The RICS HomeBuyer Report provides buyers with all the basic information they need on condition and value before they commit to purchase. 

The report is designed for most properties, including flats built since 1850 and includes comment on all visible sections of the property. It gives a simple traffic light condition rating for elements of the building so that you know where any action is required before you buy, in an easy to understand format. 

Also included is a market valuation that indicates whether the property you are buying is good value for money, plus a reinstatement cost figure for insurance purposes.

Only RICS Registered Valuers can carry out this service. JSR Consultants are RICS Registered Valuers. 

Having an RICS Home Survey, backed by the full authority of RICS, is an inexpensive way of giving you peace of mind during your property buying or selling process. 

All too often we hear of stories about 'homes from hell' where home owners have been lumbered with huge bills for work they didn't expect. Having a survey carried out by a chartered surveyor is a great way to help you ensure you're not hit with any nasty unexpected bills. 

“Having an independent comprehensive survey done by a RICS member...could save you thousands of pounds.”

- TV’s Phil Spencer, speaking on 'On The House' 

An RICS Home Survey is not to be confused with a mortgage valuation report. A mortgage valuation report will give your mortgage lender a valuation but will NOT give you a report on the condition of the building.  

According to a recent survey one in four buyers relying solely on a mortgage valuation report ended up with unplanned work in the first year amounting to an average cost of over £1,100. 

For large country houses, period cottages and older properties, a full Building Survey is essential. 

This is a detailed, in-depth, Report based upon a comprehensive inspection of the fabric of the building.

• Reports are clear and easy to read 
• They provide the fullest information on the condition of the dwelling 
• Advice relating to further repairs is also provided where required 
• Recommendations for further specialist advice are included if potential or concealed problems are suspected, such as ongoing structural movement, rot/decay and beetle attack, dampness etc.  
• Our Reports avoid the use of technical jargon 
• They provide positive and helpful advice 

Following dispatch of the Report, we will happily provide guidance and advice right up to exchange of contracts, and thereafter should the need arise. 

We can also undertake supervision of repair and alteration works. 

We can help you with the identification and analysis of specific defects and provide advice on their remedies. Some examples are given here. 

Damp - analysis of the cause of a damp problem which may be due to rising or penetrating damp, as a result of roof or chimney leaks, defective damp proof membranes or obstructed cavities to name a few. Condensation may also be present, often due to poor heating or ventilation and inadequate insulation. 

Rot - analysis of the type of decay found and assessment of the repairs and treatment required. 

Woodworm - commonly found in our area in older timbers particularly if affected by any dampness. Often this can be cured by treating and does not involve structural timber replacements, but this can be necessary in more serious attacks. 

Structural Movement - resulting in distortion and cracking of the building. This can be caused by long term changes in weather conditions or damaged drains changing the water content and condition of the underlying soil. We will investigate and advise on the correct course of action.

Roofs - high level inspections of roofs and areas hidden from ground level view to assess their condition. 

Floors - Assessment of settlement in solid ground bearing concrete floor slabs. Investigation beneath suspended timber floors to assess the efficiency of the sub floor ventilation and the condition of the timbers.  

Purchasers of new buildings, residential or commercial, may feel they do not need a full building survey, but they do require a professional person to prepare a snagging schedule when the builder offers the property as completed. 

Snagging inspections will identify the cosmetic problems as well as some of the potential defects particularly with regard to weatherproofing.

A snagging schedule is a detailed list of all the minor snags noted during the inspection, but not as deep as a full building survey in that no explanation for the defects will be given. They are pointed out merely as problems that the builder needs to resolve. 

As well as preparing the snagging schedule, we can also undertake subsequent negotiations or discussions with the builder as to the extent of any remedial works that may be appropriate.

We would always recommend that a snagging inspection is carried out on all new build residential and commercial properties.

JSR Consultants have been commissioned to carry out snagging surveys for numerous residential and commercial clients. 

