Property Surveying Specialists

The mortgage valuation is commissioned by the lender to assess the value of the property as suitable security for the loan. The mortgage valuer will inspect the general structure and highlight any factors which affect the value and may render the property to be unsuitable for lending purposes.

This inspection should not be considered suitable for a structural review of the property for purchase purposes. Although the property may be suitable for lending purposes, there may be defects within the structure that require expensive remedial work.

Many mortgage valuations are now carried out remotely through desktop inspections, meaning the property is not physically visited or inspected.

SPI Surveyors are independent and will act on your behalf. We are professionally obligated to comply with regulations in this respect.

A survey will identify a range of defects within the property and the surveyor will provide a detailed report. The surveyor will spend significant time in the property and has extensive training and expertise in investigating and analysing structures. This will often result in issues being brought to your attention that you may not have been aware of in the first instance.

When purchasing a car, you will ensure it has a service document and MOT. When buying a house, you should ensure the property is free of issues, or at the very least you are aware of these.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has previously identified that those purchasers who do not obtain a survey are often faced with average costs of £5,750 when moving in and in almost 20% of cases the costs have been over £12,000.

For an investment of as little as £600 (a small % of the purchase price) you can ensure that the issues within the property are properly identified and costs of remedial work known in advance, allowing you to negotiate the purchase price and budget for work.

A survey is not like a MOT, there is no pass or fail.

The surveyor is trained to provide an impartial and expert opinion on the property and present the findings to you in order for you to make a decision.

The report may highlight significant issues which you could consider too severe or costly to continue the purchase. Alternatively, you may consider the report as a negotiation tactic for the purchase and seek to reduce the purchase price accordingly.

Within the report, there are likely to be recommendations for additional inspections (especially in older properties). The surveyor will guide you through the process and how best to interpret these additional reports. In many cases, the surveyor will review the report with you and help you decide on the next steps.

We offer you the ability to Build Your Own Survey based on your own requirements.

This generally includes either a Level 2 or Level 3 inspection and report with a mix and match of additional specialist surveys which the surveyor can provide in a detailed report with overview without you being left with part of the information required to make an informed decision.

Additional reports include (not limited to):

• Drone
• Roofing
• Timber and Damp
• Arboriculturist (Tree)
• CCTV Drainage
• Services:
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Gas/Oil

Inspections are not always carried out simultaneously, however the RICS surveyor will provide a detailed overview of the property, review the additional surveys and comment accordingly.

The surveyor will collate all the information to provide a full picture of the property, include costs and also provide links to additional services for commissioning remedial work.

This is our most comprehensive report and one which has become extremely popular as it provides you with a complete overview, including costs for remedial work, of the property.

A drone survey provides the surveyor with the opportunity to examine those external parts of the structure which are generally inaccessible from either ground level or the upper floors.

Commonly, the survey will inspect the roof and chimneys of the property, creating a video from which still images can be extracted.

The inspection allows the surveyor to inspect roof coverings, penetrations through the roof, chimney stacks, rainwater goods. It can also be used to inspect the upper floors in more detail.

Additional benefits and services include the preparation of a 3D model of the property which can be manipulated and explored in more detail.

The roofing survey is a detailed inspection of the roof frame and covering. It can also include a review of the rainwater goods and external joinery at high level.

The inspection is generally carried out by a specialist roofing contractor who will have extensive experience of the type and structure of the roof being inspected.

The surveyor will enter a roof void internally and inspect the size and condition of the roofing timber and identify any issues associated with them.

They will provide a report on the general condition and identify areas of maintenance and additional remedial work required.

This survey can be combined with a drone survey to provide a full detailed inspection of the external and internal roof condition.

A damp and timber report is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified professional to identify and assess dampness and timber decay in a building. This report not only identifies the presence and extent of any damp or decay but also suggests appropriate remedial measures.

During the inspection, the expert looks for indicators of dampness like moisture, mould, discolouration, and signs of timber decay or insect infestation. They may employ specialised equipment such as moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and borescopes to uncover hidden issues.

The report typically includes a thorough analysis of the findings and recommendations for remedial actions. These could range from minor repairs and enhancements to more extensive renovation work like installing a damp-proof course or replacing affected timbers.

Damp and timber reports are particularly vital for properties with high moisture levels or those with a history of damp or timber problems. They are often required by lenders and insurers as a condition for mortgages or insurance policies, providing assurance that the property is in good condition and not at risk of significant damage.

