PH Home Surveys

Please use my contact details or the form below to get in touch and let me know the details of the property that you'd like inspecting. 

We can have a chat about why you'd like the property inspecting, your plans for the property and any particular areas of concern you'd like me to have a look at for you. 

I can then provide a quote for the cost of the survey for you to consider and confirmation of when I could potentially carry out the survey if you did go ahead.

If you're happy with the quote I'll send out the paperwork (usually by email) comprising my terms and conditions, a payment invoice and comprehensive details about how the survey will be carried out.

Once payment is received I'll arrange to visit the property as soon as possible.

I'll carry out all of the required research before I visit the property checking for flood risk, planning permission applications and building regulation submissions etc.

On the day of the survey I'll typically spend around three to five hours at the property carrying out a thorough inspection. 

Full details of our inspection process can be found in the seventeen page RPSA document below - "Setting the standards in residential surveying - Survey Inspection and Reporting Standards".

I'll send out, usually by email, a copy of your full survey report within two working days in most cases.

Once you've had time to read through and consider the contents I'll be very happy to answer any questions you may have either by email or over the phone.

In my Home Survey report, generally designed for simpler or more modern properties, I include everything you’ll find in a standard RICS HomeBuyer Report (also known as a Level 2 Report). I also provide a number of annotated photographs to make it really clear to you what condition the property is in and I offer additional advice where appropriate, including any possible environmental issues.

• I aim to identify any visible problems with the property
• Anything that needs to be investigated further by a specialist. Examples of this would be if there is evidence of ongoing structural movement I would flag this up and advise a report be obtained from a Structural Engineer or if there were high levels of damp when tested I would advise a specialist Timber and Damp report be obtained etc.
• Anything dangerous to you or your family

• The inspection is non-invasive - I carefully inspect the inside and outside of the main building and all permanent outbuildings but I cannot not use force or open up the structure. This means that I cannot take up carpets, floor coverings or floorboards, move furniture, remove the contents of cupboards, roof spaces, etc. or remove secured panels and/or hatches 
• If necessary, I will carry out parts of the external inspection when standing at ground level from public property where accessible. I may use equipment such as a damp-meter, binoculars and torch, and may use a ladder for flat roofs and for hatches no more than three metres above level ground (outside) or floor surfaces (inside) if it is safe to do so
• I will endeavour to inspect roof spaces where it is safe and practical to do so (I always try to do this where possible) however, I reserve the right to make a judgement decision on site about the roof space and to not inspect it if it is not possible to gain safe access, or where full access is not possible due to other factors, for example a heavy wardrobe beneath the hatch

• 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 I cannot carry out specialist tests. If I am unsure of the safety / condition of services such as electrical, gas or drain installations from what I can see I may suggest a specialist report be obtained
• The visual inspection cannot assess the efficiency or safety of electrical, gas or other utilities; plumbing, heating or drainage installations (or whether they meet current regulations); or the inside condition of any chimney, boiler or other flue. I will offer recommendations as to further inspection if I feel this is required

• I inspect the condition of boundary walls, fences, permanent outbuildings and areas in common (shared) use
• To inspect these areas, I walk around the grounds and any neighbouring public property where access can be obtained

It is very important to remember that any survey is a snapshot of the visible condition of the property as seen through the experienced eye of the surveyor, subject to the limitations and restrictions imposed by a non-intrusive survey, as it is at the time and day of inspection and it is not a warranty for the property - all any surveyor can do is report on what they can see and cannot be held responsible for hidden defects if there is no visible reason to suspect any such defect exists.

In my Building Survey report, a survey designed for older or more complex properties, I include everything you’ll find in my Home Survey Report but the Building Survey (also known as a Level 3 survey) would generally take longer due to the more complex nature of the property and would go into more detail of any issues found in the report, including suggestions as to how these issues may be resolved.

As the building survey is a very bespoke product I do not have a set price plan. Building surveys usually begin at £650.00. Please contact me for a quote.

I cover Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Ramsbottom, Haslingden, Darwen, Blackburn, Accrington, Chorley, Horwich, Westhoughton, Atherton, Leigh, Radcliffe, Whitefield, Prestwich, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bramhall, Cheadle,  Stockport, Eccles and Middleton as per the map to the left. 

To provide the best service I generally work within areas I am familiar with myself, having visited or worked there in the past.

I think this local knowledge can often be very important in providing a quality, informed appraisal of a property.