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If you live in a rental or social-housing property, then you may be asked to prepare for a stock condition survey to take place in your home. All social housing properties within the UK are required to fall within the ‘Decent Home Standard’ as part of the law. This includes ensuring that your home is an adequate size, has a kitchen that is 20 years old or less, possess sufficient heating and ventilation, and more. This can often be a routine inspection, so it’s best to be clued up on what to expect, and why they’re required in the first place. 

So what exactly is a housing stock condition survey? A stock condition housing survey, otherwise known as a stock condition report (SCR) is a detailed visual inspection of the inside and outside of a property. They are typically used in rental properties to check for damages or any maintenance issues that need attention. 

Usually, a SCR does not take longer than 30-minutes to complete, but we understand that they may feel invasive and intrusive. Despite this, they are solely designed to help ensure that your property is of a reasonable standard. To help you learn more about this survey, and why they are used, our expert team at Crest Chartered Surveyors have written this short guide for you to explore. Simply keep reading to learn more about SCR’s. 

What is a Stock Condition Housing Survey for?

The standard of social housing in the UK has been in a state of disrepair since the 1980s. In the early 2000s, this issue began to be confronted with the emergence of the Social Housing Green Paper, followed by the approved Social Housing White Paper, which was approved in late 2020. Completed with the Levelling Up White Paper, a new set of reviews and guidelines were issued that required full reviews of social housing, and an urgency to address the improvements to living standards. 

The result was the use of a Housing Stock Condition Survey to provide a quick, yet thorough visual inspection of a property by an impartial, RICS-qualified professional. This survey is typically paid for by landlords or housing managers and is a great way to ensure that properties are being maintained and meet the current living standards. After the inspection, your Chartered Surveyor will write a report detailing all findings, a review of the current living condition, and a list of any maintenance issues if any are unveiled. 

What is inspected in a Stock Condition Housing Survey?

During a SCR, all the rooms and cupboards inside your property will be visually inspected for defects or maintenance needs. In particular, your RICS-trained surveyor will examine:

• Cracks
• Damp
• Unpleasant smells
• Spongy floors
• Crooked walls
• Appliances
• Heating systems
• Doors
• Windows
• Ventilation

The outside of the property will also be examined. This will include:

• Windows
• Doors
• Roof and Guttering
• Fences and boundaries
• Paths
• Access

How long do they usually take?

The duration of your inspection will depend entirely on the size of your property. Usually, they do not last longer than 30 minutes to 1 hour. You don’t need to do anything to prepare for your inspection; they are solely used to check if there are any issues for the landlord or property management company to address, such as if appliances are not working properly, or if any defects need fixing. 

What happens if a surveyor finds a problem?

Following your survey, a report will be sent to the landlord or property manager that details all findings, including the current condition of the property, and any defects that require maintenance. Finding minor defects during inspections is normal, and typically nothing to worry about. 

Who pays for any issues to be resolved will depend on your situation. If you live in social housing, then it’s usually the responsibility of your landlord or property manager to pay for any repairs. If you rent privately, then who pays depends on who caused the damage. For example, if the damage was caused by the tenant, then it will be their responsibility to pay. On the other hand, if the damage in question falls under property maintenance, then they will be required to fix any issues. If you have any questions, your surveyor will be able to provide you with more information. 

Enquire for your Stock Condition Housing Survey with Crest Chartered Surveyors in London

If you’re looking for a RICS-qualified surveyor to carry out a Stock Condition Housing Survey on your property, then get in touch with one of our valued team members today. Our tailored service includes a consultation, a full valuation and a completed report detailing our findings. We provide ourselves with cost-effective, high-quality service that’s accessible for all those available in London and the surrounding counties. 

When buying a property, you’re faced with a whole range of fees and a homebuyer’s survey may seem like just another expense. In this article, our RICS chartered surveyor explains why a homebuyer’s survey is worth it when buying a house, and talks you through the different types of house surveys available to ensure you choose the right one for your needs.

So, is it worth getting a homebuyer’s survey? Homebuyers surveys and other types of house surveys are 100% worth it when purchasing a property as they highlight current and potential problems that you may encounter with the property. This can save both time and money further down the road. Alternatively, house surveys can help buyers to prioritise repairs when purchasing a fixer-upper.

Read on to learn more about homebuyer’s surveys, including the different types available and how much they cost. 

Are House Surveys Worth it?

