How to do Building Surveys

We're going to divide the Building Survey process into three sections: the start, viewing the property (the middle) and survey reflection (the end).

The Start

This is the choosing of your property to survey section and the gathering of information.

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The Property Process

•  Potential client contacts you.

•  Discuss the various types of surveys.

•  Confirm instructions in writing, including terms and conditions.

•  Organise survey date and send confirmation letter to vendor and client.

•  Desktop survey get to know the area.

•  Carry out the survey structured manner - using site notes! (a pre-formatted sheet)

•  Use the right equipment; to include camera, voice dictation machine, ladder, damp meters, screwdriver, compass, hammer and chisel and a pair of gloves (for lifting drains), spirit level, pen and pencil, torches preferably two and tape measure.

•  Dictate/write the report.

Hints when choosing your property

You need to choose a property that will stretch and develop your surveying skill, such as a substantial residential or commercial property, which you anticipate will have some property issues.

•  You need to familiarise yourself with the format of building survey reports and also read the RICS Guidance Notes on Building Surveys, both for residential properties and commercial properties. There is lots of information on the www.1stAssociated.co.uk website.

•  Preparing yourself for the survey.

You need to understand the area the survey is being carried out in, you need to be able to read the area/village/town/city.

See articles on McTowns and also Reading the Town.

•  You need to be able to identify what era the building is from and become knowledgeable about the type of defects that occur in that era. See our articles on property eras.

Things To Do

E-mail a summary of the external, internal and services section. Each e-mail should include the previous section, which has been improved. So, for example, the third e-mail would include the external, internal (both of which will have been revised and improved) and the services section.

View the www.1stAssociated.co.uk website to look at articles on any particular issues they have.