Building Surveying

Pre-Purchase Home Survey 

A Pre-Purchase Home Survey is normally conducted prior to a property being purchased and at the ‘Sale Agreed’ stage. It offers peace of mind by identifying any significant defects or Building/Planning Regulation compliance issues which could be costly to remedy. Our reports are carried out by qualified Registered Building Surveyors experienced in inspecting a wide variety of Residential properties from the most modern to period dwellings.

The written survey report produced following the inspection describes the condition of the property under various separate headings. It summarises the overall condition of each building element and makes recommendations for the remedy of any defects.

What is a pre-purchase survey?

Buying a House, Apartment or a Commercial premises is probably going to be the largest long-term financial commitment that most people will ever make. To be sure that the property under consideration is a sound purchase proposition a ‘Pre-Purchase Survey’ is essential once the sale price has been negotiated.

A ‘Pre-Purchase Survey’ is a detailed internal and external inspection of the property to assess its condition and to determine whether there are any defects present which could potentially have a substantial cost implication to repair or affect a Purchaser’s decision to proceed and complete the sale.

It is frequently referred to as a ‘Structural Survey’, ‘Building Inspection’ or ‘Home Survey’ and is carried out on behalf of the potential purchaser of a property. The building elements typically considered during a Pre-Purchase Survey are listed below.

Pre-Purchase Surveys are usually carried out prior to the signing of final contract documentation at the ‘Sale Agreed’ stage and are usually considered mandatory by Solicitors and lending institutions as they highlight any Planning or Building Regulation compliance issues and detail the extent of any remedial works required to refurbish a property or structural repairs.

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland broadly categorises building surveys as being either ‘Type 1, 2 or 3’. We carry out ‘Type 2’ surveys on all properties inspected and is the most detailed inspection possible without carrying out opening up works. Type 3 building surveys would only be allowed in exceptional circumstances as a follow on to a Type 2 survey when further investigation to establish the cause of a defect is required.