The question – Why do I need a survey?

Buying a house is usually the largest financial commitment that any of us will ever undertake, yet most will do this without fully understanding the potential risks involved.

When choosing a home most buyers focus on aspects such as size, room layout, extension potential, quality of fittings, services and suitability of area (proximity of schools, shops, transport links etc). What they do not do is spend any time looking for defects and items of disrepair which could have a significant impact on the decision to purchase, and of course the agreed purchase price!

Without some form of defect inspection and survey report it is impossible to know the condition of the house that you are considering buying. It is therefore also impossible to come to a fully informed, correct buying decision.

Although your initial offer may have been accepted by the vendor, this has happened prior to reviewing a survey report and the offer should therefore be made subject to any findings highlighted in this report. It is too late once you have moved in to discover that there are defects that should have been reflected in your buying decision and indeed the price you paid for the property!