FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We serve the following areas:
- Surveyors in Barking and Dagenham London Borough
- Surveyors in Barnet London Borough
- Surveyors in Bexley London Borough
- Surveyors in Brent London Borough
- Surveyors in Bromley London Borough
- Surveyors in Camden London Borough
- Surveyors in Croydon London Borough
- Surveyors in Dartford Borough
- Surveyors in Ealing London Borough
- Surveyors in Enfield London Borough
- Surveyors in Epsom and Ewell Borough
- Surveyors in Gravesham Borough
- Surveyors in Greenwich London Borough
- Surveyors in Guildford Borough
- Surveyors in Hackney London Borough
- Surveyors in Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough
- Surveyors in Haringey London Borough
- Surveyors in Havering London Borough
- Surveyors in Hillingdon London Borough
- Surveyors in Hounslow London Borough
- Surveyors in Islington London Borough
- Surveyors in Kensington and Chelsea London Borough
- Surveyors in Kingston upon Thames London Borough
- Surveyors in Lambeth London Borough
- Surveyors in Lewisham London Borough
- Surveyors in Maidstone Borough
- Surveyors in Medway
- Surveyors in Merton London Borough
- Surveyors in Newham London Borough
- Surveyors in Redbridge London Borough
- Surveyors in Reigate and Banstead Borough
- Surveyors in Richmond upon Thames London Borough
- Surveyors in Sevenoaks District
- Surveyors in Southwark London Borough
- Surveyors in Sutton London Borough
- Surveyors in Tonbridge and Malling Borough
- Surveyors in Tower Hamlets London Borough
- Surveyors in Waltham Forest London Borough
- Surveyors in Wandsworth London Borough
- Surveyors in Westminster City
You must choose the correct level of survey report for your property. Choosing the wrong report will not give you the answers you need and will result in you having to spend more money to get the answers.
Many consumers come to us for a level three survey after receiving their level 2 survey results. The level 2 survey standard only permits the surveyor to only go into so much detail. It is, therefore essential that you choose the correct survey at the outset to avoid wasting time and money. You can check out our flow chart to help you choose the right survey
The instruction process is simple. Get an instant quote using our quote calculator on the home page of our website. To access the quote calculator now, just click here.
Fill out all the fields in the calculator, and we will send you a quote immediately. If you do not receive your quote within 5 minutes, check your junk folder or call us on 02036910451.
If you are happy with the quote, click on the “Buy Now” button, complete the instruction form and on the last page, click Confirm and pay.
Once you have paid, your instruction form will be sent directly to us, and your agent will be immediately notified of your instruction so they know to expect a call from us. We will coordinate and keep you informed throughout the whole process. All you need to do is confirm, pay and relax.
We endeavour to be as thorough as possible, listing all major defects and calculating costs so that you can make an informed decision. Depending on the service you have chosen, the size of the property and the number of defects found, your report could be returned anything between 7 and 14 working days subject to the size and condition of the property; buildings with a floor area above 1650 sq ft will take longer.
Once we have received your instruction, we will make all arrangements to access the property. Once access has been confirmed, we will inform you via email to let you know the survey’s date and time. Your report will be returned within the time frames agreed based on your survey package, which could be up to 14 working days, subject to size and condition.
No, we are a sustainable paperless practice. All of our reports are in electronic format.
If a request is made before a survey appointment has been arranged, and before the surveyor has attended the Property, we will issue a full refund.
Once a survey appointment has been arranged with your agent/vendor, we will charge and deduct from any refund due to an administration fee of £99 to cover the cost of coordinating your survey with your agent/vendor. Once the surveyor has attended the Property, no refund will be given.
No. We are not affiliated with any Lender or Estate agent. We are an independent RICS regulated practice and act solely for you and in your interest.
We are bound by the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR. We will never sell, lease, or share your data, such as email addresses, telephone numbers, and transaction particulars, with any third party.
We recommend a Full Building Survey when buying any leasehold/shared ownership house or flat. As a leaseholder, you are liable to pay towards repairing and maintaining the common parts. Although the Freeholder has a duty to repair and maintain the structure under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you as a leaseholder will have to pay a share of the costs.
As part of our full building survey, we will inspect all accessible common parts and report on the condition of the components. You will then be aware of any imminent section 20 notices.
We inspect the loft areas so long as the hatch is within the dwelling and no more than 3 metres from the floor level. Our surveyors carry telescopic ladders to access these areas. When surveying loft spaces, we check the structural timbers for significant timber defects and alterations, as well as adequate ventilation and waterproofing. We also check for hazardous substances such as asbestos insulation and check any building services such as tanks and wiring. In some circumstances, we may not walk around in the loft space if it is deemed unsafe due to weak or slender ceiling joists or excessive insulation placed over ceiling joists.
