Property Surveys for Property Developers

For most development acquisitions, we recommend a RICS Level 3 Building Survey. This is the most comprehensive pre-purchase survey available and covers the full structure, fabric and services of the existing building in depth. It will identify structural defects, damp, rot, asbestos risk, drainage issues and any unauthorised alterations that could affect your plans. If the site includes a period property, a listed building or a property in poor condition, the Level 3 is essential. For cleared sites with no buildings, a different type of assessment such as a geotechnical survey may be more appropriate, and we can advise on what is needed.

Yes. Our measured building surveys produce accurate floor plans, elevations and cross-sections that architects and structural engineers can use as the basis for planning applications, building regulations drawings and detailed construction drawings. We work to a specification agreed with you and your design team, so the output is exactly what your professionals need. We can also incorporate topographical information and drainage layouts if required.

A building condition survey, sometimes called a schedule of condition, records the condition of neighbouring properties and surrounding structures before you start construction work. This is important because if a neighbour later claims that your development caused cracking, settlement or other damage, you have an independent, professional record of what the property looked like before you started. This can be the difference between a successful defence and an expensive settlement. Many planning authorities now require these as a condition of approval, and they are standard good practice for any development in a built-up area.

We understand that acquisition timelines in development can be extremely tight, especially in a competitive market. While our standard booking window is 3 to 5 working days, we can often accommodate urgent requests within 48 hours depending on surveyor availability. Call us directly rather than using the contact form if the matter is genuinely urgent, and we will do everything we can to fit you in. We would always rather you asked than assumed we could not help.

Very much so. A Level 3 Building Survey that identifies defects, necessary remedial works and estimated repair costs gives you concrete evidence to support a price renegotiation. Sellers are often unaware of the true condition of their property, and a professional survey report carries far more weight than a buyer's opinion. Many developers recover the cost of the survey many times over through the negotiation leverage it provides.

Yes, we regularly inspect tenanted properties, HMOs and properties with multiple occupants. We are experienced at working around tenants' schedules and being respectful of their homes while carrying out a thorough inspection. We will need the owner or managing agent to arrange access in the usual way. For complex multi-unit properties, we may need to schedule the inspection over more than one visit, and we will advise on this when we provide your quote.