Residential Surveys

Residential Surveys

Trafford Surveyors provide comprehensive and professional surveying services such as mortgage valuations, homebuyer's reports and building surveys.

We are keen to provide you with an excellent and flexible service and will endeavour to beat any like for like quote you have received from other organisations.

An overview of each service and sample reports are provided below:

An Open Market Valuation is not a survey. It is a limited check on the property that your mortgage lender carries out to ensure it's worth the money they're lending you and is the minimum requirement for lending purposes. If there are problems with the property, they will not appear in the valuation report which is why a survey is always recommended prior to any property purchase.

Sample report - Open Market Valuation

The Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (HSV), also known as a Homebuyer's Report, is suitable for conventional properties built within the last 50 years and in a reasonable state of repair. The survey concentrates on urgent matters needing attention and is not generally suitable for properties in need of renovation. It also provides you with a valuation which can be used for lending purposes.

Sample report - Homebuyers survey

A Building Survey inspects all accessible areas of the property and will deal with any particular concerns you have about the property. It is a comprehensive inspection which can be adapted to suite your particular needs (agreed between you and your surveyor prior to the inspection). This survey is suitable for all properties including those in a poor condition or in need of renovation and gives a guideline budget for repairs. It does not provide a valuation however this can provided separately if required.

Sample report - Building Survey

The New RICS Home Buyer Report (HBR) – property survey and valuation

This replaces the old style Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (HSV) from April 2010 and provides a crisp, modern style of report which is clear and unambiguous using colour coded condition ratings of the building elements. The report also highlights risks to the property and its occupants and issues for legal advisors as well as providing a valuation which can be used for lending purposes and a figure for insurance reinstatement cost.

The report is suitable for traditionally built properties constructed within the last 130 years and in a reasonable state of repair. The survey concentrates on urgent matters and is not generally suitable on buildings in need of renovation.

If you are still unsure which survey you require, have a look at the following document for further help:

Choosing between surveys

This helpful guide has been provided by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to assist home buyers make an informed decision about the most suitable type of survey for their needs.

Please contact us on 0161 929 8257 if you require further assistance or advice.