The importance of a Structural Survey for home renovations
A home renovation is a massive undertaking, but it’s oh-so-exciting. You aren’t just buying the house of dreams – you’re building it.
We love working with our clients on home renovations, helping provide fundamental steps and risk management through Structural Surveys.
This article will explain what a RICS Structural Survey is and why they’re so crucial to carry out before you start your home renovation project.
What’s involved with a RICS Structural Survey?
A RICS Structural Survey – these days known as a Home Survey Level 3 – involves a chartered surveyor assessing a home. They’re looking for all sorts of common problems and checking crucial things (like whether the mains services work).
The primary focus of a Structural Survey is an unbiased examination of a building’s structural integrity. This makes them more relevant when it comes to home renovations compared to the Homebuyer Survey (Home Survey Level 2).
During the inspection, the chartered surveyor makes detailed notes. They’ll also bring a camera with them to photograph everything they look at.
Once they return to their office, they’ll compile all their findings into a detailed report. These reports are standardised by RICS (see a blank version here – look for the sample Home Survey Level 3), so you know exactly what you’re getting and how to read it.
The report contains observations of problems (or the lack thereof). You’ll also notice a few of the most likely causes of these problems, a risk-severity rating, and suggested paths forward.
Planning renovations? Amazing. Here’s why a Structural Survey is vital
Whether you’re redoing your house or flipping a property, a home renovation is an exciting project. Taking an existing space and transforming it into something that better suits your needs is a brilliant idea.
A Structural Survey is a critical step before you get started. Please don’t let that put you off. A chartered surveyor is probably almost as thrilled with the plans as you are.
But here’s why it’s so important. Structural Surveys involve chartered surveyors taking careful measurements and observations, watching out for any signs of any of the following issues (and many more):
- Subsidence
- Other structural movement or land-slip
- Brickwork or masonry deficiencies
- Unstable supporting walls
- Roof problems
- Structural timber rot or woodworm
- Removed supporting walls (compared to plans)
- Dangerous DIY work from previous owners
Your home renovation most likely involves significant changes to your existing property. Of course, you’re probably working on an older building, too. You’ll perhaps be adding extensions, converting bathrooms, creating smaller or larger rooms, and so on.
The last thing you want is all your hard work to be worth nothing due to a structural shift or collapse.
For example, say your barn conversion project is well underway when suddenly it’s realised that the entire roof’s timber beams are severely decaying due to rot. Everything needs to be put on hold for a few months while that’s remedied. Because you’ve started, there are significantly more costs involved.
The answer? Get the Structural Survey done before you begin your exciting project. This will allow you to plan ahead in much more detail, reduce costs, and take any necessary safety measures.
How do you get a Structural Survey for your home renovation?
Getting a Structural Survey is simple. Get in touch with a local chartered surveyor you trust and explain your situation.
You’ll agree on a date and time for them to pop over and inspect the property. A Structural Survey usually takes three to five hours, depending on factors like the building’s size and condition.
They’ll look over your home renovation project and take notes and photos, as mentioned previously. You’ll then receive the report (as a PDF) within two weeks.
Although this will advise certain courses of action, it’s ultimately up to you how to proceed.
Instruct a Structural Survey from GB Home Surveys
The RICS standard is a maximum of two weeks between the inspection and receiving your Structural Survey report. Here at GB Home Surveys, we always strive to get it to you in half that time. It’s delivered as a PDF to save time, money and paper (although you’re welcome to print it if you like).
Once you’ve received your report, you’re welcome to chat with our chartered surveyor as much as you need. This ensures you have a complete understanding of what the document is saying.
GB Home Surveys is based in local branches and teams in England’s South-West and West Midlands. Some of our chartered surveyors are also located in South Wales.
Could we help you with a Structural Survey for your home renovation? Feel free to contact us for a friendly, obligation-free chat about what you need and what we can offer. If you aren’t ready for that just yet, check out our Structural Survey Quote Calculator (there’s no need to leave your contact information). We look forward to getting to know you.
