Welcome to Stilings Chartered Surveyors.
We pride ourselves on local knowledge and individual attention to our clients, and our Independence from big business. We have no hidden masters that might influence our advice. The most important thing is that you know what you are committing yourself to in purchasing a property. If you would like the surveyor to talk through his findings with you, he will. If you don't understand anything, he will explain in simple terms. If, in six months' time, you get round to doing some work recommended in the survey and you find that you don't actually understand what you need to do, phone us. We will remember you, talk to you, visit to explain on-site if necessary.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, or RICS, is the world's leading professional body dedicated to the economics and management of land, property, construction and related environmental issues. This means any advice they given by their Members will be of the highest professional standard. Members are bound by a strict code of conduct that regulates how they deal with you and your money. They must also have professional indemnity insurance.
The difference between these two surveys comes down to the level of detail that's included in the report document that is written on the property. The Building Survey report, which is broadly comparable with the RICS Level 3 Survey (without valuation), the differences being defined within the Conditions of Engagement, is more detailed and as a result more expensive that the Intermediate Survey, which is broadly comparable with the RICS Level 2 Survey (without valuation), the differences being defined in the Conditions of Engagement, and the one you commission will come down to the type of property you're buying. For a neglected or old (over 75 years) property, which is more likely to have hidden defects, it's advisable to have the Building Survey carried out. This will identify both minor and major structural defects and advise how to overcome these. The Intermediate Survey is best suited to more modern property and gives you a briefer Report style. The best way to think of the difference is to think of the way a tabloid and a broadsheet newspaper cover a news item, with the broadsheet one having more scope to explain the background.
No. If you need a mortgage to buy your house then a lender will need you to pay for a mortgage valuation report. However, this is not a survey and should not be mistaken as such. A mortgage valuation report is just that - a valuation of the property for the mortgage lender to confirm that the property is worth the amount that you want to borrow. Therefore, this report will only highlight obvious defects. For a detailed Survey the surveyor works only for the buyer and will conduct a more detailed examination into the property's structural integrity, repairs, maintenance and condition.
Yes, like all Chartered Surveyors we have to have what is called Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII). What is that? Well no Professional sets out to make mistakes, but if one happens it is the function of PII to recompense the Client (you), if it is proved that an error or some form of Negligence was committed.
Yes. Again as with PII, all Chartered Surveyors are required to offer their Clients a Complaints Handling Process, designed to offer a review of an issue with work which has been undertaken, with an outside review thereafter is no agreement can be reached. Usually the Complaints Handling process is explored before becoming involved in litigation and a claim under a PII policy.
Whilst the complexity of Pery Wall matters prevents us from assisting directly we have a good working relationship with one of the leading Party Wall specialists in the County and would be delighted to put you in contact with them. The correct Party Wall procedures are essential, for example for Building Owners proposing to undertake construction work coming under the Party Wall etc Act 1996, or on behalf of adjoining owners, to safeguard their interests when such work is being carried out that could affect their property.
A Schedule of Condition is a report recording the current condition of a property. The Schedule of Condition will often include a photographic record.
Where Party Wall works are undertaken we would encourage the building owners to have a Schedule of Condition of both properties undertaken prior to the commencement of works, in order to ensure that the condition of the property is agreed. This will thereby safeguard the interests of both parties. A schedule of condition can be referred to should damage later occur as a direct result of the works. The Schedule of Condition, if undertaken will become a part of the Award and therefore a legal record of the condition for later referral and can aid both parties in resolving any dispute.