House surveys are 100% worth the investment when buying a property, however, to get the most out of a survey, you must select the right one for your needs. The right survey could save you a great deal of time and money down the road; they highlight any current problems and any potential problems that may occur at a later date. 

Not all house surveys hold the same level of value for each and every homebuyer. For some, a simple homebuyer survey will suffice, provided that the property is relatively new and free of major damages. For older homes or those that have obvious damage, a building survey or a defect analysis survey may be more useful.

For tenants and landlords, stock condition surveys and schedules of dilapidations may be useful additional surveys once a property has been purchased. These surveys allow tenants and landlords to stay on top of the condition of a property throughout its lifetime, not just at the purchase stage. 

Different Types of House Surveys – Which Do You Need?

Below you’ll find more information about each type of house buyers survey, the situations in which they’re commonly used, their benefits and more to help you make an informed decision about which house buyers survey you need and if they are, indeed, worth it for your circumstances.

Homebuyer Survey

Homebuyer surveys are typically used to assess a property, both internally and externally. There is usually a particular focus on the property beyond what can be seen physically, such as hidden defects, decay, and dampness. Further to this, a homebuyer survey will typically look at ceilings, roofs, walls, bathrooms, and kitchens, as well as any permanent outdoor structures and features, such as outbuildings, roofing, pipes and guttering.

Money spent on a homebuyer survey can save you a fortune in the future and help you avoid expensive surprises after you have moved in. 

Homebuyer surveys are most useful for properties that have been built of standard construction within the last 50 years that don’t show signs of major faults. Choose between:

• RICS Condition Report
• RICS Homebuyer Report
• New-Build Snagging Survey

Building Survey

Building surveys are similar to homebuyer surveys but are more tailored towards older buildings or those that show obvious signs of defects. This report is more comprehensive than a homebuyer’s survey and provides detailed advice on repairs.

Typically, building surveys cost more than a homebuyer’s survey but they are worth the investment if you’re considering buying an older home, a fixer-upper, or if you noticed signs of defects during a viewing.

Defect Analysis Survey

If you’ve noticed a specific fault or defect in the property you’re buying, a defect analysis survey can help you to determine the extent of the fault, the cause of the fault, whether or not it is likely to get worse over time, and recommendations for repair. Defect analysis surveys can assess:

• Dampness
• Structural issues
• Roof defects
• Downpipe and guttering defects
• Much more

Typically, defect analysis surveys are much more cost-effective than a full building survey and are worth the investment to ensure that your potential new home is structurally sound.

Stock Condition and Schedule of Dilapidation Surveys

Ideal for landlords and, in some cases, tenants, stock condition and schedule of dilapidation surveys can provide additional value on top of a house survey. These surveys allow you to keep on top of the condition of a property post-purchase and throughout its lifetime. 

How Much Do Homebuyer Surveys Cost?

There is no standard cost for homebuyer’s surveys as the cost depends on the type of survey needed, the size of the property and other factors which could impact the cost. At Crest Surveyors, the cost of our homebuyers surveys start from;

• £699 for a 2-bed house/bungalow to £849 for a 5-bed flat
• £649 for up to a 2-bed flat to £799 for a 5-bed flat
• Properties valued at £1 million or higher are charged at a higher fee
• Other house surveys are subject to different rates

Homebuyers Surveys at Crest Surveyors

At Crest Surveyors, we provide homebuyer’s surveys and other house surveys across London and Surrey. With years of industry experience and in-depth knowledge of our local area, we work to provide you with the highest quality of service to let you know if there are any issues or defects with your property or potential new purchase. 

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced mover, you’ll need a Homebuyer Survey to provide you with a full understanding of the building’s current condition. Our local and affordable services are here to help you make the process simple and easy. Contact our RICS-qualified specialists today to book your survey.

The UK’s shared ownership scheme was introduced in the 1980s, but has become increasingly more popular over the last five years, especially in relation to purchasing a new build property in a Government-backed project. The scheme allows those who may find it difficult to get on the property ladder the opportunity to purchase a home through a part ownership, part rent strategy. In other words, you own a certain percentage of the property, and pay rent on the remaining percentage. 

But, is buying a shared ownership property a good idea? If you’re looking for a more affordable means to purchase your own home, then exploring your options with a shared ownership scheme is a good idea. However, before you purchase a new home, you’ll need to ensure that you check for hidden costs such as maintenance fees or service charges, which may increase your monthly outgoings. 

