Insurance & Surveying Services

Scope Consulting specialise in property restoration following disasters such as vehicular impact, fires and floods, and work on behalf of Insurance Companies & Loss Adjusters and private clients. We provide a full reinstatement service for all perils such as fire, flood, impact, escape of water and storm.

In addition, we have particular experience in the investigation of damage caused by Subsidence covering the initial inspection, arranging site investigations and interpreting the results, organising mitigation works and designing suitable schemes of repair, to bring the property back to its pre-loss condition.

Scope Consulting also specialise in providing professional surveying advice on residential properties in the North of England and East Midlands. We aim to provide a friendly and approachable service, providing high quality advice and customer service.

The Surveying section of Scope Consulting is managed by Simon Cope ACIOB ACABE BDMA. With experience of working in surveying firms in Sheffield, Leeds and Rotherham.

 

Do I need a survey?

Buying a home is probably the largest purchase most people will ever make. Before signing contracts and committing to a purchase, it is important to make sure you are fully aware of the condition of the property.

• Is the property in a good condition?
• Are there any problems with the property? If there are problems with the property, how serious or urgent are they and what needs to be done about them?
• To answer these questions you need the advice of a local surveyor with a detailed knowledge of properties in this area.

Can I rely on the lender’s valuation?

In most cases, if you are buying a property with a mortgage, your lender will arrange for a mortgage valuation to be carried out and some buyers rely only on this. It is important to remember that this is being done for the benefit of the lender, to confirm that the property is adequate security for their loan. It is not a survey and usually involves no more than a brief and superficial inspection of the property followed by a tick box report. Even though you may be paying for it, this is not being done for you.

The Consumers Association and the Council of Mortgage Lenders advise you to get your own survey carried out before you buy a property and not to rely on the lenders valuation.

Having your own independent survey carried out will allow you to make an informed decision on whether to buy or not. If you proceed with the purchase, it may give you an opportunity to renegotiate the price to reflect any significant defect revealed. There is a cost to a survey, but it is relatively small when compared to the overall price of a property and could save you thousands of pounds in unexpected repair bills.

Choice of typical surveys:

Building survey

This used to be called a full structural survey. It is the most comprehensive survey offered and includes a thorough external and internal inspection of all accessible parts of the property and a detailed report on the construction and condition of the property.

It can also be tailored to address your particular requirements or queries. The report will highlight any areas of concern, advising on repairs that are needed and timescales for dealing with any maintenance issues or defects.

A building survey can be undertaken on all residential properties, but is particularly suited to older, large or un-modernised properties, or where significant alterations have been carried out.

Valuations and insurance reinstatement costs are not included in a building survey, but for a small additional fee, these can be added to the report.

Homebuyer report

This is a mid-range survey presented in a standard format designed by the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) to be concise and easy to refer to. The Homebuyer Report involves a thorough inspection of the property, followed with a concise, jargon free report with standard headings and colour coded condition ratings.

The report is designed to highlight any significant issues and advise on the urgency of any repairs or maintenance needed. This type of survey has been specifically designed for conventionally built and relatively modern properties including bungalows and flats. (A Homebuyer Report is not suitable for listed properties)

The Homebuyer Report also has the added benefit of including a valuation and an insurance reinstatement cost, which you may need for your building insurance.