As experienced building surveyors, we are confident working with our team will help you secure your next property
Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or simply looking for your forever home, we are here to help.
For any potential buyers who do not need a formal property survey, our team can conduct a Due Diligence inspection instead. This report does not focus on the property’s physical condition but can help legal professionals prepare a more comprehensive report for your purchase.
A Due Diligence report offers essential insights into compliance, boundary issues, disparities between the property's physical state and its advertised representation, and environmental concerns.
Working with your legal team
The Due Diligence report includes the following services:
Checking the property to spot and highlight any changes between the current layout and the original Land Registry Title Plan.
Offering guidance on commissioning certificates from the seller's legal team and addressing any issues.
Measuring and reporting on the internal floor area to make sure they are as advertised.
Looking at the relevant clauses and licenses, advising on any potential breaches of restrictive covenants or license obligations.
Checking local authority planning and listed building consents to make sure it is compliant with approvals.
Reviewing available local authority building control or approved inspector completion certificates.
Assessing flood risk using the Environment Agency Flood Map.
Highlighting the nearby infrastructure with the Transport for London Public Access map.
It is important to remember a Due Diligence inspection and report does not replace a building survey and will not include a property valuation. A Due Diligence report essentially serves as a valuable tool for legal advisors when instructing on a new house purchase. This means the general structural condition of the house, any dampness, the state of main services, equipment, asbestos, fire, and other health and safety matters are not covered.
Our surveying team
Our residential surveys are designed for our clients who are looking to invest in their dream homes. From new builds, apartments, large homes and country estates, our team are experienced in creating comprehensive residential surveys that help our clients make informed decisions.
Providing comprehensive building surveys
With a residential survey from our team, you will benefit from our clear and logical reporting style, easily accessible and straight to the point. Our reports help empower our clients with the knowledge and insights they need to make informed decisions about their property investments.
Together with our helpful advice and same-day summary report highlighting any issues that might affect your decision to move forward, the Bird Charles Surveyors building survey report includes:
A full appraisal of the structural condition of the property, from the condition of the roof structure and coverings, as well as mention of any damp, rot and other relevant issues if needed.
An insurance rebuild sum and guidance on security so our clients can get the right building insurance cover.
A comprehensive review of the quality, age and functionality of the installed services including heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electrical systems, as well as leisure facilities.
Our role in your property purchase does not just stop at the survey and report, as we include a holistic approach to help guide you through the whole sale process.
We will work closely with legal advisers and buying agents to help with any additional enquiries, compliance issues and any other relevant matters related to your purchase.
We review leases, licences to alter, title deeds, planning and listed building consents and other legal documents to make sure the property you are buying is compliant with the relevant legislation and regulations.
Our commitment to detail, practical advice, and quick reporting means you can enjoy a smooth and efficient buying process. If you are ready to take the next step in your property search, get in touch with our team today.
Our admin team
We can also survey your home when you are ready to sell, helping to secure a quick and successful sale. Our vendor's survey can offer invaluable insights into any potential issues that might disrupt or delay the conveyancing process, improving your chances of selling your property smoothly.
Helping sell your property
When looking at a potential property, buyers are often unaware of looking at aspects such as the condition of a roof, damp problems, structural issues, unapproved alterations, or outdated services. These issues can also escape the seller but might be fundamental to the sale or can even lead to a significant reduction in an initial offer.
Having a vendor survey helps spot these issues earlier, meaning they can be resolved before a later survey or a legal report is created on the title and helps with the following:
They find retrospective consents for any unauthorised modifications and make sure there are up-to-date certificates and service records. These also help remove big obstacles to a successful sale. Our vendor's survey reports also help the sellers' legal teams in compiling essential documents and certificates for their sales package, enabling them to respond efficiently to the buyer’s legal enquiries.
Investing time in preparing your home for sale is essential for realising its maximum potential value as well as avoiding delays or stagnation of your property on the market. A property with few or no major issues is less likely to cause a buyer to pull out of the sale, helping a smoother sale.
If you are looking to sell a listed building or a refurbished property, a vendor's survey serves as an effective tool to help make a swift sale while maximising your property’s value.
Our team at Bird Charles Surveyors, create comprehensive snagging lists with photos to share with the developer so they can fix it before you move into your new home. We can also arrange follow-up inspections to make sure all of the issues have been resolved and your new property is delivered in the condition you expect.
You can choose to have a standalone snagging inspection or include it with a building survey report if you need more information about the construction of the property you are looking to buy.
Paying attention to the details
When buying a new or renovated property, having a snagging list is essential as it helps spot any issues that will need the developer's attention. Snagging inspections can also uncover more serious issues which could potentially be very disruptive to fix.
Our snagging inspections cover critical and often overlooked installing of the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and air systems, making sure they are running properly and any issues are highlighted and dealt with.
