RICS provide surveyors with several different standard survey types designed to meet a broad range of client needs in the field of economic, concise and easy to understand survey reports. These are:
The best known of these reports is the (Level 2) RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey and Valuation). The ‘HomeBuyer’ has been the staple mid-range survey product for some considerable time. It is a proven and well-designed service meeting the needs of the majority of house buying clients for the majority of house types.
The service includes an inspection of the property, the provision of a report and a valuation allowing the client to:
• make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property
• make an informed decision on what is a reasonable price to pay for the property
• take account of any repairs or replacements the property needs; and
• consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchase the property.
The HomeBuyer is not suitable for all property types. It is not appropriate for very large, unusually dilapidated, complex or older property types.
You may wish to view RICS’s Home Surveys page for a more detailed description of the L2 HBR (S&V) Service, the Terms of Engagement and a blank sample report:
Although it is not a standard feature of the L2 HBR (S&V) Tony Lewis’s reports include a disc or memory stick with around 20 high resolution images of the property and the particular features or defects referenced in the repot.
The L2 HBR (S&V) starts at around £350 plus VAT. We provide quotations specific to the property under consideration. Please contact the office to discuss the property you are considering, we will advise whether it is of suitable type for the HomeBuyer Service and what the appropriate fee would be.
This is a relatively new report format. It is effectively the L2 HBR (S&V) but without the valuation element. It is cheaper than the standard L2 HBR (S&V) because of that. It is designed for those clients who may already have had a valuation from their mortgage lender and are comfortable with the price they have agreed for the property; or, for investor clients or others who are experienced and confident in the amount to be paid – assuming that the property is in the condition they expect it to be.
Tony Lewis’s L2 HBR (S) does not ordinarily include the photographs described in the L2 HBR (S&V) report but these can be included as an extra cost option.
You may wish to view RICS’s Home Surveys page for a more detailed description of the L2 HBR (S) Service, the Terms of Engagement and a blank sample report:
The L2 HBR (S) starts at around £300 plus VAT.
The Condition Report follows the same principles as the L2 HBR (S&V) and HRR (S) in its reporting style but it focusses solely on condition and does not include a valuation or insurance re-instatement assessment. It includes:
• Clear ‘traffic light’ ratings of the condition of different parts of the building, services, garage and outbuildings, showing problems that may require varying degrees of attention.
• A summary of the risks to the condition of the building.
• Advice on replacement parts guarantees, planning and control matters for your legal advisers
You may wish to view RICS’s Home Surveys page for a more detailed description of the L2 CR Service, the Terms of Engagement and a blank sample report:
The L2 CR starts at around £250 plus VAT
