Inspection Flashcards
What is a Home Report (Single Survey)?
Level 2 Homebuyers Survey and Valuation (HSV)
What is a Scheme 1 survey?
a. Used by mortgage lenders or buyers as an alternative to a full Home Report if a property is not being marketed on the open market. A value is provided and the report will detail any defects and structural problems however it is not as thorough as a Home Report.
b. Can also be used for Buy-to-Let and New Build properties.
What is a Scheme 2 (Homebuyers) survey?
a. This is a condition report and valuation on behalf of the buyer. It can be useful for the buyer as it can outline certain items that may have been missed during the initial Home Report.
b. It acts as a ‘second opinion’ on the Home Report which has been completed by a different surveyor.
What is a Scheme 4 (Inheritance Tax) Survey?
a. This is a valuation which is calculated to the date of the landlords death
b. It is a basic condition report with a back-dated valuation figure and is not as thorough as a Home Report.
What do you need to consider before going to site to carry out an inspection?
a. Am I competent to undertake the inspection?
b. Am I properly insured?
c. Has a formal agreement between myself and the client been signed?
d. What risks do I need to consider with regards to H&S
e. What kind of survey will I be conducting?
f. Review all relevant existing building information i.e leases.
g. What equipment will I require?
How do you undertake an inspection?
a. This is personal to each surveyor
b. Personally – I start with an external inspection, walking around the accessible parts of the building to get an idea of the external condition, age, any factors which might have an affect internally i.e leaking gutters, if there are any extensions etc.
c. Moving inside; I start on the lowest floor and work in a clockwise direction and move to the upper floors in the same fashion. I check all accessible areas including rooms, storage cupboards, wardrobes etc.
- What kind of risks do you consider before carrying out an inspection?
a. Lone working
b. Asbestos
c. Accessing roofs and roof spaces at height
d. Hazards associated with derelict / empty properties
e. Confined spaces
How does a disto work, how can you check its accuracy and when is it least accurate?
a. A disto sends out a laser beam which measures the time taken for it to reflect back to the device, providing a distance.
b. We check all distos before use by measuring a known distance in the office
c. It loses accuracy over longer distances and can be ineffective to use outside due to the difficulty aiming and seeing the laser beam.
What is a Theodolite and how does it work?
a. A small mounted telescope which is rotatable and used to measure angles in horizontal and vertical planes.
What is a Hygrometer?
a. Device used to determine the amount of moisture / humidity in the air and temperature.
What is an Anenometer?
A device which measure wind speeds and pressure.
What are the key external building elements you would look at during a survey?
a. Chimney stacks
b. Roofs
c. Rainwater fittings
d. External walls
f. Boundaries
g. Windows and doors
What are the key internal building elements you would look at during a survey?
a. Ceilings
b. Internal walls
c. Flooring
d. Decorative finishes
e. Joinery and kitchen fittings
f. Plumbing and sanitary fittings
g. Heating and hot water fittings
h. Staircases
i. Windows, doors and joinery
What are some key valuable sources of occupiers information you would normally look to obtain prior to the survey?
a. Structural alteration drawings
b. Guarantees in respect of the premises or its services
c. Flooding or boundary documentation
d. Water hygiene and legionella reports
e. Planning and building control applications and approvals
f. Asbestos registers
g. Radon tests and high alumina cement tests (Cement containing Bauxite)
What precautions would you take if you were inspecting a flat roof with a stepped ladder on your own?
a. I would consider the height of the roof. If it was more than a single storey or 3m I would arrange alternative access.
b. If using a ladder; it must be able to be placed at an angle of 70 degrees and allow the surveyor to inspect the roof without standing on the top four rungs.
