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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • How long are you at the property?
    Typically, for an average size/type home, a RICS Home Survey inspection will take approximately 2-4 hours, and a Valuation inspection will take approximately 30 minutes. This excludes research and report writing. Please note the above is a guide only and ultimately, our surveyors will spend as long as it takes to collect all the information required to provide an accurate and comprehensive report.
  • Do you look at the garden?
    Yes. The surveyor inspects the garden during a valuation commenting on aspects which may have an adverse affect on value. During a RICS Home Survey the surveyor inspects the condition of boundary walls, fences, permanent outbuildings and areas in common (shared) use. To inspect these areas, the surveyor walks around the grounds and any neighbouring public property where access can be obtained. Where there are restrictions to access (e.g. a creeper plant prevents closer inspection), these are reported and advice is given on any potential underlying risks that may require further investigation. Buildings with swimming pools and sports facilities are also treated as permanent outbuildings and are therefore inspected, but the surveyor does not report on the leisure facilities, such as the pool itself and its equipment internally or externally, landscaping and other facilities (for example, tennis courts and temporary outbuildings).
  • What valuations can you provide?
    Our RICS Registered Valuers can provide valuations for many purposes including, but not limited to: ​ Loan Security; Purchase Report; Taxation assessment (including probate/inheritance tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty land tax); Home Survey; Matrimonial; Legal proceedings (including for a court, tribunal, expert witness, dispute resolution etc); Equity purchase (Help to Buy); and Shared Ownership.
  • Do you test the services during a RICS Home Survey?
    Services are generally hidden within the construction of the property. This means that only the visible parts of the available services can be inspected, and the surveyor does not carry out specialist tests. The visual inspection cannot assess the efficiency or safety of electrical, gas or other energy sources. It also does not investigate the plumbing, heating or drainage installations (or whether they meet current regulations); or the internal condition of any chimney, boiler or other flue.
  • When is payment due?
    To guarantee your booking, we request payment upfront. However, we appreciate the cost of moving can be expensive, so providing we have received signed Terms & Conditions, we will still proceed with the instruction, but cannot release the report until payment has been received.
  • What if I have questions once I have my report back?
    This is where we excel. Customer communication is our focus and is what makes us different from most other firms. Buying a home can be very stressful, so we aim to make this step as simple, stress free and informative as possible. We appreciate a survey report can be a daunting read. Our service extends beyond a written report - contact your surveyor as many times as you need post survey, so you can make an informed confident decision as to whether to proceed with your purchase or not.
  • What’s the difference between the Level 2 (Homebuyer Survey) & Level 3 (Building Survey)?
    The table in the link below (click on the top half of the link) will help you choose the most appropriate survey, but if you have any particular requirements, remember to discuss them with us before we inspect the property. https://www.nuvensurveyors.co.uk/_files/ugd/27015f_e99da4a5f5ce4f3093879e775dc4e51c.pdf Alternatively, use our interactive questionnaire below to find out which of our RICS Home Surveys is best suited to your needs and how much it costs. You may also wish to watch this short video to help you decide...
  • How long does a valuation last? Can it be extended?
    This depends on the purpose of the valuation, and whether a third party is involved, such as Homes England (for Help to Buy Valuations). Typically, most valuations will last 3 months, but can be extended by a further 3 months by instructing us to do a 'Desktop' report, for an additional fee.
  • Do you contact the estate agent for me?
    Yes. Once instructed, we will contact the selling agent to arrange access. We will notify you every step of the way, communicating with you on a regular basis.
  • Why should I use you?
    Nuven Surveyors is a leading independent firm of Chartered Surveyors and RICS Registered Valuers. ​ Our focus is on customer communication and local knowledge - each surveyor only operates within a small area from their base, allowing them to spend more time on each instruction to ensure we can offer our customers the best possible service. WHY CHOOSE US? Local independent RICS Chartered Surveyors; Locally based surveyors highly experienced in their defined area of operation; Reports returned within 2-5 working days (24-hour turnaround on urgent cases); Typically, appointments are booked within 1-2 weeks of instruction; Surveyors provide regular communication with clients after the inspection; Simple customer experience from initial enquiry to the completion of the report; Regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); RICS Registered Valuers; and Fully Insured
  • How soon can I expect my report?
    Reports are returned within 2-5 working days (24-hour turnaround on urgent cases). Typically, we can arrange the inspection and provide the final report within 1-2 weeks from instruction (access allowing).
  • Do you go into the loft?
    Yes. Although not an industry requirement by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), it is company policy that all of our surveyors inspect the roof space, providing it is safe to do so.
  • Are you RICS registered?
    Yes. Nuven Surveyors is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The RICS are the global professional body promoting and enforcing the highest international standards in the valuation, management and development of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. All surveyors working for Nuven Surveyors are Associates, Members or Fellows of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, who are registered under the RICS Valuer Registration Scheme.
  • Are your prices including or excluding VAT?
    Any VAT due is already included in the price.
  • Is the surveyor local?
    Yes. One of our main focuses is to ensure our surveyors operate within a small radius of their base postcode. This is to ensure the surveyor understands their local market, providing the best possible advice to our clients.
  • Can you comment if I want to extend or make alterations to the property? If not, who should I ask?
    If you are planning to carry out extensive repair and refurbishment work in the future, we will provide advice on suitable additional services. Click on the image below to explore an interactive house for planning permission and building regulation information.
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