Services

At Dundas, we understand that every property is unique. Our unique specialism is pre-purchase surveys which cater to the age, condition, and specific requirements of your potential property.

Choose from three comprehensive levels of service:

  • Suitable for new-builds, properties in excellent condition, and where you have no concerns. Limited content, advice and photos.

  • Also known as:

    Home Survey, Homebuyers Survey, Condition Survey. Standard Survey. Suitable for modern and/or good condition homes. Most flats.

    The most common survey type, includes checks of all elements and of a handful of specific concerns you may have. Includes basic check of communal area for flats.

  • Also known as: Building Survey, Full Structural, Full Survey.

    Suitable for older homes (pre 1930), complex construction, or where maintenance has been neglected for some time.


    A much more detailed assessment of all areas that can be reasonably accessed as well as advice on maintenance, potential hidden defects, how to remedy issues found, and approximate costings or measurements on request.

These are condition surveys which at present do not include a valuation of the property. There are companies that can provide this remotely if required, or if you are obtaining a mortgage then it is likely your lender will be conducting their own valuation which you should query if unsure. 

Pricing

  • 1. The Service
    The company provides Home Surveys and Building Surveys in line with Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) Survey Inspection & Reporting Standards Edition 1 v5.2 (‘The service’), unless you and the company agree in writing before the inspection that the surveyor will provide extra services. Any extra service will require separate terms of engagement to be entered into with the company.
    Examples of extra services include:
    • Plan drawing
    • Schedule of works
    • Re-inspection
    • Detailed specific issue reports
    • Market valuation and re-instatement cost
    • Negotiation

    2. The Surveyor
    The service is to be provided by an RICS, RPSA member or similar who has the skills, knowledge and experience to survey and report on the property.

    3. Before the Inspection This period forms an important part of the relationship between you and the company. The commissioned surveyor will use reasonable endeavours to contact you regarding your particular concerns about the property and explain (where necessary) the extent and/or limitations of the inspection and report. The surveyor also carries out a desk-top study to understand the property better.

    4. Terms of Payment You agree to pay the survey fee prior to the inspection date. Compensation for debt recovery costs will be sought under the Late Payment legislation if an invoice is not paid according to these agreed credit terms.

    5. Cancelling this Contract You are entitled to cancel this contract by giving notice to info@dundasbuildingsurveying.com 72 hours before the time of the survey. The company does not have to provide the service (and reports this to you as soon as possible) if, after arriving at the property, the surveyor decides that: a) He or she lacks enough specialist knowledge of the method of construction used to build the property; or b) It would be in your best interests to have a survey format than has been agreed; or c) The surveyor decides it is not in the company’s or your best interest to proceed for any reasonable reason. If you cancel this contract by the specified deadline, the company will refund any money you have paid for the service, except for any reasonable expenses. If the company cancels this contract, they will explain the reason to you.

    6. Liability
    The report is provided for your use, and the company cannot accept responsibility if it is used, or relied upon, by anyone else. For a breach of contract or a duty of care relating to a defect, the maximum damages you claim will not exceed 4 times the price of the report purchased. 7. Complaints Handling Procedure If you feel any part of the Company’s service falls short, please describe the issue in detail and your preferred means of resolution to Info@DundasBuildingSurveying.com
    An investigation will take place and you will receive a decision within 14 days. The Surveyor reserves the right to re-visit the property to aid the investigation.

    8. Controlling Your Personal Information You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information, please advise by email if you wish to request this. If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time and can contact us to let us know or unsubscribe at any time for any marketing email we may send you by clicking the unsubscribe link. We hold your data for 3 months after which it is deleted unless you have asked us otherwise or you have instructed us to carry out a Survey on your behalf. We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties.

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 FAQs

  • We can carry out surveys in South-West England including the postcode areas of Gloucester, Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Salisbury and South Devon from Exeter City through to Plymouth City.

    Our surveys are carried out by one of our 4 local surveyors who have in-depth knowledge of their areas.

  • This depends on both the property as well as how detailed you would like the information to be.

    Please call for no obligation advice and to talk through any concerns you have with the property you are purchasing.

    Level 1 is a basic check and most suited to new builds.

    Level 2 is suitable for most properties as it is in-depth enough to give you a clear idea of the property condition and any work that needs to be done, along with checking a handful of any specific concerns you may have. This is also suitable for most flats.

    Level 3 is best for older properties / complex construction / neglected maintenance. This is also the best report if you want a detailed check of all possible areas or have concerns regarding the overall condition of the property.

  • The main difference is in the level of detail and advice provided, therefore time spent both at the property and during the editing and follow-up phases.

    If the property seems fine or is a flat then most likely a Level 2 will be fine, though if the property is older or you have concerns then a Level 3 is recommended.

    A detailed table can be found on this page outlining what is or is not included with each level of survey.

  • We aim to keep the lead-time down to 2 to 3 weeks.

    Please call to check availability in your area as we may have a cancellation space available.

  • We will ask for you to provide by email: Property full address, selling agent, purchase price, you full name / address / email / phone number, level of survey you would like and any specific concerns you have.

  • Yes the survey can be cancelled or postponed up to 72 hours prior to the visit, this is to allow us time to rearrange another survey for the vacant day.

  • We aim to email the report to you within 2 working days of the visit. On rare occasions when workload is high this can take up to a maximum of a week, though we can discuss the main points with you over the phone to inform you of the main points discovered.

  • An invoice will be issued with the report which can be paid by bank transfer or credit card. If you wish to pay by credit card please let us know as the invoice is then raised from another system.

  • If you are obtaining a mortgage then your lender is likely to be conducting their own valuation which you should query. Alternatively there are companies that provide remote valuations if required. There are also many general practice surveyors who can supply services such as party wall negotiations / agreements and project management, as well as structural engineers who can assess specific issues such as severe cracking or movement. Feel free to let us know what you need and we will try and get you in touch with the most relevant professional in your area.

  • The Terms of Engagement are outlined below and may contain the answer to any questions you might have that are not covered here. If not, please feel free to call or email and we will be happy to help.

    Your survey will be carried out by one of our two surveyors who are both experienced & qualified.

    Work is covered by Professional Indemnity insurance and Public Liability insurance.

    Your booking and queries will be answered by Lauren.