Surveys

Level 2 Homebuyers

Designed for prospective homeowners, our Homebuyers Reports offer a concise overview of a property’s condition. We assess key elements such as the structure, roof, and services, highlighting any urgent issues and providing a clear understanding of potential future maintenance needs. Homebuyers reports can be extended to include a valuation.

Level 3 Major Defect Report

Adelaide Jones can provide Major Defects Reports for properties to outline defects and to provide Solicitors with a comprehensive check list for conveyancing.
We recommend that any prospective purchaser in Prime Central London instructs a Major Defects Report prior to purchase.An Adelaide Jones Major Defects Reports satisfies the RICS Level 3 Building Survey Requirements. They are suitable for properties in reasonable condition that do not require comprehensive building work.

Level 3+ Building Survey

A step up from a Major Defects Report, an Adelaide Jones Level 3+ Building Surve will allow purchasers to see the costs of remedying defects prior to purchase and to help with negotiation. Where a purchaser intends to carry out a full refurbishment a Level 3 Survey will assist by providing the starting point for a Schedule of Works to be priced by a Building Contractor.
We evaluate the structure of a property and can advise where further investigations are required, ie the appointment of a Structural Engineer to test foundations, walls, roofs, and more.
Adelaide Jones also offers project management and Contract Administration services as a follow up and some of our past projects can be viewed below: INSERT TRACK RECORD

Why Adelaide Jones ?

Condition Surveys

Our Condition Surveys assess the current state of a property, documenting its overall condition and identifying maintenance requirements. Otherwise known as RICS Level 1 Home Surveys they are suitable as a basic assessment only. Otherwise known as RICS Level 1 Home Surveys they are suitable as a basic assessment only. Whether for property management, investment, or pre-purchase evaluations, our reports provide clients with the necessary information to make informed decisions about upkeep and investment strategies.
Adelaide Jones can provide detailed Condition Surveys with photos to show exactly the condition of a property before a neighbour embarks on a disruptive programme of work.

Snagging Reports

We can snag new build properties for clients to provide a list of repairs to be carried out by the Developer prior to completion.

Development Monitoring Surveys

We offer Development Monitoring Surveys to ensure that construction projects are progressing as planned. Our team conducts regular inspections, verifying compliance with design specifications, quality standards, and timelines, providing clients with peace of mind throughout the development process.
What would be a reasonable price for the Property?
Are there drawbacks I don’t know about?
If so, what do I need to do about them?
Commissioning your own survey is the simple, economic way, to avoid unpleasant – and perhaps costly – surprises after moving in. In some cases, the Surveyor’s report may enable you to renegotiate the price.

The Two Types of Survey. What choice of survey do I have?

01 A Building Survey (formerly called a structural survey)

A Building Survey is a bespoke service suitable for all residential properties and provides a ful, detailed picture of their construction and condition. It is likely to be needed if the Property is, for example, of unusual construction, is dilapidated or has been extensively altered – or where a major conversion or renovation is planned.

Building Surveys are usually tailored to the Client’s individual requirements. The report includes extensive technical information on material and construction as well as details of the whole range of defects, major to minor.

02 The HOMEBUYER Survey & Valuation (usually called ‘The HOMEBUYER Service’)

In contrast to a Building Survey, The HOMEBUYER Service is in a standard format and is designed specifically as an economical service. It therefore differs materially from a Building Survey in two major respects.

It is intended only for particular types of home: houses, bungalows and flats which are: conventional in type and construction apparently in reasonable condition.

It focuses on essentials: defects and problems which are urgent or significant which may have an effect on the value of the Property — although it also includes much other valuable information. The HOMEBUYER, unlike a Building Survey, provides not only a Survey but also a Valuation and reinstatement cost assessment as an integral part of the Service.

