Damp survey vs homebuyer survey: what’s the difference?
You’ll see many different home inspection options as a homeowner or buyer. While it might feel overwhelming, each survey is designed for a specific type of customer and property. This article addresses damp surveys vs homebuyer surveys. What’s the difference? And how do you know which one you need?
Read on to learn more.
What is a damp survey?
As its name suggests, a damp survey checks for damp in your home. This information can then be used to remedy the root causes.
A house is two things to its owner: a comfortable place to live and an investment. If the markets continue to behave (in a general sense), the building and the land it’s on should increase in value over the coming years.
Damp surveys are typically carried out for homeowners (as opposed to homebuyers, see below). By finding and eliminating the damp sources, value is maintained (or increases), and the house is a more pleasant, healthier space.
A chartered surveyor inspects the property, using a moisture meter to read humidity levels. They’ll look for moisture patches and narrow down any leaks. Ventilation checks are also vital when it comes to damp. They also use a thermal imaging camera to find a cold spots and identify where cold bridging and insulation issue are occurring. This is where were condensation is more likely to form.
After the damp survey is finished, the chartered surveyor will send you an in-depth standardised report. Take what you find out to contractors to solve the problems.
What is a homebuyer survey?
A homebuyer survey is the old name for a RICS Home Survey Level 2. (The titles were helpfully updated a couple of years ago to make them more transparent for customers.)
Although there are other RICS Home Survey levels (GB Home Surveys also offers valuations and Level 3 inspections), the Level 2 is by far the most common. As such, some might be referring to a generic home survey for buyers when they say homebuyer survey.
Generally, a homebuyer survey is for someone (or a couple) looking to buy a house. It’s a general inspection of the property, including checks for damp but also other common problems and the overall condition.
A home survey is considered part of due diligence when purchasing a house. Once the inspection is complete, you’ll receive a detailed report, including an assessment.
Do I need a damp survey or a homebuyer survey?
These two surveys have entirely different focuses.
- Damp survey – you need a damp survey if you already own your home and want to investigate and remove sources of excess moisture and humidity. This will help drive the value up and means your house is healthier to live in.
- Homebuyer survey – request a Home Survey Level 2 (or Valuation or Level 3, as appropriate) when buying a new house. These generic inspections mean you’ll know what common problems might be hidden within and mitigate the considerable investment risks of purchasing a property.
Of course, a damp survey could also be conducted on behalf of a buyer. This isn’t usually too relevant, but it’s available at a person’s request!
Likewise, a homeowner could request a homebuyer survey. For example, sellers sometimes might want peace of mind that their home doesn’t have any hidden issues before they put it on the market. They may also – although this doesn’t happen often – allow potential buyers to see their inspection report when trying to push a sale through quickly. However, it’s important to remember that home surveys are not transferable, so even if you have one as a seller, the buyer will still need their own.
Get in touch with GB Home Surveys
GB Home Surveys is an independent team of RICS chartered surveyors. We’re spread throughout the South-West, West Midlands and South Wales, in regions including Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, the Cotswolds, Birmingham, Devon, Bristol and Bath, Taunton and North Somerset, and South Wales.
Do you need a professional eye to look over your property and check for leaking pipes or poor ventilation? Perhaps you’re buying a new home and want to ensure it’s worth every penny, with no hidden issues lurking around the corner?
Whatever situation you find yourself in, we can help. Each of our chartered surveyors operates as part of a local team, meaning they know the area and market better than any large corporation, and offer more reliable results. We also offer a Price Guarantee – if you find an equivalent RICS survey for less elsewhere, we’ll do all we can to match it.
We can be reached through the contact form below. We look forward to hearing from you.
