Which type of survey do I
need?
Hodgson Elkington offer two
standard survey services: the Homebuyer's
Survey and Valuation and the Building Survey
(formerly called a Structural Survey).
The Homebuyer's
Report is produced in a standard, concise
report format and focuses only on defects
and matters which are identified as being
either urgent or likely to have a significant
bearing on the agreed purchase price for the
property.
The Building
Survey report is a far more detailed report,
covering all aspects of the property and providing
detailed comment and advice regarding large
and small scale defects.
As an example, the Homebuyer's
Report would be more appropriate for a modern
property, which has not been altered and has
no apparent serious defects.
The Building Survey would be
more appropriate for an older property, the
condition of which is deteriorating, or which
has undergone alteration or earlier repairs.
Our Surveyors will be pleased
to offer advice over the telephone as the
most appropriate route for your particular
property. In some cases we will offer
to undertake a very brief preliminary inspection
in order to determine the most appropriate
survey, for a nominal charge.
The Homebuyer's Report includes
a valuation of the property as an integral
part of the service. The Building Survey
does not include a valuation, although this
can be added at a small additional charge.
Since the Building Survey is
not restricted to a standard format, this
can be expanded to suit any type of property.
It can also be enlarged to include further
specialist investigations as considered appropriate
and as agreed with/commissioned by the client.
For instance, in the case of
older properties it is sometimes desirable
for additional specialist reports to be commissioned
relating for instance to the below ground
drainage, or electrical or plumbing/gas installations. Hodgson
Elkington can arrange all such additional
inspections on your behalf at agreed prices
and then incorporate into the main survey
report. If you consider that you may
need any such additional services, please
feel free to discuss this with one of our Surveyors.
Survey
types - A summary 