A tree survey, conducted by a skilled arborist, offers an in-depth report on the health of trees on a property. The report includes the scientific name of each tree and recommendations for removal if necessary, with reasons clearly stated.

In certain situations, a tree or trees may affect the building’s structure, leading to long-term stability issues if not addressed. This can also negatively impact future mortgage prospects for the property, as many lenders are hesitant to finance properties showing signs of tree-related structural damage.

A CCTV drain survey is a thorough examination of the drainage system, conducted using specially designed CCTV cameras. This technology allows for the easy detection and assessment of potential issues that may arise within the drains. By utilising these high-tech cameras, the survey can pinpoint the origin of a potential problem and address it before it escalates.

CCTV drain cameras are also employed when a blockage in the pipe is suspected. The survey uses these specialized cameras to carry out a comprehensive drain inspection, identifying the cause of the blockage so that it can be efficiently removed, thereby restoring the drain to full functionality.

It is generally recommended to conduct a CCTV survey on properties built before the 1980s, as they often used older style materials in their construction.

Septic Tanks:

Septic tank inspections involve a professional engineer examining the tank and its components to ensure they are in good condition. The engineers will evaluate the tank’s structural integrity, check for leaks, and assess the overall state of the tank. They will also inspect the drain field and look for any signs of effluent surfacing or unusually wet areas.

A brief note on regulations:

Since October 2023, new sewage discharges are required to comply with specific regulations. If a new discharge surpasses the allowed limits for groundwater or surface water, it must not share the same outlet as an existing septic tank discharge.

New sewage discharges must not be within a 50-metre radius of other activities related to groundwater or water discharge. These regulations aim to reduce sewage pollution and safeguard the environment and waterways.

If a septic tank discharges directly into a watercourse, you should promptly:

• Connect to a main sewer.
• Install a drainage field (also known as an infiltration system) to allow the septic tank to discharge to the ground.
• Replace the septic tank with a small sewage treatment plant.

Electrical:

Before occupying a building, it’s recommended to conduct an inspection of the electrical installation. This process provides a report that verifies the safety of the installation. In some instances, the seller may provide an electrical certificate, which you should ensure is transferable.

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) involves the examination and testing of an electrical installation to ascertain its safety for tenants, owners, and occupants. An EICR helps to identify several aspects, including:

• The overall integrity of the installation.
• Any damage to components such as sockets and switches.
• Compliance of the property with applicable regulations.

Gas:

Before moving into a building, it’s crucial to evaluate the state of the gas installations for safety reasons. Only a Gas Safe certified engineer should conduct a gas safety inspection, ensuring that your gas appliances are safe for continued use in your home.

The gas appliance safety inspection verifies that an appliance:

• Is correctly set and adjusted for proper gas combustion.
• Is appropriate for the room in which it’s situated.
• Is physically stable, securely installed, and properly connected to the gas pipeline.

Additionally, your engineer will confirm that:

• There is a sufficient and constant air supply suitable for the installed appliance.
• All safety mechanisms are working as they should.
• All flues, chimneys, and air vents are functioning properly.

Oil:

Similar to a gas inspection, an analysis of the oil installations including the boiler and tank will be undertaken and a report provided.

Similar to other components of your heating system, your fuel oil tank can experience wear and tear over time, particularly with heavy usage. Typically, domestic fuel tanks have a lifespan of up to 10 years. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent issues such as leaks, microbial growth, and other forms of damage.

Oil tank inspections enable the evaluation of environmental and fire hazards linked to both domestic and commercial fuel storage facilities. These inspections should be conducted before initiating any installation work or to detect and document risks related to the existing system.

Plumbing:

A plumbing inspection offers a thorough examination of your plumbing system, identifying issues such as blockages, leaks, and pipe damage. The resulting report provides a summary of the system, advice on its current state, and estimates for any necessary repairs.

Given that most of the system within a property is likely hidden, potential problems may not be immediately apparent. The inspection assesses the installation’s condition and the adequacy of its service provision. It evaluates the size and style of the radiators, verifying if they are suitably sized for their locations.

Often, a gas inspection will encompass a review of the plumbing installation.

Boiler Inspection:

While a gas safety check guarantees the safe operation of the appliance, a boiler service entails inspecting individual boiler components to ensure they are clean and functioning efficiently. A boiler service and safety check can be likened to a vehicle’s service. The inspection ensures the system is safe for use, while the service examines individual parts and includes necessary checks to ensure the  boiler’s safety, and the service aligns with a boiler’s service.