YEARS AS A CHARTERED SURVEYOR
COMMERCIAL SURVEYS COMPLETED
PROPERTY VALUATIONS UNDERTAKEN
HOME SURVEYS DELIVERED ON TIME
House Surveys
You may think that a mortgage valuation offers you protection, but it does not.
However, an independent survey will protect you. These house surveys will provide you with a good understanding of the property, along with any defects.
Remember, the bank must give you the option to acquire an independent survey from a surveyor impartial to the bank.
Why not speak to us first? Protect your investment with our local, qualified surveyors independent from networks and panels.
“To buy or not to buy, that is the question.”
Buying a home is the biggest financial risk and commitment you may ever make. A quality property surveyor can help you minimise that risk. Find out why hiring a trained and experienced surveyor is worth the investment here.
A complete list of home surveys and reports
Charters-Reid Surveyors Ltd offer a full range of house surveys throughout the Yorkshire region to meet your needs. These range from a basic single defect report through to a full building survey. We can also tailor a report to meet your specific requirements if none of our standard formats are exactly right for you.
HOME MOVERS SURVEY
One of the most common surveys we are requested to provide, this report is suitable for conventional houses and flats in reasonable condition.
The home movers survey is designed to help you make an informed judgement whether or not to proceed with the purchase. It highlights any urgent or significant matters and future maintenance issues.
This survey also includes a market valuation and a reinstatement figure for insurance purposes.
PRC CERTIFICATE
As a result of a building material shortage after World War II, banks, building societies, and mortgage lenders now require evidence from suitably qualified professionals. Our chartered surveyors can provide the requisite Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete (PRC) repair certificate to allow the sale to proceed.
PRC houses often fall under the more general category of non-traditional housing. Non-traditional housing often refers to anything that is not a conventional brick or timber frame structure. This can include a steel frame, cast in-situ concrete, and PRC construction.
These non-traditional construction materials, though not always problematic, can sometimes suffer structural issues. A buyer of these properties would be well advised to have a specialist building survey when buying one, as PRC houses are more tricky and many lenders will not grant mortgages on them.
Speak with a member of our team about a PRC certificate for your potential home.
FULL BUILDING SURVEY
A detailed and comprehensive inspection suitable for all properties, this report provides detailed information on both construction and its condition. This survey identifies a property’s major defects, consequences and implications of those defects, and advice on repairs.
STRUCTURE ONLY SURVEY
This report is intended to provide guidance on the main structure of a property.
It involves inspection of the main roofs and roof voids, walls, and floors. It also includes inspections for damp, beetle and fungal infestation.
It does not include any comment on joinery, internal fittings and finishes, services, drains, garages, outbuildings or grounds and boundaries.
Speak with a member of our team about structure only surveys.
SINGLE DEFECT REPORT
This report is suitable for a single defect such as cracking to an external wall or inspection of cavity wall-ties.
It’s useful when a mortgage valuation has identified a potential problem and requires a more experienced chartered building surveyor to investigate and outline any necessary repairs.
INDEPENDENT PROPERTY VALUATION
If you are a cash buyer wishing to check if you are paying the correct price for a property or simply want professional advice on the true value of your home, this is the survey for you.
We also provide more formal valuations for probate, matrimonial, equity division, capital gains tax, and expert witness purposes.
Speak with a member of our team about an independent property valuation.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Historic buildings, like most properties, are often not what they seem. Repairs can be time consuming, costly and rather detailed.
It is often specialist repairs that need to be carried out on historic buildings, especially if the building is listed due to particular historic interest.
The city of York alone has over 2,000 listed buildings constructed prior to building regulations. This could mean a host of structural problems, but it is how you address and repair these issues that counts.
Learn more about the importance of surveys on historic properties here.
FIRST TIME BUYER REPORTS
Speak with a member of our team for more details and to learn if a first time buyer report is right for you.
Home Mover’s Survey
Suitable for conventional houses and flats in reasonable condition
“The Home Mover’s Survey is surprisingly good value for money. We can also provide a Valuation Report as we are RICS registered valuers”
sOur Home Mover’s Survey is particularly in-depth and proves to be our most economical value-for-money survey.
One of the main benefits of the Home Mover’s Survey is that it has a specialist section where clients can ask a series of independent questions. We are innovative, forward-thinking surveyors who can offer you a focused service.
We recognise that despite the IT-driven world in which we live, our business is still a people business. Our Home Mover’s Survey takes into consideration each person’s special requirements for that particular property.
The Home Mover’s Survey will make a reasoned and informed decision whether to go ahead with purchasing the property.
It will also determine what is a reasonable price to pay for the property, taking into account necessary repairs or replacements.
At Charters-Reid Surveyors, we of course try to add value to the process and we are happy to meet you on-site to discuss the report in detail. We will always deal with any follow-up enquiries that you have.
The Home Mover’s Survey is surprisingly good value for money. Other house surveys and services we provide includes a Valuation Report, as we are RICS registered valuers.
The Home Mover’s Survey is most suitable for properties in need of minor to general renovations and repairs. Once you have received your report, we are happy to speak with you over the phone to break everything down and provide you with guidance.