Compare the Services

The main features of the HOMEBUYER Service are compared below with those of a Building Survey:
Type of property
Type of service
Objects of service
Special features
Special features
Form of Report
HOMEBUYER Survey & Valuation
Conventional houses, flats, bungalows, etc., in apparently reasonable condition.
Economy package in standard form.
To assist client to:

01 make an informed judgement on whether or not to proceed;
02 assess what would be a reasonable purchase price for the Property;
03 assess all urgent and significant matters before exchanging contracts (in Scotland before concluding an offer).
Focus on urgent and significant matters.
Integral part of HOMEBUYER Service.
Compact, fixed RlCS format.
Building Survey
Any residential or other property, in any condition.
A detailed and comprehensive report that can be tailored to suit your needs.
To provide client with:

01 a detailed assessment of condition/construction of Property; and

02 technical advice on problems and remedial works.
Comprehensive details of the Property’s construction, materials, uses and defects.
Bespoke to client requirements.
Bespoke to client requirements.
HOMEBUYER Survey & Valuation
Type of property
Conventional houses, flats, bungalows, etc., in apparently reasonable condition.
Type of service
Economy package in standard form.
Objects of service
To assist client to:

01 make an informed judgement on whether or not to proceed;
02 assess what would be a reasonable purchase price for the Property;
03 assess all urgent and significant matters before exchanging contracts (in Scotland before concluding an offer).
Special features
Focus on urgent and significant matters.
Special features
Integral part of HOMEBUYER Service.
Form of Report
Compact, fixed RlCS format.
Building Survey
Type of property
Any residential or other property, in any condition.
Type of service
A detailed and comprehensive report that can be tailored to suit your needs.
Objects of service
To provide client with:

01
a detailed assessment of condition/construction of Property; and
02 technical advice on problems and remedial works.
Special features
Comprehensive details of the Property’s construction, materials, uses and defects.
Special features
Bespoke to client requirements.
Form of Report
Bespoke to client requirements.

FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions.

What else should I know about the HOMEBUYER Service?

The Service — the Inspection, the Report and the Valuation — are all explained in detail in the accompanying Description of the HOMEBUYER Service, but the highlights are:

This is an economical service. Because of the practical limits on the type of property and on the scope of its coverage, the HOMEBUYER Service is priced mid-range — more expensive than a Mortgage Valuation, but less than a Building Survey.
The Surveyor’s main goal is to provide a reasoned and informed judgment on whether or not to proceed with the purchase, considering various factors such as property condition, potential issues, and resale value.
A Surveyor assesses the property’s general condition, particular features, and relevant considerations like location and environment to advise on a reasonable purchase price. They also highlight significant issues and provide insights for informed decision-making before finalizing contracts.
Clients can request individually tailored surveys to address their concerns, such as suitability for disabled persons. The Surveyor can keep these concerns in mind during the inspection or agree on specific additions to the standard service.
Yes, clients can ask for extra services like a schedule of minor defects or testing of mains services by qualified specialists. However, these services require a separate contract and cannot be included in the standard HOMEBUYER Service. If there are actions clients need to take before proceeding with the purchase, these are clearly indicated in the report as ‘ACTION’ and included in the summary with guidance on how to proceed.
For example, whether the Property is suitable for a disabled person — the Surveyor, if asked, keep this in mind during the Inspection. Or, Client and Surveyor may agree on a specific addition to the Service.

In some situations the Client may ask the Surveyor to provide some extra service outside the scope of the standard package. For example, the Client may ask for a schedule of minor defects (for later discussion with a contractor), or the testing of mains services by suitably qualified specialists. The Surveyor may be prepared to arrange such extra services, but they cannot be undertaken as part of the HOMEBUYER Service: they require a separate contract.

Before deciding to proceed with the purchase, this is clearly signaled in the text of the Report as ‘ACTION’. Together with other key considerations, each such item is included in the Summary, with advice on how to take the action.

Terms of Business

Please click on the links below if you wish to view and download examples of reports and letters that can we can compile.