19th June 2017
Roger Hannah
Are you in need of a property survey or an independent assessment of the value of your property? If so then you need a chartered surveyor. Simply put, a chartered surveyor is someone who reviews the value and physical condition of an asset such as a house, proposed development or an underway construction. They are there to provide you with an expert opinion about topics such as obtaining planning permission, housing renovations or environmental matters that could affect your asset.
Each chartered surveyor should belong to a professional body called The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Whenever you’re in need of a surveyor it is important to note that there can be different types of chartered surveyors, so it’s always best to check which one you’ll need first. We’ve put together the following to break down the service and the profession itself.
When Do I Need a Chartered Surveyor?
You’ll need a chartered surveyor if you are seeking assistance for a valuation on an up-and-coming or present renovation project. A surveyor can provide valuations on land, machinery and buildings and typically they will specialise in one of these specific areas.
Surveyors can also offer expert opinion to companies or individuals in the initial design or build phase of a construction project – giving assistance on how best to maximise the land available and also liaising with local authorities over planning matters. In addition, chartered surveyors will assess conditions of existing building or construction sites, creating reports outlining problems or cost saving solutions.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Chartered Surveyor?
Like any professional service, you seek their help as they are appropriately positioned to offer expert opinion on an important and expensive investment. They will be best advised to give you accurate valuations based on the condition of the property, using their experience to work with local authorities to give you the best possible outcome. They can also help obtain information that you may not be able to, utilising their expertise to find out details that may affect your property. Overall, they can provide you with specialist advice that is tailor-made to your case, which is highly important when it comes to saving or making you money on a property.
What Happens When I Pick One?
Once you’ve picked your surveyor, you’ll need to choose what type of survey you want and agree on the price for that survey. There are a number of surveys which you can opt for, such as:
- A building survey.
- A homeowners’ survey – required to get a mortgage on a property
For this surveyor’s value the property and make sure it appears sound after their inspection. If for example the windows or other minor decorative features are in poor condition, they may hold back some of the mortgage until repairs/redecoration have been undertaken.
- A full structural survey – a full test on everything about the house including value, grounds and structural condition.
Following your survey, you will receive an extensive report, which should include pictures of the points made. It will also detail the history of the property, rights of way, structural integrity, materials used in building, drainage, electrics, roof (condition) dry rot, woodworm wet rot, dampness, and value of rates. It is possible to ask your surveyor to only report on certain aspects.
Where Can I Find a Chartered Surveyor?
You can find chartered surveyors through traditional methods as well as simple internet searches. The RICS website has a search function that allows you to search for accredited surveyors in your area. However, if it’s a chartered surveyor in Manchester that you’re looking for, here at Roger Hannah & Co, we have a vast amount of experienced and RICS approved surveyors for you to choose from depending on your needs.