A RICS registered surveyor will be able to help and advise you further on the shared ownership scheme, what it could mean for you and investigate any potential issues with your property with a survey. To help you learn more about what shared ownership means for you, we’ve explained all the essential information below. Simply keep reading to learn more. 

Is it worth buying a shared ownership property?

If you’re looking for a way to jump onto the property ladder, but can’t borrow enough for a mortgage in the current market, then shared ownership offers you an opportunity to purchase a percentage of a property instead. From here, you pay a mortgage on the percentage that you own, and pay rent on the remaining share. Because of your reduced mortgage, you also pay a reduced deposit, meaning that the costs are lower to purchase a home. This makes this scheme a more affordable option for those looking to buy a home. 

With a shared ownership, you also have the potential to buy more shares of your property if you desire. This is a process known as ‘staircasing’, which means that you work your way towards owning the whole property, although this isn’t a requirement. It’s worth noting that the process of purchasing more shares can be costly and complicated; it is likely that you will need the guidance of a RICS Chartered Surveyor to help you. 

How does the shared ownership scheme work?

Typically, with the shared ownership scheme, you will be able to purchase a share of the home between 25% and 75%. A bank, housing association or private developer will own the remaining percentage, and you will pay rent to them. The rent you pay will be no higher than 3% of the value of the percentage that the landlord owns. For example, if you own 40% of a home worth £200,000, then each year you will pay £3,300 of rent, equal to £275 a month. Further details on renting costs can be found on the GOV UK website. 

Do shared ownership properties increase in value?

As with non-shared ownership properties, the value of your house will increase or decrease in line with the current housing market. If the housing market increases, then so will the overall worth of your percentage share. If you are considering selling your shared ownership property, then the value of which your share is worth will be determined by a RICS Chartered Surveyor. 

When does the shared ownership scheme end?

As it stands, the current Government-backed scheme does not have an end date. However, most shared ownership properties are leasehold, meaning that you simply have the right to ‘occupy’ the home, and do not own the land forever. Most leasehold agreements are between 99 years to 125 years, meaning that the end of your lease agreement should not be a factor of concern during your ownership. This is especially the case in relation to new build properties. To learn more about your lease agreement, or to have one of our expert team members calculate your leasehold end date in any London-based property, simply get in touch with one of our trustworthy RICS Chartered Surveyors. 

Crest Surveyors are here to help

If you’re in London, and you’re seeking more guidance or information on your shared ownership property, simply reach out to one of our RICS-qualified team members today. We offer affordable and reliable services to ensure that your purchase, remortgage or staircasing opportunities for your shared ownership property goes smoothly. Simply get in touch to learn more about how we can help you. 

The rules around stamp duty have changed in recent months, which may make it a little difficult to know and understand if, or what, you owe when purchasing a property. In this article, we specifically look at new build properties, and when stamp duty must be paid on these properties.

So, do you pay stamp duty on new build properties? New build properties are not exempt from stamp duty, and are subject to the same rates as older properties. However, buyers currently do not pay stamp duty on properties up to £250,000 (£425,000 for first-time buyers). 

Read on to learn more about stamp duty and when you can expect to pay it.

Do you have to pay stamp duty on new build houses in the UK?

New build properties are not exempt from stamp duty in the UK, however there are different rates of stamp duty depending on the value of the property and a number of other considerations, therefore not all buyers are subject. As of September 2022, this threshold sits at £250,000 (or £425,000 for first-time buyers) regardless of whether the property is new or pre-owned.

Do you pay stamp duty on a new build as a first time buyer?

First-time buyers do not pay stamp duty on a property up to the value of £425,000. This is on both new and pre-owned properties. After this threshold and up to £625,000, first-time buyers are subject to 5% stamp duty on that additional portion of the purchase price. 

When do you pay stamp duty?

Buyers are subject to stamp duty on most domestic properties, regardless of whether it is a new build property, a pre-owned property, a commercial property, or a buy-to-let property. But, it all comes down to thresholds and rates…

Stamp duty rates

Stamp duty is paid on portions of the property price, rather than on the whole price. For example, if a property cost between £250,001 and £675,000, you would pay 5% stamp duty on that portion of the price only, not on the whole price. 

Current stamp duty rates are:

Property value	Stamp duty rate	Stamp duty rate on additional properties
Up to £250,000 (£425,000 for first-time buyers)	0%	3%
The next £675,000 (from £250,001 to £925,000)	5%	8%
The next £575,000 (from £925,001 to £1.5 million)	10%	13%
The rest of the amount (over £1.5 million)	12%	13%

Situations where special rates apply include:

• A property purchased by corporate bodies
• If you’re purchasing six or more properties in one go
• Shared ownership homes
• Multiple purchases and transfers between the same seller and buyer
• Residential property purchased by companies and trusts.

