2. Q. What does a Building Surveyor do? A.Building Surveyors provide professional advice on property and construction. Commercial Industrial Leisure Agricultural Residential

3. Q. What typical activities do Building Surveyors carry out? A. Advise on various aspects of buildings at all the different stages of its lifespan. Large Small New Old

4. Q. What does this include? Prepare designs. Advise on energy efficiency, environmental impact and sustainable construction. Prepare documents for tender. Ensure projects are completed to schedule. Preventative measures to maintain buildings. Determine the condition of existing buildings. Identify and analyse defects.

5. Q. What aspects does this include? Advise on the preservation/conservation of historic buildings. Advise on the management, supervision and maintenance of buildings. Submit planning applications and advise on property legislation and building regulations. Assess and design buildings to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

6. Q. What aspects does this include? Advise on the health and safety of buildings. Advise on boundary, rights of light disputes and party wall procedures. Prepare insurance assessments and claims. Home Buying Surveys Prepare Valuations

7. Q. How can all of this be summarised? A. A Building Surveyor is like a House Doctor.

8. Q. Which body governs Building Surveyors? A. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. (Founded c.1792) “Behaving ethically is at the heart of what it means to be a professional; it distinguishes professionals from others in the marketplace.”

9. Q. How do I choose a Surveyor? A. The RICS website........ www.rics.org/uk On this page you can use the search facility ‘Find a surveying firm’

10. Q. Which company should I choose? A. A company of ‘Chartered Surveyors’ or ‘Chartered Valuation Surveyors’. Q. Do all Chartered Surveyors carry out House Surveys and Valuations? A. No. These are specialisms that not all surveying practices undertake.

11. Q. Does it matter where the company is based? A. Not really....... Within reason a surveyor would expect to have to travel to the buildings on which they are working.

12. Q. How can a surveyor help with a house purchase? A. Carry out one of three types of House Survey. RICS Condition Report RICS Homebuyer’s Report RICS Building Survey

13. RICS Condition Report Shows the condition of the property, offers guidance to legal advisors and highlights any urgent defects. Typically the lowest priced of the surveys, it is aimed at conventional properties and newer homes. Approximate Cost: £200 - £300

14. RICS Homebuyer’s Report Includes all the features of the RICS Condition Report, plus a market valuation and insurance rebuild costs. It also includes advice on defects that may affect the value of the property with repairs, and maintenance advice. Approximate Cost: £300 - £400

15. RICS Building Survey Essential for larger or older properties, or if you are planning major works. A comprehensive report provides you with an in-depth analysis of the property's condition. Includes advice on defects, repairs and maintenance. Approximate Cost: £500 - £700

16. Q. Does the RICS provide any information on Home Surveys? A. Yes. RICS Home Surveys Information Sheet. Free download from their website. http://www.rics.org/Global/Downloads/ RICS_Home_surveys_information_sheet _2011.pdf

17. Q. What is a Compulsory Purchase Order? A. It is a legal function in the UK that allows certain bodies which need to obtain land or property to do so without the consent of the owner. This includes if a town council wishes to develop a town centre.

18. Q. Does the Government provide any information on compulsory purchasing? A. Yes. Compulsory purchase and Compensation booklet 1: Compulsory Purchase Procedure.