Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions include Are you a RICS Chartered Surveyor near me? and What survey should I have?.  Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions about us and the work that we do. There are separate answers to frequently asked questions regarding Valuations and Residential Survey Reports.  We hope this helps.

Please feel free to contact us if you have a query that isn't covered in this list.

Questions

RICS Chartered SurveyorAre you a RICS Chartered Surveyor near me?

Yes, we are a firm of RICS Chartered Surveyors. We are based in Lightwater, Surrey and do most of our work between Reading, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Slough, Chertsey, Weybridge, West Byfleet, Woking, Ripley, Guildford, Farnham and Hook.

Our Work

RICS Residential Surveys including Building Surveys, Home Buyer Reports and Condition Reports
Red Book Valuations which include Divorce, Probate, Shared Ownership and Help to Buy
Lease Extensions
Development Appraisals
Schedules of Condition
Acquisitions/Disposals

Yes. We have £1,000,000 of Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Yes. We can help owners of leasehold properties increase the length of their lease. This will increase the value of their property and make it more desirable when they sell it in the future. Lenders are less likely to provide a mortgage for a leasehold property with less than 80 years remaining on its lease.

Payment

We do not have credit card payment facilities. Payments should be made electronically to our bank account. Details will be provided with your invoice.
We kindly ask that payment is made two working days before the inspection date. This is because the preliminary work will begin at this time.

Residential Surveys

There are three types of residential survey each serving a different purpose. RICS guidelines restrict us from recommending the survey you should have. Below is a description of each:

A Condition Report is intended for new builds. This report provides the least amount of detail as it is assumed that the properties are in fairly good condition and are provided with a 10-year guarantee.

Most properties benefit from a Home Buyer Report as it describes the property and any defects that require attention in the short-medium term. It is a comprehensive non-invasive snapshot of a property. The outside of the building is inspected including the roof, chimneys, guttering, walls, windows, and doors. Inside the property, the roof structure, ceilings, walls, floors, fireplaces, kitchens and bathrooms are inspected. The services i.e. gas, water, heating, and electricity are examined to see if there are any irregularities that do not comply with professional standards. A traffic light rating system is used to identify the severity of defects.

A Building Survey is appropriate for Listed buildings, those in a poor state of repair and those the have been dramatically extended. In addition to identifying defects, this report describes the fabric and materials of the building. It is assumed that these types of property will require more maintenance and building work than a traditional modern property. Knowing the fabric of the building is useful when undertaking this work. Just like a Home Buyer Report, the inside and outside of the property is inspected, defects are identified and a traffic light rating system is used.

See our Advice page for more information.

We will make all the arrangements. All you need to do is provide the contact details of the Estate Agency selling the property.
We will do it as soon as we can but it is not completely down to us. As the owner/tenant has to provide access to the surveyor, they will choose the date/time that is most convenient for them.
Home Buyer and Condition reports will be sent within four working days after the inspection. Building Surveys will be sent within five working days.
As a courtesy, our surveyor will ring you after the inspection to give you their initial findings. If the surveyor finds anything significant, you will find out then.
Yes. Please let us know if you have any specific concerns about the property or plans for future alteration and the surveyor will address those areas in the report.
No. We no longer provide valuations as part of residential surveys. The cost of Insurance to cover this work has increased exponentially across the industry . It is no longer economically feasible for us to offer this service.

Valuations

We do Red Book Valuations including those for Matrimonial, Probate, Shared ownership and Help to Buy
The Red Book Valuation report is valid for three months. However, this can be extended by an additional three months if necessary.
Yes. Using historical data, we can determine the value of a property for a date in the past.
No. We no longer provide valuations as part of residential surveys. The cost of Insurance to cover this work has increased exponentially across the industry. It is no longer economically feasible for us to offer this service.