We have carried out snagging surveys on New Build Houses and Flats, House Extensions, 4 & 5* Hotels, Education facilities, Public Houses, Office Buildings, and even a Cruise Ship! 

The RICS Condition Report is designed to give buyers of conventional and newer homes (houses and flats) a concise picture of their property without fault advice or a market valuation. 

The Condition Report is produced by an RICS surveyor who provides an objective opinion about the condition of the property at the time of the inspection. The Condition Report aims to tell you about:

• the construction and condition of the property on the date it was inspected; 
• any defects that need urgent attention or are serious;  
• things that need further investigation to prevent serious damage to the fabric of the building; 
• and defects or issues which may be hazardous to safety and where further enquiries are needed. 

We inspect the inside and outside of the main building and all permanent outbuildings, but we do not force or open up the fabric. We also inspect parts of the electricity, gas/oil, water heating and drainage services that can be seen, but we do not test them. 

To help describe the condition of the home, we give condition ratings to the main parts (the ‘elements’) of the building, garage and some parts outside. This is a similar system to that used in the RICS HomeBuyer Report. 

When leasing new property or leaving old premises a schedule of the condition of the property or an inspection to confirm what works are required under the terms of the lease can provide a valuable cost saving to a landlord or tenant. 

We undertake inspections and can negotiate on behalf of either party or act as a joint surveyor to undertake the provision of a report and photographs to allow all parties to agree on a satisfactory conclusion when discussing future or past repairs and the necessary costs involved in completing them. 

This service is essential to any party (tenant or landlord) entering into a lease contract of premises, commercial or residential.   

What are drone surveys?

Drone surveys are a faster, safer and more cost-efficient way to survey at height. Sometimes referred to as aerial surveys, UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) surveys, or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) surveys, drone surveys are an increasingly popular method of surveying form the air. 

For roof inspections,  or large building surveys, drones are fast becoming the sensible choice because they offer great advantages in safety and speed of access.

JSR Consultants were one of the very first UK surveying companies to realise the benefits of drone surveying. We are registered with the CAA, and all of our Drone Pilots are fully qualified and insured. 

Specialist Service from RICS Surveyors

JSR Consultants are specialists in high-level aerial building surveys and inspections on towers, chimney structures and roofs using radio controlled quadcopter drones (UAV’s).

We do work for property owners, leasehold tenants, commercial building owners, consultants, local councils and religious organisations. Our projects include residential houses, listed buildings, retail parks, churches, industrial sites, wind turbines, solar farms, towers and landmark buildings.

All of our pilots are CAA approved, and are skilled in flying aerial survey drones to get a view of those "difficult to reach” places. We can fly our drones close to the roof or building to get detailed aerial camera ultra-HD 4K video footage or 12 megapixel still aerial images.

Cost Effective Aerial Building Surveys

JSR Consultants offer a very cost effective, quick solution for UAV aerial building surveys compared to more expensive traditional methods of scaffolding, platforms, steeplejacks or hiring a cherry picker.  No one leaves the ground so you do not have to worry about the HSE - “Working at Height” health and safety regulations.

This is very useful if the roof or structure is unsound or has difficult or complex access. We can carry out high level aerial surveys from ground level to 400ft.

You can also stand with us and monitor the video on the ground in real time as we fly, so you know we are getting the exact images you are looking for.  In half a day we can cover a large surveying area.  The drones we use will fly over 25 minutes before having to land to change the battery.

We carry several spare pre-charged batteries on each survey.  It only takes a few minutes to change the battery and get back in air. So we are able to fly all day with very little disruption.

We can record images to zoom in and inspect brickwork, lightning conductors, stonework, restoration, weather vanes, roof tiles, lead work, asbestos and roof valleys, for full analysis in your own time and in your own office.

Our CAA flight planning and risk assessment will be done prior to our arrival on site, to ensure strict safety procedures and the safety of the public at the flight location. It only takes around 30 minutes to set up the drone on site for flight.

This rapid deployment will minimise any potential disruption to residents or staff, with no damage to property or surroundings.

Contact us to discuss pricing.