When buying property how may viewing the property with a builder in addition to a surveyor be helpful?
Bringing a builder with you to view a property, in addition to a professional surveyor, can be highly beneficial for a number of reasons. While a surveyor provides an official, detailed, and impartial report on the property’s condition, a builder offers a more practical perspective, particularly if you’re considering renovations or repairs.
Here’s how each professional’s role complements the other:
The Surveyor’s Role
A surveyor, particularly a qualified professional like a RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) surveyor, is essential for a thorough and official assessment.
Their key contributions include:
- Identifying structural and hidden issues: Surveyors are trained to spot serious problems like subsidence, damp, structural movement, and issues with the roof or foundations that may not be obvious to the untrained eye.
- Providing an official report: The surveyor’s report is a formal document that can be used to negotiate a reduction in the asking price based on the cost of necessary repairs. This report is often required by mortgage lenders.
- Impartial and insured advice: A surveyor’s advice is impartial and backed by professional indemnity insurance, offering a layer of protection if they miss a significant issue.
- Assessing various property aspects: They will check legal and environmental issues, compliance with building regulations, and potential risks, offering a comprehensive overview of the property’s health.
The Builder’s Role
While a surveyor’s report is crucial for understanding the property’s condition, a builder provides a different kind of value, especially during a second viewing.
Their expertise can help you:
- Evaluate renovation potential: A builder can give you a practical assessment of what’s possible in terms of extensions, loft conversions, or internal layout changes. They can identify load-bearing walls, assess plumbing and electrical systems, and offer a realistic view of the property’s potential for your desired changes.
- Estimate renovation costs: A builder can provide a ballpark figure for any work you’re considering. This is invaluable for budgeting and can help you decide if the property is financially viable for you, including both the purchase and the planned works.
- Provide a practical perspective on defects: While a surveyor might flag a defect, a builder can give you more information on what that issue means in a practical sense and what it would take to fix it. For example, they can give you a more concrete idea of the cost and timeline for rectifying a damp problem or replacing a roof.
- Uncover subtle issues: A builder’s experience can help them notice small signs of problems that even a surveyor might overlook during a typical viewing. They often have a keen eye for the practical signs of wear and tear, and may be more willing to give you a “down and dirty” opinion without the formal constraints of a survey report.
Summary
The Combined Benefit
Using both a surveyor and a builder is a powerful strategy. The surveyor gives you a formal, reliable, and insured assessment of the property’s current state, which you can use for your legal and financial due diligence. The builder gives you a more practical, forward-looking view of the property’s potential and the true cost of making it your dream home.
This two-pronged approach helps you avoid costly surprises, make a fully informed offer, and have a clear plan and budget for any work you want to undertake after the purchase is complete. It’s a proactive way to ensure your most significant financial decision is a sound one.
