Building Condition Survey

A building condition survey visually assesses a property’s physical state and can provide critical information to property buyers, owners and investors. With various types of property surveys available, you can determine exactly how detailed the assessment needs to meet your needs.

As the name suggests, a building condition survey assesses a property’s condition at that moment in time. While it can give a good indication of potential issues, it won’t necessarily tell you exactly what could go wrong with the building in the long term. Due to this, property owners often have condition assessments carried out regularly, such as every five years.

These types of surveys apply to both residential and commercial properties, but the exact nature of the survey may differ depending on the type of property that is being assessed.
If you opt for a Level 1 RICS survey (also known as a Condition Report) before purchasing a residential home, for example, then you’ll be relying on the most basic form of pre-acquisition survey. However, for relatively new homes that are in good condition and built using standard materials, this can be sufficient.

In contrast, a comprehensive building condition survey can extend beyond this to include the internal and external conditions of the property, as well as its structure. Your survey can also include required repairs and maintenance, as well as setting out whether they are likely to be required in the short, medium or long term. This can be particularly useful when you’re planning maintenance activities and may form part of a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) survey).

Although the specifics of a condition survey can vary, most commercial building condition surveys include an assessment of:

• Structure and fabric
• External elements
• Internal elements
• Services
• Accessibility
• Fire safety
• Security
• Building regulations
• Dangerous materials
• Environmental hazards

These types of surveys are extremely important as the condition of a property can affect its functionality and safety and, therefore, its value. You may be required to get a pre-acquisition condition survey before securing a mortgage as the lender will want to protect their investment, for example.

As a property owner, condition surveys provide valuable information that can help to maximise the value of the building and land. What’s more – a comprehensive assessment will help you to determine what remedial works are a) necessary and b) can offer the greatest return.

There is an almost endless list of issues that can affect the condition of a building, but the most common problems include:

• Settlement, cracking or shifting
• Defective roof/tiles
• Presence of asbestos
• Improper drainage
• Faulty wiring

This gives you a glimpse into the issues that can be identified via a condition survey – and shows why having regular surveys carried out is so important!

To find out more about our building condition surveys or for help determining what type of survey is right for your needs, contact our team now at 020 3176 0029 or email us at info@tcl-surveyors.co.uk