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Residential Surveys

Harrison Clarke offers two main types of pre-purchase residential surveys – a HomeBuyer report (a “Level 2” survey) or full building survey (a “Level 3” survey). We are also able to offer single defect inspection reports should your mortgage lender’s valuer flag up any structural or dampness issues for further investigation prior to lending.

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What is a Residential Survey?

We offer a premium level of service for all of our residential surveys, including a prompt turnaround and detailed reporting. 

An RICS HomeBuyer Report (Level 2 survey) will provide commentary on the condition of the property, provide guidance to legal advisers, highlight any urgent defects, repair methods, and provide ongoing maintenance advice. We recommend this type of survey for houses built within the last 100 years, of conventional construction and apparently in reasonable condition.

The RICS Building Survey (Level 3 survey) will provide everything detailed above but is a more comprehensive report tailored to suit your property. We recommend this type of survey for larger, older properties, those in poor condition, or if you are planning extensive works or alterations. This service includes building surveyor’s cost estimates of remedial work, in accordance with client requirements and specific instructions in writing.

These services are delivered in accordance with the Home Survey Standard (1st edition) RICS professional statement.

Should you require a bespoke structural or dampness report following a mortgage valuation, we recommend you call us on 023 8155 0051 as we will need to understand your specific circumstances. We are experienced in providing this type of report to mortgage lenders and can normally turn these reports around quickly.

Please note that while most lenders will accept structural and damp reports from MRICS qualified Chartered Building Surveyors, others will not, so we recommend that you (or your broker) inspect your lender’s exact requirements to ensure we can fulfil your exact requirements.

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Key features you should know about HomeBuyer Report (Level 2 Survey)

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A HomeBuyer report is aimed at purchasers of relatively simple residential properties which have been reasonably well maintained and have not been subject to extensive alterations or extensions.

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This report provides a ‘snapshot’ of how a building is performing on the day of the inspection, with reporting on each individual element of a property. If disrepair is identified, a HomeBuyer report will tell you how the property needs to be repaired or maintained. This will help you to decide whether the property you have fallen in love with is really right for you and your financial position. After you have read and digested your report, you are welcome to discuss its content with the surveyor who prepared the report, so you can be sure that all of your questions will be addressed.

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In all cases, at Harrison Clarke we exceed the reporting standards required for Level 2 Surveys by our professional body, RICS. The reason for this is that we only use experienced, qualified Chartered Building Surveyors to prepare residential surveys. Our surveyors’ primary expertise surrounds the construction of buildings, rather than focusing on valuation work, for example. This means that you can be safe in the knowledge that you are in expert hands.

Black arrow

A HomeBuyer report is aimed at purchasers of relatively simple residential properties which have been reasonably well maintained and have not been subject to extensive alterations or extensions.

Black arrow

This report provides a ‘snapshot’ of how a building is performing on the day of the inspection, with reporting on each individual element of a property. If disrepair is identified, a HomeBuyer report will tell you how the property needs to be repaired or maintained. This will help you to decide whether the property you have fallen in love with is really right for you and your financial position. After you have read and digested your report, you are welcome to discuss its content with the surveyor who prepared the report, so you can be sure that all of your questions will be addressed.

Black arrow

In all cases, at Harrison Clarke we exceed the reporting standards required for Level 2 Surveys by our professional body, RICS. The reason for this is that we only use experienced, qualified Chartered Building Surveyors to prepare residential surveys. Our surveyors’ primary expertise surrounds the construction of buildings, rather than focusing on valuation work, for example. This means that you can be safe in the knowledge that you are in expert hands.

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Key features you should know about Residential Building Survey (Level 3 Survey)

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A residential Building Survey is appropriate for any buyer of any type of residential property, particularly more complex properties or those in poor repair. Some clients prefer to upgrade to a Level 3 Survey for simpler, better maintained properties, as some feel this provides more information which can lead to better decision making when purchasing a property.

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This report offers everything included within a Level 2 survey, but with more detailed descriptions of the property’s condition, including narrative on potential issues which might arise in the future based on the construction type, condition and age. As an added bonus, we provide cost estimates for remedial works as standard with this report. In 2021, we found that the average cost of addressing disrepair to residential properties was around £17,500 – so if you are concerned about the cost of repair work, this report could be for you.

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It is only possible for really experienced and knowledgeable surveyors to prepare Level 3 Surveys, so at Harrison Clarke we ensure that only Chartered Building Surveyors with many years’ experience prepare this type of report. They will be on hand after you have read your report to address any further questions you might have. It is not uncommon for us to keep in touch with clients for weeks or even months after preparing Level 3 Surveys, to guide them through its recommendations, even once the client is living in their property.

Black arrow

A residential Building Survey is appropriate for any buyer of any type of residential property, particularly more complex properties or those in poor repair. Some clients prefer to upgrade to a Level 3 Survey for simpler, better maintained properties, as some feel this provides more information which can lead to better decision making when purchasing a property.

Black arrow

This report offers everything included within a Level 2 survey, but with more detailed descriptions of the property’s condition, including narrative on potential issues which might arise in the future based on the construction type, condition and age. As an added bonus, we provide cost estimates for remedial works as standard with this report. In 2021, we found that the average cost of addressing disrepair to residential properties was around £17,500 – so if you are concerned about the cost of repair work, this report could be for you.

Black arrow

It is only possible for really experienced and knowledgeable surveyors to prepare Level 3 Surveys, so at Harrison Clarke we ensure that only Chartered Building Surveyors with many years’ experience prepare this type of report. They will be on hand after you have read your report to address any further questions you might have. It is not uncommon for us to keep in touch with clients for weeks or even months after preparing Level 3 Surveys, to guide them through its recommendations, even once the client is living in their property.

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Contact Harrison Clarke for your Residential Survey

023 8155 0051

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  • 023 8155 0051
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  • 6, The Colonnade, Bridge Rd, Woolston, Southampton SO19 7QT
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