Can stamp duty be waived?

Whilst most  properties are subject to stamp duty, there are some circumstances where a buyer could gain relief or be fully exempt. These include:

• If no money is exchanged for land or property transfer
• If a property is left in a will
• If a property is transferred due to divorce or dissolution of civil partnership
• If a freehold property costs less than £40,000
• If you buy a new or assigned lease of less than 7 years, as long as the amount you pay is less than the residential threshold or non-residential threshold of stamp duty

What happens if you don’t pay stamp duty?

If you owe stamp duty on a property and don’t pay, you will be subject to penalties from HMRC, however, in most cases this will be handled by your solicitor. These penalties are as follows:

Lateness of submission	Penalty amount
Up to 12 months	10% of the duty charge (maximum of £300)
12-24 months	20% of the duty charge
More than 24 months	30% of the duty charge

If you’re then late in paying these fees, you’ll also be subject to interest on top of what you owe from late submission.

Get Help From the Experts

At Crest Surveyors, we boast of a team of RICS Registered Valuers and Chartered Surveyors proficient and experienced at valuing a wide range of properties. We’ll provide you with a reliable valuation at an affordable price, as well as advising on if and how much stamp duty may be owed if you proceed with purchasing a property. Get in touch with us today for more information.

In 2013, the UK government introduced a new Help to Buy scheme that supported the mission of first time buyers to purchase their first home. This scheme included an equity loan, which allowed buyers to purchase a property with only a 5% deposit, as the loan provided cover from 5% to 20% of the purchase price. Once the sale of the house was completed, the buyer was then provided with 5-years free payments on the equity loan. 

So, what happens if you decide to sell your Help to Buy property within those first 5 years? If you took out a 20% equity loan and decided that you’re going to sell your Help to Buy property within 5 years, then you will need to pay back the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) 20% of the house value. 

This is completed at the time you sell your home so that the HCA is repaid for the money they loaned to you. We can understand that this is a complex process, so to answer your questions we’ve put together this short guide to explain how to sell your help to buy property within the first 5 years. 

Simply keep reading to learn more. 

Can I sell my Help to Buy property within 5 years?

Yes, you have the freedom to sell your property within the first 5 years of ownership if you purchased your home using the Help to Buy scheme. The main reason why the first 5 years of ownership is interest free on your equity loan is to provide you with a chance to pay back as much of the loan as possible before interest accrues. If you decide to sell before you’ve paid back your loan, then you will be required to pay back the percentage value of the loan from the overall sales cost. 

For example, if you paid a 5% deposit on your home, and had a 75% mortgage, then you would have borrowed a 20% equity loan to cover the remaining cost of purchasing the property. If you sold your house before paying back the full amount of the loan, then you will need to pay back 20% of the house value at the time that you sell. For a house that’s worth £180,000, this amount would be £36,000. 

How does the Help to Buy scheme work? 

The concept of the Help to Buy scheme was to allow first time buyers to jump onto the property ladder with a small 5% deposit. Typically, to purchase a property you will need a deposit of 10% or above. For a house that’s worth £450,000, which is the maximum amount you can purchase for using Help to Buy in London, the deposit would amount to £22,500, compared to a minimum 10% deposit which would be required without this scheme (£45,000). 

With this help, you could then purchase a new build home, a home through shared ownership, or contribute towards the cost of building a new home. 

The Help to Buy scheme closed to new applications on the 31st of October 2022, with it formally ending in the UK on the 21st of March 2023. 

What do I have to pay back if I’m selling my Help to Buy property?

You may be confused about the different types of costs that you will need to pay if you’re considering selling your Help to Buy property. Your equity loan will be the main cost that will need to be repaid. For more information on how much you have to pay, or to access an online calculator, explore the HCA website. 

What happens if my Help to Buy house is worth less than what I bought it for?

There are various internal and external factors that contribute towards your house decreasing in value from the time you purchased it. This could include rising interest rates, events within the local area, damage to the property, and more. So, in the instance where your house is now worth less than the price you bought it for, what happens to paying back your equity loan?

If you sell your house before paying back your equity loan, then you will pay back the percentage of the loan you borrowed at the house’s current market value. In other words, if you bought a property for £450,000 in London with a 20% equity loan from the Help to Buy scheme, and the price of the property fell to £420,000, then you would pay back 20% of the new valuation price, and not the price you bought the house for. 

