Published 10 February 2022 · Last reviewed 29 March 2023 · Older article — see current rates
RICS Homebuyer Report & RICS Building Survey via GOTO Survey
At Niche Advice we have partnered with GOTO Group to provide our clients with a range of professional services including Homebuyer & Building Surveys.
The information below has been provided by my GOTO Group for guidance purposes only
BENEFITS OF USING GOTO SURVEYS
- Peace of mind
- Saves time & money
- Ability to speak to surveyor
- Surveyor is acting for client unlike with lender valuation
- All our surveyors are members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
There are good reasons why you should NOT use the lender’s surveyor to do your survey
- May jeopardise the mortgage application.
If you ask the lender’s surveyor to perform a more detailed survey then there is a greater chance that they may find something untoward. If so they will have a duty to inform the lender and this may jeopardise the mortgage application. By using your own surveyor you avoid this risk and ensure the surveyor has no conflict of interest. The surveyor acts solely for you allowing you to decide what, if any, action to take in light of the survey. - Faster turnaround.
Instructing your own surveyor is usually much quicker. A 7 day turnaround is typical whereas lender’s surveyors are generally booked up well in advance. The sooner you know the true condition of the property the sooner you can make informed decisions such as obtaining quotes for remedial work.
Which survey is right for me? read more…
Which survey is right for me?
| Key Features | RICS HomeBuyer Report | Building Survey * |
|---|---|---|
| Independent valuation to help you avoid overpaying for the property. | ✔ | |
| Provides rebuild cost for insurance purposes. | ✔ | |
| Report provides easy to read traffic light rating. | ✔ | |
| Identifies any problems that need urgent attention or require further investigation. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Helps avoid unexpected costly repairs after you move in. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Suitable when buying a conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Identifies potential legal issues that need to be addressed before completing your purchase. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Identifies issues that need to be investigated to prevent serious damage or dangerous conditions. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gives advice on the steps needed to repair/resolve any defects identified. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Establishes how the construction type materials are used and how these will perform in the future. | ✔ | |
| Suitable for older properties or extensively modified buildings or a property in need of modernisation. | ✔ | |
| A more detailed visual inspection of a wider range of issues including a more thorough consideration of the roof space, ground floors and services. | ✔ |
* Building Surveys do not include a market valuation or rebuilding costs. These are often instructed in with a mortgage lender’s basic valuation which will already contain these figures.
This information has been provided by GOTO Survey as a guide only should you want to discuss your choices you can do so once Niche Advice has instructed go to survey where a representative will be in touch