We provide RICS reports for every type of building!
What is a HomeBuyer Report?
A RICS HomeBuyer report is a level 2 survey and is the next step up from a Home Condition Survey. The report includes everything from a Condition report; the property condition, any risks or urgent defects and any apparent potential legal concerns. In addition, the HomeBuyer reports includes advice on any hidden defects that can result in the property needing ongoing maintenance or future repairs, internally and externally. This can include damp or any structural problems.
Home Buyer reports come with the option to include a property valuation, as well as an insurance rebuild cost estimate.
Who is a HomeBuyer Report suitable for?
If you are buying, selling or living in a conventional house, flat or bungalow that is of reasonable condition, this is suitable for you. The advantage of a HomeBuyer report over a Condition report is the option to include a valuation and the advice on repairs and maintenance highlighted by any defects found.
What does the survey involve?
Homebuyer Reports are more complex that Condition Reports and take around 1.5 - 2.5 hours to survey on site for an average sized recently built dwelling. Properties that are much older or more complex, with extensions or loft conversions may take longer. In many cases a Building Survey is more appropriate for this type of property. The surveyor carrying out the Homebuyer report survey must be a member of RICS, which shows they have the competencies required to accurately complete the report.
The Homebuyer survey process is very similar to the Condition Report process. During a Homebuyer Report survey the surveyor will also take measurements and photographs of the building. The survey is slightly more intrusive, though the surveyor still won’t take up carpets or floor boards, move furniture or take things out of cupboards, for example. In addition, the surveyor may enter the roof space itself. The surveyor may use equipment such as a torch, damp-meter or ladders if they feel suitable.
Much like the Condition Report survey, once the surveyor has inspected inside and outside of the property, they will then inspect the services to the property where accessible, including an inspection of the heating, plumbing, drainage as well as chimneys. Externally, the surveyor will survey the boundaries of the property, including walls, fences, common areas and permanent outbuildings.
Once the surveyor has completed the site visit the survey notes will be written up into the Homebuyer Report.
What do I get?
After the site visit it takes about 10 working days to produce your RICS Homebuyer Report. Once complete, this will be emailed out to you. The report will outline the condition of a range of different building sections, garages and outbuildings as well as advice on managing any defects. This is presented using a condition rating for various elements of the property. Condition rating 3 highlights serious defects that need urgent attention. Condition rating 2 highlights defects that need addressing but are not considered serious or urgent. Condition rating 1 notes that no repair is currently required. Condition 2 and 1 will come with the caveat that the property must be maintained in the normal way.
If a valuation is requested with the HomeBuyer report, the surveyor will include an estimate of the market value of the property. The surveyor will make some assumptions about the property’s materials, construction, services, fixtures and fittings to reach the valuation. It will also taken into account some legal matters such as the condition, current and intended use of the property, and covenants and easements that may be in place. Lastly, the surveyor will include a reinstatement cost which describes the cost of rebuilding the type and style of property inspected. The reinstatement cost will take into account it’s existing standard, but rebuilding with modern materials, techniques and to current building regulation standards.
The reinstatement cost is a good indicator of how much building insurance would be required for the property. The valuation estimate can be used to negotiate a lower asking price, if you are a potential buyer. If you choose a HomeBuyer report with no valuation, the reports advice about ongoing maintenance and repairs can also be used to negotiate a lower asking price.
Who will carry out the survey?
Easy EPC have a highly skilled team of RICS surveyors with years of experience, covering all of the UK. All our surveyors are fully accredited with RICS and hold the necessary insurance. We have the ability to carry out surveys on any type of dwelling, from a one bed new build to a 1960s semi detached with extension.
How do I book?
To get a quote for a RICS HomeBuyer Report for your property simply give us a call on 0800 170 1201, or alternatively fill in our contact form. The basic information we need to be able to provide you with a price for the survey is:
- Full address and postcode
- Age of build
- Type of property - detached, terrace, etc.
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of floors
It is useful and may enable us to offer a cheaper quote if you are also able to provide the following information:
- To scale architectural floor plans
- Property information pack
Once we have provided you with a quote, if you wish to go ahead and book we will also need invoicing details and contact details for whoever will be meeting us on site. We will require the payment in full before the appointment is confirmed. Once the payment has been processed, the appointment will be confirmed and the survey will take place. Our pricing includes everything, so the price we quote you is the total price you will pay.
Once we have visited site it takes us about 5-6 working days to produce the report, at which point we will contact you to let you know its ready and email it out to you.
Our prices start from £299.95 + VAT, dependant on size and location of the property. Use this online booking tool to quickly get a quote for your HomeBuyer Report.
