Thinking of purchasing a dwelling? A House Buying Survey is carried out on behalf of a would-be purchaser or a lending agency to establish the condition of a dwelling.  Its main purpose is to protect the purchaser from profound and not so obvious defects.  It is also used as a tool to have works carried out to the dwelling prior to purchase or can be used as a means to reduce the sales price.

Carrying out works to a semi-detached or terrace dwelling and want to protect yourself from bogus claims by your neighbour?  A Condition Survey is a photographic and measurement survey that records the existing and current condition of a building prior to works beginning.  This can be carried out on the building subject to works or on neighbouring or adjoining properties.  Often during works issues might arise regarding new cracks or moisture ingress to neighbouring property.  In order to establish whether these claims are legitimate it is best to have a Condition Survey carried out on that property so comparisons can be made.

Thinking of extending or renovating your dwelling or merely wish to have a set of house plans drawn up?  A Measuring Survey can be carried out detailing room sizes, window positions and heights as well as distance to boundaries.  This information can be used for many things, from those reasons listed above to getting estimates on new flooring, painting, tiling or installation of insulation.

Thinking of doing some gardening or landscaping?  A Levelling Survey can be carried out, detailing through the recording of spot levels and contours, topographical features of a property such as dips, hollows and ridges.  Other features can be recorded like the positions of trees and flower beds.  This plan can be used to position new shrubs, trees, flower and vegetable beds.  We have even known clients to used these plans as wall hangings! 

Brigid Browne is the Senior Building Surveyor with Fortress Planning and is specifically qualified in diagnosing issues with houses from crack patterns to moisture ingress.