be examined, identifying any areas of concern that might need repairing or work done in the future. Having an RICS survey can give you peace of mind when buying a property, and helps ensure there are no nasty surprises waiting for you after you’re handed the keys.
For most buyers, an RICS survey will be enough to satisfy lenders and solicitors to help you proceed with your purchase.
What is a structural survey?
If your RICS survey identifies some potential issues, then a structural survey could be needed to provide a more in-depth investigation of the property. A structural survey is carried out by either a Chartered Civil or a Structural Engineer.
A structural survey will look at the structure of the property in more detail, providing you with detailed information about any issues found, including recommendations for the work needed to resolve them and the approximate cost of the work. This can be very valuable when buying a property, helping you avoid serious complications and putting you into a position where you might be able to negotiate a lower price with the seller.
Through a structural survey, you’ll receive a report that identifies and diagnoses issues such as subsidence, ground heave, cracking, sagging roofs, etc. With a detailed structural survey report, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you’re letting yourself in for with your property purchase, helping you see the overall picture and identifying work that will need to be carried out to the property.
Which should you choose?
Surveys are an important part of the home buying process, but they can add to the cost of buying a property. A RICS survey will generally identify key issues with the property, and you might then wish to commission a structural survey to provide you with more detail. But to help you get the complete picture when buying a property, it could save you a lot of time and money further down the line to choose a structural survey.
When opting for a structural survey, it’s important to choose a reputable, qualified engineer to ensure the best outcome. And that’s where we come in. At Blue Sky, our team of qualified engineers will assess the property in detail, producing a report that will help you along the buying process. For more information on what a structural survey is please take a look at this guide published by the Institution of Structural Engineers
For more details on our service, please visit our structural survey page
Contact us today and we’ll be more than happy to provide you with a structural survey quote.