What is a House Survey?

A house survey is a professional assessment of the condition of a property at a moment in time. It will highlight any issues found in a clear format, usually in a digital survey report. Your home or property is often one of the most expensive purchases you make, so it is important to make sure you know as much about it as possible before you buy, live in it or when you think about selling it.

A house survey will usually check the condition of the property and the surveyor will inspect various elements including structural components, services such as plumbing and the electrics, and other environmental factors. They will inspect both the interior and exterior but are limited to areas that are visible and accessible. This means they sometimes will recommend further inspections by specialists for certain issues, such as damp or timber problems, which may require a more thorough inspection.

Yes a homebuyer’s survey will make note of a damp problem if they have come across it during their inspection. The surveyor will look for various indicators of damp and condensation, from visible signs like musty smells, peeling wallpaper and mould.

If there is evidence of a damp problem a more thorough investigation may be required by a damp surveyor with either a Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatments (CSRT) or a Certificated Surveyor of Timber & Dampness in Buildings (CSTDB) qualification.They will be able to identify the type of damp, and check for any structural damage to timber as the moisture may have caused fungal decay.

There are numerous types of house surveys, which range from basic overviews to more thorough inspections. If a specialist comes across issues which require further inspection, such as structural repairs, damp, woodworm, fungal decay or even asbestos, they may suggest you carry out a further survey.

This is the most basic survey which will provide an overview of the buildings condition. It will identify any urgent defects or problems. This type of survey is suitable for newer properties that are in a good condition. 

This is the most thorough type of survey, and will alert you to hidden issues or potential risks. It is recommended for older properties, especially those in poor condition or underground renovation.

The chartered surveyor will recommend you get an additional survey from a specialist if they come across certain issues during these inspections. For preservation issues Peter Cox offers detailed property surveys to identify and address issues like damp, wood rot, and woodworm.

Our surveyors use advanced tools such as thermal imaging cameras to conduct thorough internal and external inspections. A detailed report is provided within three days of the survey, including findings, photos, suggested treatment or works required, and outline costs.

A house survey or pre purchase damp and timber survey is important because they provide detailed insight into the condition of a property and alert you to hidden issues or potential risks. This gives you a powerful tool to renegotiate your offer, budget accordingly or rethink the purchase entirely.

Arranging a house survey with Peter Cox will give you peace of mind that a qualified and experienced surveyor has identified any issues in a thorough and detailed report, with recommendations for work if necessary.

We have over 70 years of experience in the property preservation industry with a network of local branches across the country, meaning trained and qualified surveyors on your doorstep.

If you book a house survey with us you can expect a thorough and detailed survey from a trained surveyor, with all findings detailed in an easy to understand report, backed by photographic evidence. The report will detail any issues found and recommendations for further treatments, only when necessary.

A thorough investigation of the outside and inside the property, to identify any sources of moisture ingress

• The use of specialist tools and equipment to fully understand the extent of the problem and provide evidence
• Describe the scale and scope of the preservation and restoration issues in the property
• Delivery of a thorough and detailed report outlining the findings
• Outline of any costs involved for remedial work
• Details of any long term guarantees, if applicable

• ---

  What surveys are needed when buying a house?

  In England and Wales, it is not a legal requirement to get a homebuyers survey before you purchase it. However it is highly recommended as the survey may provide you with detailed information which may influence your decision, such as costly repairs or remedial work.

  In Scotland, any house for sale requires a Home Report, a specific type of report. This report is arranged by the seller of the property before they put it on the market, and it is made available to buyers and estate agents for the duration that the property is for sale.

• ---

  Why is a house survey important?

  A house survey will provide a detailed assessment of the property, and will highlight any issues that may require costly repairs or rethink the purchase entirely.

• ---

  What devalues a house in a survey?

  Numerous issues may lead to a property being devalued, but the most common issues that building surveyors will come across include subsidence, roof damage, damp and fungal decay or hazardous materials such as asbestos. Other more issues like poor electrics or plumbing can also affect the value of a house. The surveyor will also highlight poor maintenance and building defects that would also need to be addressed if purchasing a property.

• ---

  Do sellers have to disclose damp?

  Yes, you are required to legally disclose any known problems when selling a house. This is to allow transparency and avoid potential legal problems. However, often damp and timber problems are hidden and haven’t been discovered by the seller. This is why it is so important to carry out a thorough inspection from a trained professional when purchasing a property.

• ---

  Should you avoid buying a house with damp?

  It is fine to purchase a house with damp, but you should first carry out a damp and timber survey to fully understand the extent of the problem and the potential costs of damp proofing. This can be used to negotiate with the seller, and often damp proofing comes with long term guarantees so you know the property will be protected long term. If however the repair costs are higher than expected or the seller is unwilling to negotiate, you can always walk away from the purchase.

• ---

  What should you do before buying a house with damp?

  If you are thinking of buying a property with a damp problem, you should get a professional damp and timber survey to assess the condition of the problem and confirm the type of damp affecting the property. This will give you an understanding of the potential costs of treatment before you’ve committed to purchasing the property.

If you require a specialist damp and timber survey for your property, or a property you are thinking of purchasing, book a professional inspection from a Peter Cox surveyor today.