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Purpose and Scope of Report

A valuation will not be provided unless specifically requested at the time of inspection.

The surveyor will lift loose floorboards and trapdoors where accessible but will not normally attempt to raise fixed floorboards, which are often covered with hardboard or fixed floor coverings. Inspection will, therefore, exclude:

  • Roof spaces where there is no readily accessible hatch

  • Joists and wall plate details where covered by loft insulation

  • Outer surfaces of the roof if they cannot readily be seen

Similarly, inaccessible flat roofs over 3 m above ground level will not be inspected.

The Client should make prior arrangements, at their own expense if necessary, with the owner of the property for lifting carpets or moving heavy furniture that is likely to prevent the surveyor’s inspection.

Subject to the foregoing, the surveyor will open all unfixed hatches to roof spaces and accessible floor voids. The examination shall be as follows:

(i) Roofs

Externally, all roof areas will be inspected as closely as practicable from ground level. The surveyor cannot comment on the construction of concealed flat roof timbers.
The interior of accessible roof voids will be inspected in detail, and inaccessible connecting voids will be inspected to the extent practicable. Loft insulation will not be removed, with the exception of turning back small areas to identify the construction below.

(ii) Floors

The surface of all floors not covered with fixed coverings will be inspected as far as practicable, and loose boards will be lifted where possible to enable the construction to be identified and its condition checked in that particular area.
Where there are fixed coverings, these will not normally be lifted, but the surveyor will lift loose areas sufficiently to identify the nature of the finish beneath. The surface areas of solid floor construction will be inspected in the same manner as timber floors.

(iii) Walls and Structure

The exposed elements of all walls, brickwork, and stonework will be inspected externally and internally where not obscured by rendered finishes, heavy furniture, or fixed linings. Brickwork or stonework within accessible construction voids will be inspected as far as practicable.
Flues and wall cavities will not be inspected internally. Foundations will not be exposed. Where structural defects indicate potential problems below ground, the surveyor will recommend further specialist investigation.
The effectiveness of damp-proof courses, sills, copings, and similar components will be considered, and random areas of walls and joinery will be tested using a moisture meter.

(iv) Joinery and Finishes

Exposed joinery and finishings will be inspected visually. External joinery such as sills, horizontal boarding, and low-level timbers, where readily accessible, will receive special attention.

(v) Services

Sanitary fittings, internal and external plumbing, wastes, central heating, space heating appliances, and domestic wiring will be visually inspected where accessible. No service installations will be tested, but comment will be made on visual defects.
Gas appliances and flues should be approved by the local Gas Board. Where services are not operational at the time of inspection, this will further limit comment.

(vi) Drainage

Manhole covers will be lifted where possible within the curtilage of the property only, in order to observe the flow through the system. The means of disposal of foul and surface water will be identified where possible, to enable the surveyor to decide whether further exploration or tests should be recommended.

Note: It is impossible for the surveyor to give a clear indication of the efficiency of domestic services purely from a visual inspection, and therefore physical testing must always be recommended.

(vii) Outbuildings and External Areas

Outbuildings, fencing, paving, and driveways will not be inspected in the same detail as the main dwelling house. Comments will be restricted to substantial defects and major items of disrepair.
No detailed comments will be made on any outbuildings other than garaging and domestic stores. Leisure facilities, including swimming pools and saunas, are excluded.

(viii) Adjoining Property

Where accessible, the general external condition and use of immediately adjoining property will be observed in order to identify any special factors that may adversely affect the subject property.

(ix) Repair Costs

Where repair costs are given, they are for guidance purposes only and should not be construed as quotations or estimates. These should be substantiated prior to purchase by obtaining proper competitive quotations or estimates.

General Conditions Relating to Residential Building Surveys

The purpose for which the survey is required shall be as agreed between the Client and the Surveyor. The Surveyor will advise the Client of their opinion of the state of repair and condition of the property specified by the Client, in accordance with the scope, assumptions, and conditions of engagement relating to the report commissioned by the Client.

Assumptions

In making the report, the following assumptions will be made:

(a) That no potentially deleterious material was used in the construction of the property or has since been incorporated;

(b) That the property is not subject to any unusual or especially onerous restrictions, encumbrances, or outgoings and that good title can be shown;

(c) That the property and its value are unaffected by any matters that would be revealed by a Local Search and Replies to the Usual Enquiries, or by any Statutory Notice, and that neither the property, nor its condition, nor its use, nor its intended use, is or will be unlawful or contrary to Planning or Building Regulations;

(d) That inspection of those parts which have not been inspected would neither reveal material defects nor cause the Surveyor to alter their opinion materially; and

(e) Unless prior specific requests are made, the Surveyor shall be under no duty to verify these assumptions.

Use of the Report and Liability

The report will be provided for the stated purpose and for the sole use of the named Client. It will be confidential to the Client and their professional advisers.

The Surveyor accepts responsibility to the Client alone that the report will be prepared with the skill, care, and diligence reasonably to be expected of a Chartered Surveyor but accepts no responsibility whatsoever to any person other than the Client. Any such person relies upon the report at their own risk.

Neither the whole nor any part of the report, nor any reference to it, may be included in any published document, circular, or statement, nor published in any way without prior written approval having been obtained from the Surveyor as to the form and context in which it may appear.

Limitations of Inspection

It is not practical to inspect those parts of the structure that are covered, unexposed, or inaccessible. However, within these constraints, it is the Surveyor’s policy to give as clear a picture as possible of the overall condition of the property.

Unless prior arrangements have been made for opening up and the removal of furniture, fitted floor coverings, and similar items, the inspection may exclude:

(a) Foundations and structures below ground level where there is no access;

(b) Unexposed wall areas and inaccessible voids, including cavities;

(c) Inaccessible sub-floors, joists, and covered floor surfaces;

(d) Areas covered by roof insulation or similar materials;

(e) Detailed conditions of leisure buildings, swimming pools, ponds, watercourses, and specialist apparatus;

(f) In the case of commercial premises, those areas concealed by shelving and/or stock;

(g) No investigation will be carried out to determine whether high alumina cement concrete, calcium chloride additive, or any other deleterious material has been used in the construction of the property;

(h) An opinion as to the condition of parts of the property not inspected should not be construed as making an implied representation or statement about such parts;

(i) Where the property being inspected is a flat or part of a larger building, the inspection will be restricted to that flat or part. Other parts of the building will only be inspected at the Surveyor’s discretion or where they may involve the subject property in substantial maintenance costs;

(j) The report should be construed as a document relating to the overall condition of the property in relation to the quality of its structure and not as an inventory of every single defect that might insignificantly affect the ultimate value.

Related Sections

The paragraphs in the section Purpose and Scope of Report further detail the extent and limitations of the inspection.

Fees and Payment

The Client will pay the Surveyor on demand the agreed fee for the report, any expressly agreed disbursements, and any Value Added Tax on the fee and expenses.

Verbal Advice

Prior to the Client’s receipt of the written report, any verbal information given by the Surveyor shall not be construed as a representation or warranty and should not be acted upon.