Terms and Conditions

Purpose and Scope of Survey Report
General Survey Conditions

Purpose and Scope of Survey Report

Purpose and Scope of Report

A valuation will not be provided unless specifically requested at the time of inspection.
The surveyor will lift loose floorboards and trapdoors where accessible but will not normally attempt to raise fixed floorboards, which are often covered with hardboard or fixed floor coverings. Inspection will, therefore, exclude both the roof space if there is no readily accessible hatch, joists and wall plate details where covered by loft insulation and outer surfaces of the roof if they cannot readily be seen. Similarly, inaccessible flat roofs over 3m above ground level, will not be inspected.
The Client should make prior arrangements at his expense if necessary with the owner of the property for lifting carpets or moving heavy furniture which is likely to prevent the surveyor's inspection.

Subject to the foregoing the surveyor will open all unfixed hatches to roof and accessible floor voids and the examination shall be as follows:-

(i)	externally, all roof areas will be inspected as closely as practicable from ground level. The surveyor cannot comment on the construction of concealed flat roof timbers. The interior of accessible roof voids will be inspected in detail and inaccessible connecting voids will be inspected to the extent practicable. Loft insulation will not be removed with the exception of turning back small areas to identify the construction below;
(ii)	the surface of all floors not covered with fixed coverings will be inspected as far as practicable and loose boards lifted where possible to enable the construction to be identified and its condition checked in that particular area. Where there are fixed coverings these will not normally be lifted but the surveyor will lift loose areas sufficiently to identify the nature of the finish beneath. The surface areas of solid floor construction will be inspected as for timber floors;
(iii)	the exposed elements of all walls, brickwork and stonework will be inspected externally and internally where not obscured by rendered finishes, heavy furniture or fixed linings. Brickwork or stonework within accessible construction voids will be inspected as far as practicable. Flues and wall cavities will not be inspected internally. Foundations will not be exposed. In cases where structural defects indicate problems below ground, the surveyor will recommend further specialist investigation be made. The effectiveness of damp-proof courses, sills, copings and similar components will be considered and random areas of walls and joinery will be tested with a moisture meter.
(iv)	exposed joinery and finishings will be inspected visually. External joinery such as sills, horizontal boarding and low level timbers where readily accessible will receive special attention.
(v)	sanitary fittings, internal and external plumbing, wastes, central heating, space heating appliances and domestic wiring will be visually inspected where accessible. No service installations will be tested but comment will be made on visual defects. Gas appliances and flues should be approved by the local Gas Board. Where services are not on at the time of inspection this will further limit comment;
(vi)	manhole covers will be lifted where possible within the curtilage of the property only in order to observe the flow through the system. The means of disposal of foul and surface water will be identified, where possible, to enable the surveyor to decide whether to recommend further exploration or tests. (Note - it is impossible for the surveyor to give a clear indication of the efficiency of the domestic services purely from a visual inspection and thus a physical test must always be recommended);
(vii)	outbuildings, fencing, paving and driveways will not be inspected in such detail as the main dwelling house. Comments will be restricted to substantial defects and major items of disrepair. No detailed comments will be made on any outbuildings other than garaging and domestic stores. Leisure facilities i.e. swimming pools, saunas etc are also excluded;
(viii)	where accessible the general external condition and use of immediately adjoining property will be observed in order to identify any special factors which may adversely affect the subject property;
(ix)	where repair costs are given they are for guidance purposes only and should not be construed as a quotation nor estimate and should be substantiated prior to purchase by proper competitive quotations or estimates.

General Survey Conditions

General Conditions Relating to Residential Building Surveys

The purpose for which the survey is required shall be as agreed between the client and the surveyor. The surveyor will advise the client as to his opinion of the state of repair and condition of the property specified by the client in accordance with the scope, assumptions and conditions of engagement relating to the report commissioned by the client.

In making the report the following assumptions will be made:-

a.	that no potentially deleterious material was used in the construction of the property or has since been incorporated;
b.	that the property is not subject to any unusual or especially onerous restrictions, encumbrances or outgoings and that good title can be shown;
c.	that the property and its value are unaffected by any matters which would be revealed by a Local Search and Replies to the Usual Enquiries, or by any Statutory Notice, and that neither the property, nor its condition, nor its use, nor its intended use, is or will be unlawful or contrary to Planning or Building Regulations;
d.	that inspection of those parts which have not been inspected would neither reveal material defects nor cause the surveyor to alter his opinion materially; and
e.	unless prior specific requests are made the surveyor shall be under no duty to verify these assumptions.

The report will be provided for the stated purpose and for the sole use of the named Client. It will be confidential to the Client and his professional advisers. The surveyor accepts responsibility to the Client alone that the report will be prepared with the skill, care and diligence reasonably to be expected of a Chartered Surveyor but accepts no responsibility whatsoever to any person other than the Client himself. Any such person relies upon the report at his own risk. Neither the whole nor any part of the report or any reference to it may be included in any published document, circular or statement nor published in any way without the prior written approval having been obtained from the surveyor as to the form and context in which it may appear.

It is not practical to inspect those parts of the structure which are covered, unexposed or inaccessible. However, within these constraints it is our policy to give as clear a picture as possible on the overall condition of the property. Unless prior arrangements have been made for opening up and the removal of furniture, fitted floor coverings etc, the exceptions may include :-

a.	foundations and structures below ground level where there is no access;
b.	unexposed wall areas and inaccessible voids including cavities;
c.	inaccessible sub-floors, joists and covered floor surfaces;
d.	areas covered by roof insulation or similar materials;
e.	detailed conditions of leisure buildings, swimming pools, ponds, water courses and specialist apparatus;
f.	in the case of commercial premises, those areas concealed by shelving and/or stock;
g.	no investigation will be carried out to determine whether or not high alumina cement concrete or calcium chloride additive or any other deleterious material has been used in the construction of the property;
h.	an opinion as to the condition of parts of the property not inspected should not be construed as making an implied representation nor statement about such parts;
i.	where the property being inspected is a flat or part of a larger building the inspection will be restricted to that flat or part. Other parts of the building will only be inspected at the surveyor's discretion or where they may involve the subject property in substantial maintenance costs;
j.	the report should be construed as a document relating to the overall condition of the property in relation to the quality of its structure and not an Inventory of every single defect which might insignificantly affect the ultimate value.

The paragraphs in the section Purpose and Scope of Report further detail the extent and limitations of the inspection.
The Client will pay the surveyor on demand the agreed fee for the report, any expressly agreed disbursements and any Value Added Tax on the fee and expenses.
Prior to the Client's receipt of the written report any verbal information given by the surveyor shall not be construed asa representation nor warranty and should not be acted upon.

Opening Hours

Purpose and Scope of Survey Report

Purpose and Scope of Report