Building Surveys
Buying a house is often one of the most expensive and stressful commitments we make. It can therefore be tempting to cut corners or hope for the best. However, many buyers turn to professionals regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to provide a house survey report that not only assesses whether a property is a sound investment but can also assist with purchase negotiations.
You should always ensure that your surveyor is an MRICS or FRICS qualified Building Surveyor, as these are fully Chartered Building Surveyors. AssocRICS surveyors are not Chartered Building Surveyors.
At Grafton Building Consultancy, our MRICS qualified Building Surveyors undertake Level 2 Surveys, Level 3 Surveys and detailed Full Building Surveys for flats, apartments, modern homes and historic listed buildings. With more than 27 years of experience, we provide thorough and practical advice. Where defects such as damp, cracking or structural movement are identified, our building pathology services can investigate the underlying causes and recommend appropriate remedial solutions.
Depending on the type of property you are purchasing, we can advise on the most suitable survey. As a general guide, properties built since 1950 without known structural movement are usually suited to a Level 2 Survey, whilst older properties are often better assessed using a Level 3 Survey or our bespoke Full Building Survey. For clients considering extensions, alterations or refurbishment works following their survey, our architectural services team can provide further guidance and design support.
As an independent firm, our reputation is extremely important to us and we strive to provide high-quality reports at a fair price. Where significant defects or repair works are identified, we can also support clients through our project management services and contract administration services, ensuring that works are properly specified, procured and completed to the required standard.
Communication is paramount to us, and we always contact clients following the survey to discuss our findings. Should you wish to discuss the report in greater detail, we are always happy to explain matters further. Many of our clients find this a useful and refreshing approach.
Building Surveyors in Hertfordshire
Based in Hertford, Grafton provides experienced Building Surveyors in Hertfordshire, supporting homebuyers and property owners throughout the county. Our local knowledge of Hertfordshire’s varied housing stock, from modern developments and period homes to listed buildings and rural properties, enables us to provide tailored survey advice that reflects the specific characteristics and construction methods of each property.
Whether you are purchasing a property in Hertford, Ware, St Albans, Harpenden, Hitchin or elsewhere in Hertfordshire, Grafton’s Chartered Building Surveyors provide thorough and impartial reports to help you understand the condition of the property before committing to the purchase. As independent Building Surveyors in Hertfordshire, we combine technical expertise with clear communication to ensure clients receive practical and reliable advice. We can also undertake reinstatement cost assessments to ensure your property is adequately insured and accurately valued for rebuilding purposes.
Schedule of Condition
A Schedule of Condition is designed to record the condition of a building at a given point in time. It is most commonly used by tenants entering into a lease who require a Schedule of Condition to be appended to the lease at the commencement of the tenancy.
We can produce photographic schedules incorporating written descriptions of building elements, photographic records for comparison purposes and records of any existing damage. These are referenced onto plans to clearly identify the location of each photograph.
We can also prepare a Schedule of Condition to form part of our party wall services, with the schedule recording the condition of adjoining properties before works commence and providing a benchmark for comparison following completion of the works associated with the Party Wall Award. This helps ensure that all parties have a clear and accurate record of the property’s condition prior to construction works beginning.
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Sound property advice is based on years of training, hard work and passion, as well as familiarity with legislation and sound consideration. You’ll find all that and more at Grafton Building Consultancy.