There are various factors to consider if you wish to convert the loft on your property, such as the size of the roof area. These include but are not limited to the pitch, height and existing floor area of the property and any existing extension. The layout of the below parts will also have a bearing on the feasibility of a loft conversion. As part of our level three survey, our surveyors will check the roof structure and the design of the below parts to determine whether you may convert the loft space. However, we do not provide architectural drawings or designs.
Yes, we undertake homebuyer level 2 survey reports. However, if the building has been altered in any way, such as internal alterations, loft conversions or extensions, we can only perform a level 3 survey in accordance with the RICS Home Survey Standard. For further information, check out our helpful flow chart, Which Survey
It is not possible to inspect underpinning as it is located underground in the soil, but we can look at drawings of its location (if available), and we will check the building to see if the underpinning has been effective. We also check various risk factors which could contribute to structural movement.
We do not provide project management services at this time.
We do not provide a same-day service for a final draft of a survey report but will provide a same-day summary for Level 3+ surveys. Delivering a final report on the same day would be a breach of the RICS Regulations. Surveyors must compile reports to a high standard and must use sufficient time for reflection. Our advice is never to purchase any report promising same-day delivery.
A property survey is a detailed inspection of a property’s condition, typically conducted by a chartered surveyor. You might need one for several reasons:
- Purchasing a Home: It provides an expert’s assessment of the property you’re planning to buy, highlighting any major issues before you commit to the purchase.
- Selling a Home: It helps you understand any issues that might affect the sale or valuation of your property.
- Building or Renovating: A survey can ensure that construction or renovation work is carried out to specific standards and within property boundaries.
- Legal Requirements: Certain legal situations may require a survey, such as boundary disputes or changes to property deeds.
- Insurance: Some insurers may require a survey to identify risks or establish the value of a property.
The survey’s findings can help you make informed decisions about purchasing, selling, or maintaining a property and can be used to negotiate prices or plan for future expenses.
The difference between a HomeBuyer Report and a Building Survey (often referred to as a full structural survey) primarily lies in the level of detail provided and the type of property they are intended for.
HomeBuyer Report:
- This is suitable for conventional properties in reasonable condition.
- It gives an overview of the property’s condition and identifies any major problems in an accessible format.
- It includes advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance.
- It might include issues that could affect the property’s value.
- It is less detailed than a Building Survey and usually less expensive.
- It typically does not include detailed advice on repairs or the potential costs.
Building Survey:
- This is comprehensive and is particularly useful for older, larger, or non-traditional properties, or if the building has been significantly altered, or if you plan to do so.
- It provides an in-depth analysis of the property’s condition.
- It includes advice on defects, repairs, and maintenance options.
- A Building Survey is more detailed and, therefore, typically more expensive.
- It offers a thorough analysis and gives detailed advice on dealing with any issues.
- It usually does not include a valuation, although this can be provided at an additional cost.
In summary, if you’re buying a property that seems in good condition or is a new build, a HomeBuyer Report might suffice. However, if you have any concerns about the structure of the property or if it’s an older or unique building, a Building Survey would be more appropriate.
During a property inspection, a surveyor from Flettons Surveyors will typically examine the following:
- Structural Integrity: Assessing the condition of the building’s foundation, walls, floors, and roof structure for any signs of settlement or movement.
- Roof: Inspect the roof covering for leaks, damaged tiles, or other wear and tear that could lead to water ingress.
- Dampness: Checking for any evidence of damp walls, floors, or ceilings, including rot or mould, which could indicate a breach in waterproofing or a lack of adequate ventilation.
- Insulation and Ventilation: Evaluating the adequacy of insulation and ventilation in the property to ensure energy efficiency and prevent condensation problems.
- Electrical Systems: A visual inspection of accessible electrical components such as wiring, service panels, breakers, and fuses to identify any visible safety hazards or outdated systems.
- Plumbing: Inspect plumbing fixtures, pipes, and drainage systems for signs of leaks, corrosion, or other damage.
- Heating and Cooling Systems: Inspect the boiler, air conditioning, water heater, and other systems for proper function and maintenance status.
- Windows and Doors: Examining windows and doors for proper sealing, operation, and the presence of any decay or breakdown.
- Interior Elements: Inspect internal walls, ceilings, floors, and staircases for damage or potential issues.
- External Elements: Assessing external walls, gutters, downspouts, and external joinery for condition and integrity.
- Pests: Looking for signs of pest infestations, such as damage from termites or rodents.
- Safety Hazards: Identifying any immediate safety hazards such as loose railings, broken steps, or other risks that could lead to injury.
The surveyor will also note any areas that were not inspected and why, which could include inaccessible roofs or sealed areas. It’s important to remember that a standard property survey is non-invasive, meaning surveyors do not look behind walls, under floors, or above ceilings and cannot move furniture or other heavy objects. If there are signs that suggest potential issues behind these surfaces, the surveyor may recommend further investigation by a specialist.
What type of survey do you need?
We have a variety of survey types suitable for both houses and flats. Check out our range below:
