Surveys and Valuations

Buying a property is often one of the most important financial commitments you will make in your lifetime. Given the significance of such a transaction, it is obviously important that you have complete confidence in the expertise, integrity and commitment of the Chartered Surveyors you instruct to undertake the survey and valuation.

Sheldon Bosley undertakes all types of Surveys and Valuations carried out by experienced Chartered Surveyors, to meet your individual needs. We offer impartial, independent advice and are insured and regulated giving you real piece of mind.

Whether you are buying a property as a home or an investment it is imperative you are absolutely certain in your purchase decision.

You need to be certain you know that:

• The building is sound?
• The agreed price is reasonable?
• Whether there are any drawbacks?
• If so, what do I need to do about them?

Mortgage Valuations

A Valuation is not a Survey.

It is a limited inspection that is required by your mortgage lender to ensure the property is merely worth the money they are lending you.

The Consumers’ Association magazine “Which?” and the Council of Mortgage Lenders both agree that it is not a substitute for an inspection by your own surveyor.

We undertake all types of Surveys and Valuations, carried out by our experienced Chartered Surveyors. We are insured and regulated. We offer impartial,independent advice to give you real piece of mind.

We always strive to make the process of assessing and advising on a property, clear and straightforward. At the start we will discuss your needs and recommend the most suitable type of report. When that decision is made we will remain easy to
contact and will keep you advised on progress. When the survey or valuation is complete, we will take you through it so that you are fully informed and well equipped to make your decision.

Sheldon Bosley can prepare valuations according to your requirements for purposes that include sale, purchase,investment, probate, borrowing, matrimonial disputes, taxation and gifts.

Surveys

If you are buying a property you should have a survey done before you enter into a contract. Sheldon Bosley will be pleased to discuss the options available including building surveys, homebuyer surveys, schedule of condition and disrepair, or simple advice on repair frequently useful to the existing owners. The two main types of survey, a Homebuyer Report(HBR) and a Building Survey are set out in more detail below.

HOMEBUYER REPORT

If the property that interests you is, like most of the homes on the market, traditionally built, straightforward and in apparently reasonable condition this
survey will probably fit the bill. The RICS HomeBuyer Report is presented in a compact, standard format, to help you make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property, what is a reasonable price to pay for the property, the repairs the property needs and the advice that needs to be taken before exchange of contracts.

A HomeBuyer Report is not suitable for properties that are unusually built or run-down, in need of renovation, or if you are planning major alterations, for this you require a Building Survey

BUILDING SURVEY

This type of report is likely to be needed for Listed Buildings, older properties,
those with unusual construction, serious dilapidation, extensive alteration or
enlargement undertaken in the past or where future major conversion or
renovation is planned.

A Building Survey includes a detailed assessment of the condition and construction of the property, details of major and minor defects, implications for future maintenance and recommendations for action in the short and long term. It does not normally include a valuation, but one can be provided, for an additional fee, if required.

Naturally the process of inspection and reporting is considerably more time consuming and a higher scale of fees reflects the additional work. The Building Survey is therefore a detailed more technical report that is tailored to suit your needs.