Who do I need to contact if I want to sell my Help to Buy home?

One of the most important factors to keep in mind when selling your property within 5 years, is that you will need your house survey and valuation to be completed by a RICS qualified surveyor. This is to ensure that valuation is accurate, and checks every detail required to provide the most thorough cost estimate. 

Why choose Crest Surveyors?

At Crest Surveyors, all of our surveyors are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), providing RICS property valuations and property surveys . This means that not only do you receive a service second to none, but also receive the quickest and most cost-effective solutions for your survey and valuation needs. 

A commercial property is an estate that is used for commercial purposes and is estimated to generate profit. Commercial properties usually accommodate activities such as retail stores, shops, offices, pubs, medical centres and cafes as a few examples, and the value of such a  property depends on its income, but there are a number of other ways you can assess the value of a commercial property.

So, how do you calculate a commercial valuation? You can calculate a commercial valuation by looking at the cost, sales comparisons, value per door, income capitalisation and gross rent multiplier. Some of these factors are more suited to certain properties, so it is important to understand the purpose of the property valuation when choosing the calculations you will use.

Read on to find out more on how we work out the different calculations when it comes to commercial property valuations.

How Do You Value a Commercial Building?

In order to calculate a valuation of a commercial property, you need to follow specific steps to make sure you receive the correct figure.

Cost

To determine a commercial property valuation, you need to understand the cost of the land, plus the cost of construction which it has undergone. This is a simple way to start estimating the value of the property in order to produce an approximate figure.

Cost of Land + Cost of Construction = Commercial Value

Sales Comparison

This technique works out the market prices of available and similar properties currently on the market. Start by listing out the detailed characteristics of your commercial property specifically and make sure to include the number of floors, number of rooms and the floor area in this listing. This will help you to then find the prices of any similar properties which are currently listed on the market.

Value Per Door

This method is necessary if you are determining the value of apartments/shared office spaces that are of the same quality. This is worked out by; the total price of one property, divided by the number of apartment units that are available to get the value per unit, or door. This figure is then used to determine the price of a similar apartment/office space, with a different number of available units. The figure of available units on another property is multiplied to the value per door to get the total value of the property.

Total Cost of the Property / Number of Units = Cost per Door

Income Capitalisation

This technique is used to calculate a gauge of a property by looking at the revenue of the business which is occupying the property. To calculate, first take the properties net annual rental income and divide by your estimate of the building value. (this is based on sales of similar ones in the local area) This will then give you the rate of return. Finally, take your net operating income and divide it by that figure.

Net Annual Rental Income / Estimate Building Value = Rate of Return

Net Operating Income / Rate of Return = Income Capitalisation

Gross Rent Multiplier 

This gives you an understanding of how long it will take to pay off property payments based on gross rental income. To simplify this, you just take the estimated property value or the total borrowed amount and divide it by the gross annual rental income.

Estimated Property Value / Gross Annual Rental Income = Gross Rent Multiplier

Do I Need to Get a Commercial Property Valuation and Who Should Get One?

If you know the value of the property, it gives you an advantage for any of the below scenarios:

• As a Seller – it gives you the knowledge of knowing how much your property should be sold or leased for. 
• As a tenant – This allows you to know if the monthly price payments you’ve been given are accurate.
• For a loan – mortgage lenders will run checks to ensure the amount they are lending to you is the correct amount.

Property Valuation Vs Property Survey

So now you understand commercial property valuation and how to calculate one, it is important to understand the difference between a property valuation and a survey. The two services have vast differences.

The terms of a property valuation and property survey are often interchangeable, leading to confusion. However, property valuation and surveys have different purposes. 

The purpose of a property valuation is to understand the property’s market value in preparation for buying or selling, whereas  a property survey is performed to determine the value of and any repairs that are required to a property. Surveys also  highlight any structural damage or faults ahead of buying a property. 

Learn more by reading our recent blog that goes into more detail about the differences between valuations and surveys.

Commercial Valuations at Crest Surveyors

At Crest Surveyors, all of our surveyors are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and provide quality RICS property valuations and property surveys across London and the Home Counties. Enquire today to find out how we can calculate a commercial valuation for your property.

FAQ’s

How Much Does a Commercial Property Valuation Cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all cost when it comes to commercial property valuations. However, when trying to work out an estimated cost, the following information must be taken into account; the size of the property, the location and the age of the property.

