How to Make Your Own Property Survey
Property surveys act as tools that allow homeowners, or prospective home buyers, to assess the condition of a property and determine if repairs are needed. The cost of repairing problems can be high, so it is imperative to conduct a survey prior to purchasing a property. Most lenders require that surveys be conducted by professional surveyors. However, if time does not permit, carrying out your own survey may be the only available option. If possible, you should take along a friend with electrical or building knowledge and view the property in daylight. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Start the survey in the attic and work your way down and into the yard. If you are conducting the survey in daylight, turn off the lights in the attic and look for signs of daylight, which may indicate damage to the roof. Use your flashlight to check the quality of the attic insulation, including signs of vermin.
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Check that the toilets flush and the shower and bath faucets are functional in the bathrooms. Listen for knocking sounds as the water drains, which may indicate drainage problems. Smell the air for any signs of dampness or mold, and check the walls and roof for signs of bulging, water staining or dampness. Check the quality of the grouting around the shower/bath area and faucet.
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Check that the kitchen faucets are working and that drainage is satisfactory. Ensure the hot water does not take too long to come through the system, and that the water pressure is not too low. Check the kitchen floor around the faucet for leaks, as well as the tubing linking the faucet to the drain. If kitchen appliances are included in the sale, check them for cracks and connect them to a power supply and turn them on. Get on your hands and knees and ensure that the floor is even. Check that the electrical outlets are functional with a circuit tester.
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Check that the windows open sufficiently in the living room, bedrooms and dining room and feel for signs of draft entering the property. Check for signs of mold or dampness on the walls and floor. If the property has exposed woodwork, ensure that it does not have signs of rot or woodworm, and that the lights and electrical outlets are functional. Check the roof for signs of dampness or water damage. Roofs, floors and walls should be flat with no peeling paintwork of bulges.
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Carry out similar checks in the basement as in the attic. Check for signs of vermin, draft, flooding or dampness. The basement is the area of house most prone to dampness and flooding, so use your flashlight to check corners for signs of water damage or recent repair. Check the stability of the roof and look for visible cracks or bulges.
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Ensure that any outdoor lighting is functional and that it is safely connected to an outdoor electrical supply and that none of the wires are exposed. Use a step ladder to check that gutters are well supported and drainage points are clear from blockages.
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Tips & Warnings
If possible, arrange to view the property in daylight and in rainy conditions. This will best allow you to determine the roof condition.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
