What Does a Surveyor Do? A Property Survey Overview

If you are purchasing a property, you need to get an RICS Building Survey and know that it is essential for Home Buyers. You may be asking the question, “What does a surveyor do?” Let’s find out herein.

Elements in Surveying a House & What a Surveyor Checks

In terms of what does a surveyors check, this involves looking at many elements. These include the building's structure, foundation, roof, walls and insulation, windows, electrical setup, water pipes, and heat control systems. So, what does a surveyor check?

Structural Integrity

Surveyors look out for signs that a house might not be safe. They check if the roof is too heavy, for example, which might make the walls bulge out. This problem comes from what they call "roof spread." It happens when the weight of the roof changes how straight or solid the structure is, pushing walls outward at the top.

Surveyors also notice issues like when part of a chimney has been taken down but the workmanship was inadequate. They once found a loft where wooden supports weren't strong enough to hold up brickwork left behind. They suggest putting in proper supports to fix these problems.

Roof Condition

After checking the foundations, a surveyor moves up to examine the roof condition. This is crucial in keeping the house safe and dry. They look for any damage or signs that show wear. Common issues include leaks or missing tiles that can let water in, leading to more problems inside.

Surveyors have found roofs with poor flashing—like self-adhesive types—which don't last long. They also spot trouble with chimney stacks, like when open flues let too much water in. This causes dampness inside, which isn't good for the house.

Also, make sure you have adequate separation between properties, namely fire break walls between semi-detached or terraced houses. This will limit the spread of fire from one building to another.

Foundations

Looking at the foundation of a house, surveyors check if it's strong and safe. They look for cracks near the ground on both sides of the main building, extension and/or garage. If the walls are cracking, this is usually an indication of subsidence, meaning that the foundations have been compromised and can not carry the weight of the structure without shifting drastically. This is a serious issue which may require underpinning.

Walls and Insulation

Surveyors look closely at walls to find any cracks or moisture. They see if there is water coming in or if a lack of insulation is letting heat out. This step is key for saving money on heating bills and keeping the home comfy.

Walls may not have a damp-proof course or the existing one is breached, meaning that water rises up via capillary action, known as rising damp. For example, the Schrijver system helps keep houses dry but needs checking to avoid too much wet air inside.

Finding these issues and remedying them helps keep houses safe and energy-efficient, which is good for everyone living there and the environment too.

Windows and Doors

Checking windows and doors will detect drafts or any damage. This ensures your house stays warm and safe from burglars. It's part of keeping your energy efficiency (EPC) rating to a good standard.

Good windows and doors keep the heat in during winter and out during summer. If there's damage, it could mean losing heat or letting cold air in. That would make heating more expensive. Fixing these problems early saves money and keeps your home comfortable all year round.

Electrical Systems

Surveyors take a close look at electrics in homes to make sure they're safe and follow building regulations. They inspect the wiring and light fixtures to see if everything is set up correctly.

This will keep people safe from electrical hazards, which can be deadly. The safety of your home depends greatly on the health of its electrics.

Although surveyors do not ordinarily test electrics, they would recommend a certified electrician to check compliance and these specialists use tools like circuit testers and insulation resistance testers. This helps them find any risks or problems that need fixing. By doing these checks, surveyors help homeowners avoid big repair costs in the future and make sure their houses meet building regulations for electricity safety.

Plumbing

A surveyor gives a cursory look over visible pipes and taps to see if there are leaks, which may cause damp. However, you need a certified plumber to carry out a thorough investigation and to ensure no Legionella bacteria is at risk of proliferating either. Surveyors do not carry out plumbing tests, but they will do a brief check on plumbing-related systems.

HVAC Systems

HVAC systems contribute significantly to the overall comfort of homes, comprising central heating, air conditioning, and ventilation. A surveyor briefly evaluates these, ensuring their effectiveness and efficiency. They assess whether the heating appropriately warms or cools the house. 

Surveyors also gauge the energy-efficiency of these systems. Conserving energy translates to financial savings on bills. Should a system be excessively power-consuming, it might necessitate repair or replacement.

This keeps the house comfortable and aids in long-term cost management. The goal is to guarantee winter warmth and summer coolness without unnecessary energy or monetary waste.

Importance of Hiring a Qualified Building Surveyor London

Hiring a qualified surveyor is key for making sure your property stands the test of time. Building surveyors use careful steps to find any housing defects that might not be easy to see at first glance. 

They develop RICS Surveys, as regulated by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), or Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA). 

House surveys ensure your building meets health and safety standards, for which there are different types (see RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report vs RICS Level 3 Building Survey). 

Discovering defects early can save you money in repairs and keep the property market value high. So, a surveyor provides important advice on the condition of the property and/or its value.

Encouraging Proactive Property Maintenance

Taking care of your property early on will limit costs. If you deal with issues like leaks or cracks right away, you won't face bigger troubles that cost more money and time. Contact Us to organise an RICS Level 2 Report or an RICS Level 3 Report prior to exchange.

Conclusion on What do Surveyors do?

What does a chartered surveyor do? Surveyors play a key role appraising and inspecting the condition and market value of properties, generally. They perform Building Surveys, Valuations, Party Wall Awards, Project Management, Dilapidations, and more. With the information provided by their reports, you can make good investment decisions in property.

If you want a detailed breakdown of how a surveyor carries out a Full Building Survey, read What do surveyors do when they carry out a Level 3 Building Survey?

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