Before you purchase a property, it’s important to know the exact condition of the building, framework and structure. From structural concerns, such as cracks, to issues regarding damp or roof repairs, a building survey allows a full understanding by a trained professional to bring any issues to attention. For this reason, they should be an essential part of anyone’s property purchase journey.

So, what exactly is a defect analysis survey? Also known as a building survey, a defect analysis is an in-depth report that details any current or potential problems with a building, and solutions on how they could be fixed. 

To learn more about building reports and why they’re important, simply keep reading this short guide written by our chartered accountants at Crest Surveyors.

When do you need to get a building survey report?

If it’s the first time you’re purchasing a property, you may be wondering when the best time to get a building survey completed is. To ensure that you’re happy to continue with purchasing the property, the best time to get a defect survey completed is after you’ve put in an offer and it has been accepted. 

This will enable you to discover if the building has any issues that you should be aware of before you’ve completed the purchase. In other words, it provides you with the opportunity to not go through with the sale if you’re unhappy with anything that you discover in the report. 

This safety net is especially essential to ensure that you’re protected against any unwanted costs to have the property repaired. For example, if you had a survey completed after purchasing a building and discovered that a crack in a supporting wall needed to be urgently repaired, it would be your responsibility to cover the full costs. 

How long does a building defect analysis take?

If you’re selling your house and the buyer has paid for a defect survey, you may be wondering how long it’ll take to complete, and how invasive the survey will be in your home. Typically, a survey can take around 2 hours to complete. 

It’s understandable to feel aprehensiveor nervous before having your property surveyed. Any surveyor that enters your home will be a trained professional, so they’ll understand your needs and concerns. For peace of mind, a surveyor should not need to look at any of your wardrobes or cupboards unless they are fitted into a wall. If you have any questions, you should be able to contact the surveyors in advance to have any worries eased. 

What type of issues does a building survey look for?

When a property is surveyed, the surveyor will typically look for any issues or concerns regarding:

• Dampness.
• Wall conditions.
• Structural defects.
• Roof defects (including the guttering and draining).
• Extension conditions, including any porches or conservatories. 
• External issues, such as trees or retaining walls. 
• Chimneys. 
• Building movement.

From any concerning cracks, to issues with dampness, leaks or problems with the roof, all areas of the building’s structure will be examined to determine any fault or potential issues. This will then be written up into a report for you to explore, including suggestions for repairing any problems quickly and in a cost effective manner. In some instances, the surveyor can also suggest approved and recommended tradespeople to fix any problems. 

What does a defect survey look like?

Once you receive your completed building survey, you’ll discover a completed report that details the date, time and weather conditions during the time of the survey, along with an outline of the property conducted room-by-room. Each section will detail if any issues with the property were found, along with their significance and recommended suggestions to fix any problems. 

If any issues are found, your report will also include the cause of any issues. For example, if there’s damp found on a wall, the report will detail if this was caused by a leak, ventilation issues, or any other found source. This will help to budget in any potential cost repairs if you wish to continue with purchasing the property. 

Do I really need to get a defect analysis survey?

Having a building analysis survey completed before you purchase a new property is not a legal requirement. In fact, it’s estimated that only around 20% of people have a survey completed to reduce costs, as highlighted by Churchill Insurance. But is this the right thing to do?

The truth is that while a property might appear structurally sound, only a trained professional will be able to tell you if it really is. Cutting out the cost of a survey during the buying process may open up the risk of any surprise payments after you’ve purchased the property that could be significantly higher than what a survey would be. So, is this really worth it? For peace of mind, and to ensure that you’re happy with your purchase, having a survey completed is always recommended. 

Why choose Crest Surveyors?

If you live in London or the surrounding counties, Crest Surveyors is here to help you on your property purchasing journey. We offer a full building analysis survey with budget in mind, meaning that we offer a fair and affordable price to help you find any issues with your potential new purchase. We are a RICS-approved surveyor, meaning that we’re fully qualified, trained and trusted. 

The team at Crest Surveyors also work to have your completed survey with you within 2-3 weeks. We know that purchasing a new property can be a stressful time, and we want to make sure that your survey is completed thoroughly and quickly so that you can focus on your new move. 

Our team is also here to help you with any questions that you may have. Whether it’s related to your survey, or you’re unsure how to use your completed survey, simply get in touch and we’ll guide you through any questions or concerns you may have. 

For a friendly and helpful service, get in touch with Crest Surveyors to learn more.