If you’re purchasing a house, you will most likely want the peace of mind that it is a sound purchase and investment free from defect and issue.
A Full Building Survey & Report is a level 3 inspection and ensures that you’re fully aware pre-purchase of all of the defects and issues that exist within the property.
The report ensures that an RICS Qualified Surveyor inspects all facets of the property and then compiles his findings in a comprehensive and thorough report.
Full Building Surveys are the most thorough and comprehensive reports that you can have completed pre purchase.
What Does a Surveyor do during a Full Building Survey Inspection?
The Surveyor’s role will be to comprehensively inspect all parts of the property both externally and internally, leaving no part of the property uninspected.
The Surveyor’s aim will be to identify each and every defect that exists at the property. They will then go on to comment and determine the cause of the defect, thereby presenting the client with objective advice on how to rectify the issue and its severity.
The outcome of the Surveyor’s inspection will be a comprehensive report setting out all of his or her observations and ultimately fully informing the client and property purchaser in advance of the property sale.
Stokemont’s top 5 Common Property Defects Noted over the Years
Damp
Damp is by far one of the most common defect our Surveyor’s locate on a daily basis. This defect can cause severe issue if it isn’t addressed. With costs of repair, nuisance and decorative remedy required, this isn’t a defect to miss!
Subsidence
Property Subsidence causes can be far and wide and related to a vast array of causes. With decorative making good and repair costs being substantial, ensuring the property is clear of this defect is imperative.
Pests
Ranging from woodworm, wood boring beetles, wasps and even birds! Pests can take many different forms. Woodworm and Beetles can quickly work their way through the wooden fabric of the property, causing irreparable damage and costly replacement. Â
Roofs
Defective roofs can be as simple as changing the covering, however can also be more sinister requiring structural support and even replacement. Roofs tend to be one of the most frequently ignored parts of the property. Ensuing you’re abreast of any issues pre purchase is imperative.
Façade Issues
With common issues such as spalling brickwork, damp ingress, bridged damp proof course, or blown render. Repairs can be costly and easy for an untrained eye to miss. Ensuring your clear of these defects is a must for any homebuyer.
The Full Building Survey
Condition Rating System
Whatever the condition rating is, here at Stokemont you will be sure to get reasoned and practical advice to best address and overcome the issue.
Condition Rating 1: Green
This means that there is no repair currently needed – It’s the best outcome!
Condition Rating 2: Amber
This means that the item being inspected has a defect that requires repairing or replacing. However, it is worth noting that the defect is not considered to be serious or urgent. – This is a medium rating confirming that the item may need attention at some point in the near future.
Condition Rating 3: Red
This means there are defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently – This is the worst rating possible and will mean urgent attention and likely cost is required.
Stokemont’s Cost Ratings
To help you gain an informed understanding of cost in respect of each defect and issue our Surveyor’s locate. We include a cost rating chart setting out likely cost in an easy to follow: Low, Mid & High rating system.
We’ve classified these ratings as follows:
Low Cost
These are costs towards the lower end of the spectrum. We’d classify these as less than £1,000.00.
Mid Cost
These are costs towards the mid end of the spectrum. We’d classify these as £1,000.00 – £5,000.00.
High Cost
These are costs towards the upper end of the spectrum. We’d classify these as more than £5,000.00.
Full Building Surveys Costs
Here at Stokemont, we believe that Full Building Survey costs should be transparent and clear. As a guide our prices are as below, in order to obtain a fixed cost, please get in touch with our Surveying team who will be happy to advise.
Full Building Surveys for Houses (Level 3 Survey)
| Up to £500,000: | £900 + VAT |
| £500,000-£750,000: | £950 + VAT |
| £750,000-£1,000,000: | £1000 + VAT |
| £1,000,000-£2,000,000: | £1050 + VAT |
| £2,000,000 or more: | £1150 + VAT |
Want to see an example of one of our Full Building Surveys?
Full Building Surveys will vary depending on the condition of the property and the defects that exist. We’ve included a typical example which you can see below.
Click on the icon to see an example Full Building Survey.
Typical Full Building Survey Questions & Video FAQ
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Will the Surveyor inspect both inside and outside of the property?
Yes, the Surveyor’s role will be to determine all issues and defects associated with the property.
This will mean that they need to access and inspect both the internal and external parts of it.
What should I do if the Report identifies defect?
We would advise in speaking with the Surveyor who prepared the Full Building Survey and Report to discuss his or recommendations.
If the defects are low risk and easy to rectify. At this stage, we would advise going back to the seller alerting them to the Surveyor’s findings, and ultimately renegotiating the agreed sale price to take account the repairs needed.
If the defects are of a major concern, it may be appropriate to reconsider proceeding with the sale.
Why do I need a Full Building Survey?
The Full Building Survey and Report will see a qualified and experienced RICS Surveyor visit the property in advance of the exchange and completion taking place.
