How a Structural Survey can save you money in the long run
A Structural Survey (also known as a Home Survey Level 3) does exactly what it sounds like.
A chartered surveyor (a RICS member or associate) inspects a property in great detail, checking it for common problems and, in particular, anything that might impact its structural integrity.
As the most in-depth residential survey offered by chartered surveyors, a Structural Survey isn’t cheap. Depending on various factors, they typically come between £500 and £800.
How is this cost justifiable? The answer is easily, and we’ll use this blog post to explain it.
What’s the point of a RICS Structural Survey?
As we mentioned in the introductory paragraph, a RICS Structural Survey examines a home, looking for any evidence of structural problems.
Some of the more common things we see involve the following:
- Subsidence– when the ground underneath the home sinks.
- Deteriorated wooden beams – wood could lose its strength and become brittle or spongey through fungi like rots or pests such as woodworm.
- Removed structural walls – unauthorised renovations or additions to the property may have resulted in structural walls being removed.
- Rooms that don’t appear on the plans – it sounds like a bonus, but an unregulated construction could pose a significant structural risk.
- Japanese Knotweed – you’d need a significant problem for Japanese Knotweed to cause home subsidence. Still, it can easily undermine the foundations of your driveway, patio, shed, or summerhouse.
- Roof problems – the roof is often neglected during viewings. However, structural issues with the trusses cause leaks and allow pests in, leading to problematic situations.
Note that a Structural Survey includes everything you get in a Homebuyer Survey (Home Survey Level 2). They still involve the surveyor checking for common problems and, if applicable, completing a Valuation.
The importance of using a Structural Survey to catch issues early
The earlier you detect any problem, the better. Of course, we’re talking about home surveys here, but this principle applies to just about anything.
A house isn’t something where significant problems can be ignored. As we (and almost everyone) often mention, it’s the biggest investment of your life (for most people).
For example, let’s say you notice a cobweb-like structure jumping between wooden boards in your porch. It’s too cotton wool-esque to be a spider’s web, which means it’s probably evidence of dry rot.
The porch might not be the most important room in the house to you. Fair enough. But that doesn’t mean you should leave it.
Dry rot spreads unnervingly quickly, and if it finds its way into your walls, you’ll soon have a severe problem.
That’s just one example. The same applies to almost anything a Structural Survey finds (such as those mentioned above).
How much money can you save with a Structural Survey?
By catching a problem in your home before it develops too far, the costs will be far less. In fact, you’ll almost certainly save more than the price of the survey. Considering the same example above, think about the difference between a few new planks and tearing the front of your home.
Structural Surveys can be instructed by home buyers as well as owners and sellers. Your chartered surveyor can also recommend the best next steps to take and estimate potential repair costs.
This feature is handy while buying or when collecting quotes. Take an unbiased estimate to the seller to submit a lower offer or ask them to repair the issue before the exchange.
Although it’s impossible to give an exact figure for how much you’ll save, it’s likely to be significant – especially if you suspect there’s a problem in the first place.
Instruct a Structural Survey from GB Home Surveys
Structural Surveys are often best for the following properties:
- Historic buildings
- Renovated homes
- Conversions (like barn conversions or mill conversions)
- Heavy-traffic properties (like old shops)
- Cottages
- Seaside buildings
- Subsidence hot-spot areas (such as near old mine shafts or in clay-rich soil)
- Evidence of a lot of poor DIY work
- Generally apparent signs of cracking or damp
Chat with one of our team members now to learn more about Structural Surveys and whether they’re right for you. GB Home Surveys operates in the South-West, West Midlands, and South Wales. Our local chartered surveyors will conduct the survey you need at a competitive price.
Also, feel free to check out our Structural Survey Quote Calculator. It’s free to use, and there’s no need to leave any contact information.
Fill out the form below to reach out for an obligation-free chat. We can’t wait to hear from you.
