We offer a full and comprehensive range of survey options. Browse our services below.
RICS Level 1 Survey
This is a basic level of survey, suitable for conventional residential properties built within the last 30 years.
RICS Level 2 Survey
This is more detailed and suitable for residential properties built within the last 100 years.
RICS Level 3 Survey
This is much more comprehensive, with more specific detail and suitable for all types of residential property.
Historic Building Surveys
We are the only company in this area that offers this additional level of survey. This is the best choice for old properties, including stone, timber-framed and thatched properties as well as for listed buildings.
Schedules of Condition
If you are taking a lease on a commercial building, we can help make sure you and the landlord are aware of its condition before you start.
Party Wall Agreements
If you are proposing works to your property that may affect a neighbour or if you are a neighbour and have been served with a Party Wall Notice we can advise you and act as your appointed surveyor.
Why Do I Need a Survey?
Buying a property, whether it be a new home, a new business or as an investment, is likely to be the most expensive purchase you will make. Buying a property is a complex process and you need to be sure you are getting the best advice possible. Buildings are themselves highly complex, involving a wide range of materials and structures all interacting with each other as well as an intricate provision of plumbing, heating, electricity and drainage. As a result they require ongoing maintenance and can often hide a number of areas of disrepair which could prove very expensive to rectify. These can range from inadequate construction or dampness right through to leaking pipework or rotten timberwork.
In order to be sure you are paying a reasonable amount for the property you need to know up front whether any costly repairs are evident. A survey will give you this information and, depending on the service you require, can provide you with a professional assessment of what the property is actually worth, taking account of its condition so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed. A survey can save you thousands of pounds.
I’m Already Paying for a Mortgage Valuation
A Mortgage Valuation is not a survey. The mortgage lender often calls it a survey as it is carried out by a surveyor but this is confusing. It is a limited check aimed at letting the lender know whether it is suitable to lend the money on a property. The surveyor is acting for the lender, who does not require detailed information as to condition. Areas of concern that the surveyor notices during the inspection may well not be included in the valuation report. It is therefore in your interests to commission an independent survey which is designed to protect your interests. Both the Council of Mortgage Lenders and Which? give this advice.
What Type of Survey Do I need?
When buying a house there are three types of survey you can have: A comprehensive Building Survey; a RICS Homebuyer Report and a RICS Condition Report.
The RICS level 3 Building Survey is suitable for any type of house and involves a very detailed inspection and report.
The RICS level 2 Survey, also known as the Homebuyer Report, is in prescribed form designed by the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) to offer a more economical survey which will outline areas of major concern in conventional houses. It is suitable for houses of conventional construction and of less than one hundred years old which appear to be in a reasonable condition. The report is limited to significant and urgent matters rather than providing all the detail of a Building Survey. It also includes a valuation as standard. It is not considered suitable for period dwellings or those of unusual construction requiring specialist knowledge. Clearly a 16th Century thatched cottage requires a more detailed inspection and would require a more comprehensive Building Survey.
The RICS level 1 Survey, also know as the Condition Report is also commissioned by the RICS. It is in a very similar format to the Homebuyer Report, but is less detailed with limited advice. While the report contains condition ratings and detail on every aspect of the property, it is an assessment of current condition only, and does not provide a valuation or an assessment of reinstatement costs. For homebuyers, the report provides a cheaper way of ensuring there are no areas of significant disrepair or concern.
Contact Us
Simply complete the form below and one of our friendly team will be in touch to discuss your survey options.
Client Testimonials
Ben Green24 May 2023Having used Paul's services for a survey on our upcoming listed building purchase I can assure you that you will get the most thorough, professional and helpful service that you could wish for. The report tallied over 100 pages covering all aspects of the house, walls, frames, windows, roof space, drainage, outbuildings, render, roof tiles, water tanks, electrics, insulation, listed building consent, health and safety and much more. Not only that but Paul's report also told us how to best maintain the house going forwards, using what materials and how often things need doing. This was most definitely worth every penny and has allowed us to make an informed decision on the purchase going forwards. A+ rating from me!
James Marron19 May 2023I could not recommend Paul Gowers highly enough. Excellent service and a very comprehensive, clear report. An extremely knowledgeable and helpful professional.
Brian Scull15 September 2021I have just had a Survey completed by Gowers of Stamford. I have to say that the team there are superb. From the first contact with Catherine who was courteous, professional and helpful and who also arranged everything. To the surveyor Paul who was marvellous, the report was clear and well presented and easy to understand. Paul was extremely helpful and prepared to spend time discussing all the sections and any issues i had.He was very professional and a pleasure to deal with. I don’t normally do revues but felt compelled on this occasion because they deserve enormous praise and i would thoroughly recommend them.
Cameron Bauldry7 July 2021I needed a building survey doing at short notice after red flags were raised once receiving searches and the sellers paperwork back. Unfortunately Gowers and everyone else I checked with were all booked up for months however Paul took time out of his busy day to speak to me, listen to my situation and provide me with some fantastic advice which I very much appreciate. He is very knowledgeable and the advice given has helped me in the next steps of my house purchase. Thank you again.
Neil Crees18 March 2021The value of using Paul, a local well known professional, was huge. I received immediate personal feedback allowing me to take timely action to avoid what could have been an expensive mistake.
Sam Paul10 December 2019We engaged Gowers to carry out a building survey for an old residential property with multiple issues. Paul Gowers was excellent in his response time to our questions and the level of professional reporting. The service we received was reassuring for us and we would certainly use Gowers again.
Mandy Ingram6 June 2018We recently used Gowers Surveyors for a building project involving the Party Wall Act. It was applicable on both boundaries and Paul acted as Agreed Surveyor on one side and Building Owner Surveyor on the other. The build itself was fairly straight forward, but the Party Wall process was definitely not... Paul is the consummate professional. Knowledgeable, reliable, calm and level headed he always made himself available whether in person or at the end of a phone or email to ourselves and our contractors. The project lasted 8 months and he continued to deliver the highest level of professionalism and advice throughout. Cannot recommend him highly enough!
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