Description of the Homebuyer Service provided by
Brooker & Co. Chartered Surveyors



A - THE SERVICE
 

A1 The HOMEBUYER Service comprises:  
A2 The surveyors main objective in the HOMEBUYER Service is to give clients considering buying a particular Property, the professional advice that will assist them:
  • To make a reasoned and informed judgement on whether or not to proceed with the purchase at the agreed price
  • To assess whether or not the Property is a reasonable purchase at the agreed price
  • To be clear what decisions and actions should be taken before contracts are exchanged
 
A3 The HOMEBUYER Service therefore covers the general condition of the Property and particular features which affect its present value and may affect its future resale. The report focuses on what the Surveyor judges to be urgent or significant matters. Significant matters are those which, typically, in negotiations over price would be reflected in the amount finally agreed.

B - THE INSPECTION
 

B1 The inspection is a general surface examination of those parts of the Property which are accessible: in other words, visible and readily available for examination from ground and floor levels, without risk of causing damage to the property or injury to the Surveyor. Due care is therefore exercised throughout the inspection regarding safety, practicality and the constraints of being a visitor to the Property (which may be occupied.) So furniture, floor coverings and other contents are not moved or lifted; and no part is forced or laid open to make it accessible.
B2 The services are inspected (except in the case of flats, for drainage, lifts and security systems), but the Surveyor does not test or assess the efficiency of electrical, gas, plumbing, heating or drainage installations, or compliance with current regulations, or the internal condition of any chimney, boiler or other flue. Also, the Surveyor does not research the presence (or possible consequences) of contamination by any harmful substance. However, if a problem is suspected in any of these areas, advice is given on what action should be taken.
B3 Where necessary, parts of the Inspection are made from adjoining public property. Such equipment as a damp meter, binoculars and torch may be used. A ladder is used for flat roofs not more than three metres above ground level. Leisure facilities and non permanent buildings (such as pools and timber sheds) are noted but not examined. In the case of flats, exterior  surfaces of the building containing the Property, as well as its access areas, are examined in order to assess their general condition; roof spaces are inspected if there is a hatch within the flat.

C - THE REPORT
 

C1 The Report provides the Surveyors opinion of those matters which are urgent or significant and need action or evaluation by the Client before contracts are exchanged. It includes some or all of the following:
  • Urgent Repairs (e.g. gas leaks; defective chimney stacks – for which the client should obtain quotations where appropriate
  • Significant matters requiring further investigation where essential (e.g. suspected subsidence) – for which the Client should obtain (and may have to pay for) reports and quotations from suitable contractors
  • Significant but not urgent repairs and renewals e.g. new flat roof covering before long etc
  • Other significant considerations (e.g. some potential cause of inconvenience) which the Surveyor wishes to draw to the attention of the Client
  • Legal Matters (e.g. a possible right of way) which the Client should instruct the Legal Advisers to include in their inquiries

D - THE VALUATION AND REINSTATEMENT COST
 

D1 The last section of the Report contains the surveyor’s opinion of both the Open Market Value of the Property and of the Reinstatement Cost, as defined below.
D2 “Open Market Value” is the best price at which the sale of an interest in property would have been completed unconditionally for cash consideration on the date of the Valuation. In arriving at the opinion of Open Market Value, the Surveyor also makes various standard assumptions covering for example: vacant possession; tenure and other legal considerations; contamination and hazardous materials; the condition of the uninspected parts; the right to use mains services; and the exclusions of curtains, carpets etc., from the valuation. Any additional assumption, or any found not to apply are reported. 
D3 “Reinstatement Cost” is an estimate for insurance purposes of the current cost of rebuilding the Property in its present form, unless otherwise stated. This includes the cost of rebuilding the garage and permanent outbuildings, site clearance and professional fees, but excludes VAT(except on fees).