Surveys & Valuations

Most people spend less than 30 minutes viewing a property before deciding to make one of life’s most expensive purchases! When you’re making such a large investment, a survey is essential to check there are no costly problems in store.

Brian Holt Surveyors offer a professional survey and valuation service for both residential and smaller commercial properties. Most surveys are carried out by Glyn Jones MRICS IRRV, a Chartered Surveyor with more than 25 year’s experience in the residential and commercial property sectors.

Once you have instructed Brian Holt, your survey will normally be carried out within three working days and a written report will also be sent out within three days. Whichever type of survey you choose, our vast experience and expertise in this field means you can rest assured that you’ll receive a fast, efficient, thorough, and professional service giving very good value for money. For a firm quotation email survey@brianholt.co.uk

We are able to provide surveys and valuations for most purposes as follows:-

Residential Properties

Full Building Survey (or Full Structural Survey)

This is our most comprehensive survey, which involves a detailed examination of all accessible parts of the property. Inspections can take anything from three hours to one day to complete, depending on the size of the home.

Our surveyor will examine the roof space, sub floor voids and cellars. Walls are tested for dampness and all accessible floors are examined for evidence of rot and beetle infestation. He will also be looking out for evidence of structural movement, including subsidence and settlement.

When your survey inspection is completed, you’ll receive a detailed report, written in plain English, complete with colour photographs showing any identifiable defects. The report contains an easy to understand summary and a list of any faults discovered together with the approximate cost of remedial work.
 
Fees for this service start at £400 + VAT and are based upon the type, size and age of the property. Please e-mail or telephone if you require a firm quotation.

THE RICS/ISVA Homebuyer Survey and Valuation 

This type of survey and valuation is a more economical option than a full building survey and is an ideal choice for people thinking of buying modern properties. It follows procedures established by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and is based on a detailed visual examination of the property. Please note that we do not recommend this service for houses built before 1900, or for properties requiring renovation. 

The Homebuyer Survey provides you with more detail than a mortgage valuation but less than a Full Building Survey. It has been designed to help purchasers: 

• Make a reasonable judgement on whether or not to proceed with their purchase
• Assess whether or not the property is a reasonable buy at the agreed price
• Be clear what decisions and actions should be taken before contracts are exchanged.

Once the survey and valuation have been completed, a report is sent to the client outlining the general condition of the property. The report highlights anything that affects the property’s present day value or may affect its future resale.

Urgent or significant matters are highlighted for action but non-urgent defects or those which are not significant are not included. 

Fees for this service start from £300 including VAT

Mortgage Valuations 

Mortgage valuations are organised by the mortgage lender and paid for by the purchaser. They are intended to advise the lender whether or not the property is in a suitable condition for a mortgage and whether it is reasonably priced. A valuation is a very brief inspection and which does not tell the buyer anything about the condition of the property.

Pre-Sale Surveys

Pre-Sale survey reports are usually requested by the person selling the house prior to the property being put on the market. These reports are reliable and can be used by potential purchasers to assess the condition of the property. Please contact your nearest Brian Holt office for more information on this type of survey.

Open Market Valuations

Brian Holt holds extensive records of residential property transactions in the Coventry and Warwickshire area dating back to 1972 and has a comprehensive understanding of the local market.

We are able to provide independent professional advice on values for a whole range of purposes including:-

• Valuations for mortgages and loans
• Valuations for probate
• Valuations for taxation
• Valuations for matrimonial purposes
• Valuations for insurance reinstatement value

All of these conform to different assumptions and can vary significantly from current day open market valuations or asking prices.

Defect diagnosis and advice

Our extensive knowledge of building and construction methods means we’re able to provide impartial advice on a range of building problems including:
 

• Cracks and structural movement
• Damp
• Timber defects
• Roof failures

Written confirmation of the exact costs involved in all the above services will be provided before work is carried out. Please email survey@brianholt.co.uk or telephone for further information.

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