It’s the most thorough survey you can have undertaken and ensures that you are fully informed on all the defects to the property, enabling you to make a fully informed decision as a purchaser, avoiding any nasty and costly defect surprise once you are the legal owner.
Will the Surveyor be Qualified?
Yes, the Surveyor undertaking the inspection and preparing the report must be a professional RICS member.
All our Surveyors are not only RICS members, but are also members of other leading governing bodies including the CIOB, CABE and CIArb.
Can I Be Present During the Surveyor’s Inspection?
If you want to be present during the survey we would advise that you either meet the surveyor before he starts the inspection outside the property or alternatively meet him upon completion of the inspection.
During the survey itself the surveyor is going to want to apply his full attention to the issues and defects that are being located and ensure that he can complete that without any distraction.
Whenever we complete a report we always welcome our clients to have a full discussion with us upon its receipt as we find that that best aids understanding of the issues and gives them the full facts to then go back to the seller to inform them of their surveyor’s findings.
Will The Surveyor Check for Damp?
Yes, part of the surveyor’s arsenal of tools will include a damp meter, damp meter checks will be taken throughout the property, usually at high, mid and low levels of the walls that will ensure that the surveyor is able to fully assess if there is any form of damp issue that exists within the property itself.
In the event that damp is located which is altogether quite common the surveyor will put forward their professional opinion as to what is causing that damp along with the necessary rectification requirements and likely costs in that regard.
Pre Purchase Surveys - Why Should I Select Stokemont?
While all Pre purchase Reports are going to follow the same structure, here at Stokemont we have gone a step further and included our industry first costs rating system.
This costs rating system assesses the defect located in a low, mid and high category.
The aim here being that you are fully informed of what the realistic remedy costs are going to be to make good the defect the surveyor locates.
As a firm we are building surveyors at our core and fully understand the defects and issues that can exist to all different types of properties whether that is a house, maisonette or flat. This experience ensures that you are in safe hands when it comes to purchase surveying requirements.
How long does it take to get my Full Building Survey Report?
Here at Stokemont we can generally get inspections booked into the diary within 2-3 days of instruction.
Once we have inspected, we then aim to have the report with you within 2-3 days.
Overall it is about a one week turnaround.
We fully understand that the purchaser is going to want to know the full facts as soon as possible and therefore we have got a tried and tested procedure in place to enable prompt turnaround.
What Are Common Defects?
When it comes to inspecting properties there are never any two that are alike however that being said there are typical defects that our surveyors regularly find.
These tend to be issues such as damp, pest infestation, subsidence or defects that result in disrepair.
Whenever an issue is located the surveyor is always going to fully explain where it is, what is causing it and importantly what needs to be done to rectify it along with the likely costs for rectification.
The aim here being that you are fully informed of exactly what you are purchasing into and the necessary action you will need to take should you become the new property owner.
Can The Surveyor Discuss His Findings with the Selling Agent or Seller?
Yes, we are very happy to discuss our findings with either the seller or the agent directly.
Prior to doing this we would advise that the report is shared with those respective parties to ensure that they are fully abreast of the surveyor’s findings.
If they do indeed have any enquiries in respect of the report’s outcome discussion with the surveyor is always a good way to ensure that all parties are on the same page and fully understand the implications and outcomes of the report and issues found.
What Happens If I Don’t Proceed with the Property Purchase?
Unfortunately there can be scenarios whereby the outcome of the surveyor’s inspection, report and cost implications of the defects located, can put buyers off from purchasing the subject property.
If indeed that happens to be the case, we would gladly offer any discount on any further surveys that we are instructed to undertake on any new properties that you locate and go through the purchase process for.
Here are some Full Building Surveys we’ve done in the past:
Enfield Road, Enfield, EN2
Stokemont’s Building Surveyors were pleased to assist a client on his pre purchase requirements and complete a Full Building Survey for this semi detached house on Enfield Road, Enfield, EN2. The property hadn’t been modernised for a number of years and revealed some typical 1930’s property defects!
 Timeline: 5 days
Caffins Close, Crawley, RH10
The Stokemont Building Surveying team were pleased to assist a client on their pre purchase Full Building Survey for this end of terrace house in Caffins Close, Crawley, RH10. With 5 bedrooms, a large garden and having had a double storey extension built, this was a hands on survey!
 Timeline: 4 days
Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE4
Stokemont’s Building Surveying team were pleased to assist clients on their pre purchase requirements and complete a Full Building Survey for this semi detached house on Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE4. The property had been tenanted for a number of years and had a number of defects from; asbestos, to damp, to structural issue. A welcomed challenge for the team!
 Timeline: 4 days
See us in Action! These are some Full Building Surveys we have been involved in:
Team Qualifications
Our team of Surveyors are not only highly experienced but importantly they are also qualified.
 We’re proud to confirm our Surveyors hold membership status and accreditation to some of the world’s leading professional governing bodies including; the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), the Pyramus and Thisbe Club (P&T) and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).
Surveyor Testimonials
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