Building surveyors, chartered surveyors Guildford, Surrey, London.
Who uses home-approved®?
Quite simply, anyone who is planning to buy a property in London or the Home Counties. We survey flats, modern town houses, period properties, conversions, any type of residential property.
Why use home-approved®?
Buying a property is probably the biggest financial commitment you’ll ever make. A Home-Approved® building survey gives you the confidence to make important decisions – and possibly avoid a costly mistake.
When to use home-approved®?
Booking your survey at an early stage of the buying process is better. It can help you avoid unnecessary professional fees and potentially give you valuable negotiating power over the purchase price.
At home-approved® we dont just tick boxes
- When can you have a survey done?
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Booking your survey at an early stage of the buying process is better. It can help you avoid unnecessary professional fees and potentially give you valuable negotiating power over the purchase price.
- Know where you stand?
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At home-approved® our building surveys are designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to make some fundamental decisions – whether to continue with your purchase, whether the extent of repairs means it would be better to walk away, or whether you could negotiate a better deal based on the information in our report.
- What makes home-approved® different?
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So what makes us so different to other property surveyors? We provide a personal and professional service that is fully focused on giving you the information you’ll need. We carry out a thorough visual inspection and use specialist equipment – including extension ladders and pole-mounted cameras – so that we can even check those parts of a property that would otherwise be ignored or overlooked.
- How long does our process take?
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We know that time is often precious and that you may be under pressure from vendors, estate agents and solicitors. So we’ll deliver our survey report within three working days.
- What's included in our report?
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Our findings are presented in a clear and concise format, supported by photographic evidence of defects. Plus, unlike most property surveyors, we’ll provide estimates for repairs to identified defects so that you have a better understanding of what needs to be done. We remain completely impartial and independent at all times and do not recommend contractors or tradesmen. Nor do we have any vested interest in declaring a property to be in poor condition, or inflating estimates for repairs.
- Will a survey save you money?
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A home-approved® building survey can save you money in the long term – the vendor may agree to carry out repairs at their cost or reduce the asking price. In addition you can put the report to good use once you’ve moved in, using our cost estimates as a benchmark when you start getting quotes for remedial work.
- What other services do we offer?
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We provide a full range of complementary surveying and management services which include:
Buying a Victorian Property – Good Idea or a Money Pit? 19/7/2017 - Who doesn’t love a Victorian property? Often oozing with character and distinctive original features such as sash windows, fireplaces, cornices and dado rails, such properties are highly sought after. Unless, that is, you have eyes only for new-build properties with all their mod cons, perfectly flat walls, parking space and a building certificate.
Buying a Flat? You’ll Still Need a Building Survey 17/5/2017 - Let’s face it, when it comes to buying a property there aren’t too many corners that can be cut along the way. For the most part, the process is set, with each step reliant on the previous one.
Are You About to Get on Surrey’s Property Ladder? 3/4/2017 - With house prices in Surrey rocketing, it seems to be increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder – a survey carried out by estate agents Savills showed that just 20% of 25-year-olds own their own property, little surprise when local average prices are in excess of £400,000 and a proportion of people feel their only option is to uproot and move out of the county.
The Cost of Buying a House 3/3/2017 - It’s probably safe to say that the process of buying a house and moving is never going to get cheaper. A study compiled by Post Office Money and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) showed that average moving costs in the South East had increased by 97% over a 10-year period, reaching £16,510...
Thinking of Downsizing? 7/2/2017 - Downsizing to a smaller property is a significant trend amongst older people. Long gone is the tradition of living out our twilight years in the family home, nowadays we’re all facing various financial burdens that demand some big decisions. It can make absolute sense to downsize. Empty nesters find themselves rattling around a house that...
The Challenge of Being a First-time Buyer 6/12/2016 - First-time buyers do not have it easy. For many, getting that step onto the first rung of the property ladder is more of a massive leap. The cost of property has boomed in recent years. That's why it's essential to get professional advice. The building survey is there to help in the purchasing decision and can actually save you money by adding to your negotiating strength. What is the Difference Between Leasehold and Freehold? 22/11/2016 - Whilst you may fall in love with a particular property and set your heart on buying it, there is one crucial legality that should not be overlooked – the terms on which you will own that property. In England there are two forms of home ownership – freehold and leasehold – and it makes all...
Has Brexit Affected the Property Market? 21/9/2016 - Whether you were for or against Brexit, 23rd June will go down as a day to remember.
Party Wall Agreements – What You Need to Know 1/7/2016 - Keeping on good terms with your neighbours is always a good thing – after all, you never know when you might need to ask a favour. And having a good relationship is always the best starting point if you are going to be having work done to your property. The purpose of the Party Wall...
How Much Would it Cost to Rebuild Your Property? 13/4/2016 - Do you know what it would cost to rebuild your property if it suffered serious damage? Chances are the answer is probably not. But increasingly home owners are expected to supply an accurate rebuild cost to insurance companies when taking out a buildings insurance policy. And this is where potential problems can arise. Imagine –...