Our Surveys
We undertake comprehensive building surveys to all types of commercial or residential property and advice on matters such as the condition, defects and remedies, and the need for specialist investigation.
The levels of surveys we typically provide are as follows:
This level of service includes a visual inspection less extensive than for Home Buyers or Building Surveys. No tests are undertaken. The report objectively describes the condition of the building, its services and the grounds. It highlights (not comprehensively) relevant legal issues and any obvious risks to the building, people or grounds. The report is succinct and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects and problems. Where we are unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence, a recommendation for further investigation may be necessary. This survey does not necessarily include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance.
This intermediate level of service includes a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but still without tests. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, easily openable man hole lids and un obstructed under-floor crawl areas/basements). The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. At this level, although it is concise, the report does necessarily include advice about repairs and any ongoing maintenance issues. Where we are unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence, a recommendation for further investigations may be necessary. The home buyers may result in referrals for further investigations.
A Building Survey consists of a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds that is more extensive than a Home Buyers Report. We inspect concealed areas not normally opened or used by the occupiers (where it is safe and appropriate to do so and the owner/occupier has given permission). Although the services are generally tested, they are observed in normal operation - in other words, they are switched on and/or operated unless stated.
The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. Additionally, it describes the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected, propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection, outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair, make general recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary work, identify and describe the legal implications of ownership in detail.
Where we feel we are unable to reach the necessary conclusions with reasonable confidence, we will refer the matter for further investigations however usually Building Survey referrals are an exception rather than the rule. A Building Survey still aims to provide the client with all the information they need to make a purchase decision.
We are on hand to provide specialist building surveying services on properties of all ages and genres. We are regulated Members of the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland & the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which are the leading organizations of its kind for property professionals.
Our core area of business is in undertaking residential surveys for house buyers. In this field we have established a sound reputation, within the local house-buying market, for our ability to provide concise and informative professional reports within a tight time frame and at competitive prices.
With twenty years’ experience we are well placed to provide sound independent technical advice on building surveys.
