How a pre-purchase survey can save you money

You’re about to make the biggest purchase of your life – buying a property. You’ve done the sums and they’re pretty tight. It’ll probably be a while before you can make those much-needed renovations, and another holiday to the Mediterranean is certainly off the table for a while.

But on the plus side, your potential new home is pretty modern, appears to be well maintained, and seems to be structurally sound. It was only built in the late 70s, so a pre-purchase survey seems like an unnecessary expense, right? Wrong. And here’s why.

Why you shouldn’t skip a pre-purchase survey

Falling for a property on first viewing is not unusual. But love-struck eyes often get in the way of logic and making the right decision. What might seem like a perfect home on the surface, could be a money pit of endless repairs and renovations. Here are the usual suspects that haunt first-time buyers long after the love wears off.

Structural problems

These can arise from heave or subsidence in clay soils, collapse of mine shafts or natural caverns, underground water courses or proximity to large tree roots. They often manifest themselves in cracks in brickwork, easily concealed with pretty plants, hedges and climbers that leave you none the wiser.

Damp and mould

Problems with damp and mould often go unnoticed without the use of a damp meter. A high damp reading may simply be due to poor ventilation (which is usually cheap to fix). But in more severe cases, it could indicate a failed, or non-existent damp course. If this is the case, you can expect to pay thousands to have it remedied.

Roof

It’s unlikely you had access to the loft to check for timber rot or evidence of leaks during your viewing. And your external examination of the roof, even with binoculars, will not match a drone’s comprehensive view. When you consider the costs of a survey against the potential expense of roof repairs, instructing a surveyor becomes somewhat of a no-brainer.

Insulation

Given the high cost of energy and the adverse environmental impact of excessive fuel usage, you need to know that insulation is up to modern standards in both loft and windows. As part of a pre-purchase report, your surveyor will inspect all aspects of insulation readily accessible and comment on their condition.

Utilities

Plumbing and electrical issues are common with dated properties, especially if they haven’t been well maintained or upgraded for a significant amount of time. Until you start living in a property, these issues are often hidden and will only become apparent once the sale has been completed. A pre-purchase survey helps you remove the guesswork, inspecting electrical and plumbing components you may have missed during a viewing.

Should you book a pre-purchase survey?

A pre-purchase survey gives a detailed picture of the property you are looking to buy. As well as potentially saving you thousands in hidden repair costs, it also offers some welcomed peace of mind in a time that is naturally quite stressful.

Get an estimated cost for your survey in seconds. Or if you’d prefer to speak to our surveyors, call 01273 031646.