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SURVEYS

RICS Level 3 Building Survey

The Most Comprehensive Survey We Do!

Buying a home can be expensive, and exciting at the same time. It can also be an incredibly stressful process with lots of things to consider, like whether the property is right for you, if the area meets your needs, and if the house is a good investment. In a fast moving market or one that can be volatile, it is important you maximise the value and the investment of the property but also minimise the risk of buying a house with multiple issues that could be expensive to fix.

That’s where Dunham Hale Surveyors can help you. Our goal is to give you the information you need to feel confident in your purchase. We will tell you in no jargon words and straight up front, an accurate picture of the state of your property and act as your trusted advisor in respect of the condition of the property. With our knowledge and experience, we will share our insight on how to handle any problems, when to avoid poor investments, and when to renegotiate a lower asking price.

We put honesty, reliability, and value at the core of everything we do, and our bespoke client surveying service is no exception. Benefit from our years of experience, our RICS qualified Surveyors’ vast property knowledge and our most comprehensive survey report with a Dunham Hale RICS Level 3 Building Survey.

We offer a choice of either our full advisory Bespoke Client Surveying Service or a standalone Level 3 Building Survey. Please ask us for more details.

So What is an RICS Level 3 Building Survey?

An RICS Level 3 Building Survey, sometimes called a full Structural Survey, is the most in-depth and comprehensive report available and provides a detailed picture of the property’s construction and condition. Unlike a RICS Level 2 Survey (Homebuyer Report or Homebuyer Survey) the amount of detail used within the RICS Level 3 Building Survey is comprehensive.

With an RICS Level 3 Building Survey, an RICS qualified surveyor carries out a thorough inspection of the property, complimented by a detailed report of the inspection. By opting for a RICS Building Survey, you can be sure you’re receiving an impartial assessment of the property and that your surveyor will adhere to professional best practice standards.

Whilst we offer a standalone RICS Building Survey, you can also opt for our add-on service of a detailed walkthrough of the issues using our Bespoke Client Service, which is about more than just the survey report. We provide the one-one care and advice as your personal surveyor and we stay with you until you decide you no longer need us.

What is Covered Within an RICS Level 3 Building Survey?

At Dunham Hale Surveyors, an RICS Level 3 Building Survey, covers an inspection of 20+ different internal and external elements, such as walls, floors, ceiling, external walls, roofs and fenestration (windows) of the property. In addition, this also includes:

  • Inspecting as much as physically and visually accessible, including basements, cellars, lofts, windows, and doors.
  • Advice on insulation, condensation, and dampness
  • Garages, Permanent Outbuildings, Conservatories and Porches.
  • Roof Voids, Pitched Roofs, and Flat Roofs
  • Visible Assessment of Services
  • Leasehold & Freehold advice
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Cost guidance for Repairs

In addition to the standard RICS Level 3 Building Survey, we also offer add-ons for an additional fee, such as;

Drone Surveys, RICS Redbook Valuations, Thermal Imaging Surveys and Reinstatement (Rebuild) Valuations.

An RICS Level 3 Buildings Survey will highlight detailed issues that you need to be aware of. Full advice as to the condition of elements of the property and its structural integrity will also be reported upon including repair costs where identified and further investigations where identified. If the property is basic in nature then an RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report will be more suitable.

Why Should You opt for an RICS Level 3 Building Survey instead of an RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report?

We hear a lot about cost savings when buying a property, especially during a cost of living crisis. One thing we don’t advise, is to save money on your report type. The cost difference of the two reports ranges between £100-£400 depending on the value of the property. Obtaining quality advice costs money, since qualified professionals can take 4-5 years to gain qualification. The time to write the two reports differ and some firms can pack in lots of cheap surveys to make up their fee targets. This means rushing the report, where you don’t get all the facts, or the facts aren’t explained in as much detail.

At Dunham Hale Surveyors, our RICS Level 3 Building Survey reports are detailed and fully explain the property and its condition. An RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report is a basic report and briefly explains the condition of the property. Both have their merits dependent upon the type and age of property.

If the property is over 40 years old, is listed, in a conservation area, if it has been altered, extended, modernised or is of unusual design (steel or concrete for example) then we would always advise you opt for an RICS Level 3 Building Survey. For anything else, an RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report would be acceptable.

In some cases, if you have originally opted for a RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report, and due to the recent Hart v Large legal case, we may subsequently advise you to take out an RICS Level 3 Building Survey to ensure you obtain the correct detail for the type of property you are purchasing.

More details can be found HERE or you can download an example of a Dunham Hale Surveyors sample RICS Level 3 Building Survey Report

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