Be a savvy buyer and opt for a survey

By the Beresfords Marketing Team - 18th September 2013

Buying a property is one of the biggest investments many of us will ever make, so understanding exactly where our money is going is crucial.  Surveys are one way to help create peace of mind that the property you’re purchasing isn’t going to present any nasty surprises in the near the future.

Surveys are more important than ever as properties increase in age. More than one in five homes across the UK are now over 94 years old, and nearly three quarters have had a major alteration since their original construction. Using a qualified surveyor to check a property before purchase can ensure it is structurally sound, and that material changes have been undertaken appropriately.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors  (RICS) has found that one in five of those who did not survey their property have later found faults. Problems can often create costly remedial work, which could have been uncovered before the property purchase is finalised. At Beresfords, our surveyors regularly find some type of defect in the majority of reports we undertake. Fortunately most are not serious but issues are to be expected due to the age of the properties concerned, but can often be put right for a relatively small cost.

Beresfords has been providing surveying services to local buyers for more than 30 years. There are various types of reports that can be undertaken which, on average, cost between £300 and £750. This is similar to the amount spent every year on insurance to just cover a boiler and other household items such as TVs. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small price to pay to be in the knowledge that the property you’re purchasing is free from any major issues.

All Beresfords inspections are carried out by RICS qualified Surveyors who collectively undertake more than 1,500 inspections a year for private individuals and many high street banks and building societies.