Initial document for starting surveys

Initial document for starting surveys


  1. Title and address of property
  2.  Client's name, address and contacts
  3.  Survey date and time
  4. Property status … freehold, leasehold or common hold
  5.  Occupancy … occupied or vacant. If vacant, source of keys
  6.  Extent of survey, e.g. full structural + services reports
  7. Specialists in attendance, e.g. electrician, heating engineer, etc.
  8.  Age of property (approx. if very dated or no records)
  9.  Disposition of rooms, i.e. number of bedrooms, etc.
  10.  Floor plans and elevations if available
  11.  Elevation (flooding potential) and orientation (solar effect)
  12.  Estate/garden area and disposition if appropriate
  13.  Means of access … roads, pedestrian only, rights of way Survey tools and equipment:
  14.  Drawings + estate agent's particulars if available
  15.  Notebook and pencil/pen
  16.  Binoculars and a camera with flash facility
  17.  Tape measure, spirit level and plumb line
  18.  Other useful tools, to include small hammer, torch, screwdriver and manhole lifting irons
  19.  Moisture meter
  20.  Ladders … eaves access and loft access
  21.  Sealable bags for taking samples, e.g. wood rot, asbestos, etc. Estate and garden:
  22.  Location and establishment of boundaries
  23.  Fences, gates and hedges … material, condition and suitability
  24.  Trees … type and height, proximity to building
  25.  Pathways and drives … material and condition
  26.  Outbuildings … garages, sheds, greenhouses, barns, etc.
  27.  Proximity of water courses Roof:
  28.  Tile type, treatment at ridge, hips, verge and valleys
  29.  Age of covering, repairs, replacements, renewals, general condition, defects and growths
  30.  Eaves finish, type and condition
  31.  Gutters … material, size, condition, evidence of leakage
  32.  Rainwater down pipes as above
  33.  Chimney … dpcs, flashings, flaunching, pointing, signs of movement
  34.  Flat roofs … materials, repairs, abutments, flashings and drainage Walls:
  35.  Materials … type of brick, rendering, cladding, etc., condition and evidence of repairs
  36.  Solid or cavity construction, if cavity extent of insulation and type
  37.  Pointing of masonry, painting of rendering and cladding
  38.  Air brick location, function and suitability
  39.  Dpc, material and condition, position relative to ground level
  40.  Windows and doors, material, signs of rot or damage, original or replacement, frame seal
  41. Roof space:

  • Access to all parts, construction type … traditional or trussed
  •  Evidence of moisture due to condensation … ventilation at eaves, ridge, etc.

  •  Evidence of water penetration … chimney flashings, abutments and valleys
  •  Insulation … type and quantity
  •  Party wall in semi-detached and terraced dwellings … suitability as fire barrier
  •  Plumbing … adequacy of storage cistern, insulation, overflow function

    42. Floors:
  • Construction … timber, pre-cast or cast insitu concrete? Finish condition?
  • Timber ground floor … evidence of dampness, rot, woodworm, ventilation, dpcs
  • Timber upper floor stability, ie. wall fixing, strutting, joist size, woodworm, span and loading

43.Stairs:

  •  Type of construction and method of fixing … built insitu or preformed
  • Soffit, re. fire protection (plasterboard?)
  •  Balustrading … suitability and stability
  •  Safety … adequate screening, balusters, handrail, pitch angle, open tread, tread wear

44. Finishes:

  • General decor, i.e. paint and wallpaper condition … damaged, faded
  •  Woodwork/joinery … condition, defects, damage, paintwork
  • Plaster … ceiling (plasterboard or lath and plaster?) … condition and stability
  • Plaster … walls … render and plaster or plasterboard, damage and quality of finish
  • Staining … plumbing leaks (ceiling), moisture penetration (wall openings), rising damp Fittings and ironmongery … adequacy and function, weather exclusion and security

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