Building Survey (formerly called a Full Structural Survey):

A Building Survey provides a detailed and full picture of a residential property. It is tailored to the client's individual requirements. The report includes extensive technical information on construction and materials as well as details of the whole range of defects, major to minor.

This type of survey is in fact rarely used in Scotland, partly because of the speed at which house purchase normally takes place here. The owner of the property is unlikely to allow a building survey to be undertaken, as it does involve some limited disturbance to the building, unless there is a limited market for the property and a very strong interest has been expressed by a possible buyer.

The report is most suited for very old, unusual or individual types of property in which a buyer has expressed an especial interest. eg Country Mansion, Castle etc

This is a very detailed report: the inspection takes several hours and may involve disturbance to the building itself. The surveyor may recommend specialist reports for say drainage, electrical systems, central heating and timber diseases. The report may entail the need for input from other professional services and trades which can be time consuming and also makes the cost uncertain at the point of instruction.

Some restrictions may still exist to prevent complete inspection (such as fitted floor coverings, limited roof access), but within these limitations the survey will be complete.

The Building Survey is considerably more expensive than any other type of report in recognition of the work involved. A Building Survey will not normally include a valuation which should be requested at the time of instruction if required. On receipt of your instruction one of our Surveyors will contact you to agree terms and limitations.

The "TERMS of ENGAGEMENT" FOR A BUILDING SURVEY are specifically tailored to suit the individual client and will be set out and agreed in written form between the client and Whyte & Barrie prior to the survey being carried out. They will be fully binding and contractual in their effect and will include full details as to the degree of inspection to be undertaken, headings and sub headings of the report and the fee payable on completion which may be subject to additions should further costs be incurred. (eg Cost of Drainage, Electrical, Mining Reports etc).

FEES therefore can vary considerably and are mainly dependent upon the degree of inspection to be undertaken.

Click here to instruct Whyte & Barrie