The most appropriate kind of inspection is not one size fits all. That is why in the Home Mover’s Report, we try to address your specific requirements and understand what you really need.
The Home Mover’s Survey contains information in a simple, straightforward form which is easy to read and understand.
Our surveyors can provide you with the insights you need to make informed and financially astute decisions about your big move, anywhere in Yorkshire.
We specialise in pre-purchase house surveys
We are your local surveyor, specialising in professional property work.
The object of a Home Mover’s Survey is to tell you about the condition of the property. Assuming that all the relevant areas are accessible for inspection, we can tell you about the condition of the roof, state of the walls, floors, ceilings and partitions. We can also advise as to whether any structural movement or settlement has taken place. Our surveyors area also able to provide an overview on the electrical installation, boiler, central heating and hot and cold water.
Do you need a Home Mover’s Survey?
All too often purchasers experience unplanned expenditure within the first year of buying a property. This is mainly because a survey was not commissioned prior to purchase. As budgets usually tighten the first few years, can you afford to take the risk?
Full Building Survey
A detailed and comprehensive inspection suitable for all properties
“It is particularly suitable for older properties or properties which have had major alterations over the years”
A building survey, or a structural survey, is a very comprehensive inspection. It is suitable for any property, regardless of its age or condition. Suitable building types include:
- All listed buildings
- Buildings of unusual construction
- Properties in need of refurbishment or renovation
- Dwellings built before 1900
What is included?
- An in-depth report on the structure of the roof, walls and floors
- All major defects
- Consequences and implications
- Advice on repairs
- Extensive technical information
- Detailed comment on services
- Recommendations for further repair work
Who performs the survey?
Your building survey will be carried out by a fully qualified Chartered Building Surveyor who is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a Chartered Builder and also a member of the Association of Building Engineers.
Your surveyor will usually look at the complete property and give a detailed opinion regarding the state of the building.
It is particularly suitable for older properties or properties which have had major alterations over the years. It is also suitable for properties which appear to have problems that require further investigation.
Which localities do our building surveys cover?
We’re happy to offer building surveys in Leeds, York, Scarborough and surrounding areas.
A building survey in Leeds might differ greatly from a survey in York, for instance. This is due to a variety of factors, including building materials used and local property usage trends. Thankfully, we have yet to encounter a building we can’t get the measure of!
Is a “Full Building Survey” right for me?
Often a full building survey is not necessary. We have a range of other surveys starting at £199 that may be more appropriate and better value for your specific requirements.
Contact our friendly support team who will be happy to provide you with a telephone consultation, free of charge.
Before placing an order for a survey, always ask the surveyor to confirm that they have adequate experience, insurance, qualifications, and accreditation to perform the that specific type of survey.
Defects Report
A Defects Report is like a laser-targeted survey
“A Defects Report is like a laser-targeted survey that inspects a specific problem or range of problems”
A Defects Report is like a laser-targeted survey, inspecting a specific problem or range of problems identified in a previous survey. In the industry, surveyors commonly call for specialist advice on niche problems. We can offer this advice at competitive prices.
A defect report looks closely at one or more defects, often identified on a mortgage valuation. If you are concerned about a particular issue on your prospective property, this can be a useful, cost effective report. Often, it is also the best way to solve a problem with either the sale or purchase of a property.
Yes, we can solve the problem
Excessive moisture, soil movement, foundation problems or hidden deterioration can have a significant impact on a property. Getting a professional opinion helps provide answers and explains the potential solutions, as well as consequences down the line if the problem is ignored.
We report on a wide range of specific defects including:
- dampness (condensation, penetrating, and rising dampness)
- decay (timber decay, rotten window frames and sills, door frames, beams etc.)
- dry rot, woodworm
- walls (cracks, bulges, movement)
- on the roof (defective roof covering etc.)
- in the roof
- structural settlement
- subsidence
- heave
- infestation
- poor workmanship
- defective materials
- urgent matters that are a threat to the fabric of the building
We give advice on the root cause and extent of actual or potential damage. We will also provide a range of suggestions for remedial work.
The scope of this survey will be specific to your needs. Depending upon findings, the brief can be altered as the survey goes along.
We’re happy to travel
Our crack team of chartered surveyors operate across Yorkshire in its entirety. This makes us an ideal choice for defects reports in Leeds, York, rural North Yorkshire or anywhere else in the vicinity.
We’re always willing to be flexible regarding the time and date of our visit – call us to request a defects report and we’ll happily offer plenty of options.
We are the experts for Listed Buildings
Your current surveyor may have introduced Charters-Reid Surveyors Ltd as experts at resolving problems with Listed Buildings. Other property consultants often approach us to take a closer look at potential problems.
Our team of building surveyors, structural engineers and service engineers can provide reports and updates as jobs are completed to ensure that all parties are fully informed and aware of the implications of the defect report.
Is a “Defects Report” the right survey for me?
Often a Defects Report is not required, and there may be other surveys that are more suitable.
We have a many different surveys available, with some starting at £199. We have different survey types to fit most budgets.
Contact our defect experts who will be able to guide your decision with a free telephone consultation.