INDEPENDENT ARTICLES, CLEAR INSIGHTS, STRAIGHTFORWARD ADVICE FOR INFORMED PROPERTY DECISIONS.
What should I do when I receive my Level 3 Survey?
Receiving your Level 3 Survey can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s detailed (and it should be). The key is to treat it as a decision tool and a risk management plan, not a list of everything that’s “wrong”. Below is a structured, practical way to work through your...
What sets our Schedule of Condition reports apart
A Schedule of Condition report is only valuable if it can be relied upon later—when memories have faded, emotions may be running high, and decisions need to be made quickly and fairly. The difference between an average report and an excellent one is rarely the number...
What’s right for me: a Level 2 Survey or a Level 3 Survey?
The right choice comes down to one thing: how much uncertainty you can comfortably carry into the purchase. A Level 2 Survey is usually the best fit for a conventional property in reasonable condition, where you want a thorough visual check, clear priorities, and...
What parts of the property does a Level 3 Survey cover?
A Level 3 Survey (often called a Building Survey) is designed to cover as much of the property as is physically accessible on the day, with a careful inspection of the inside and outside of the main building, plus permanent outbuildings. It’s a whole-property...
What parts of the property does a Level 2 Survey cover?
A Level 2 Survey (typically the RICS Home Survey – Level 2) is designed to give a professional, objective view of the condition of the main elements of a property. It involves a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services, and the grounds, but it...
What makes a good Schedule of Condition report?
A good Schedule of Condition report is one you can rely on months later if a question arises: “Was this crack, stain, or defect already there?” The best reports are clear, methodical, and evidential—written in a way that makes disputes less likely and resolution...
What is the purpose of a Schedule of Condition report?
The purpose of a Schedule of Condition report is to create a clear, objective record of a property’s visible condition at a specific point in time—most commonly before nearby building works, access arrangements, or other potentially disruptive activity begins. It...
What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is law within England & Wales that sets out a practical, step-by-step process for carrying out certain types of building work close to, on, or affecting a shared wall or boundary. Its main purpose is to reduce the risk of neighbour...
What is an ex parte Party Wall Award?
An ex parte Party Wall Award is an Award made in the absence of one party’s participation—most commonly where the adjoining owner (or their surveyor) fails to engage with the statutory process. The phrase ex parte is a practical description used in the industry to...