With the introduction of Home Information Packs and Home Condition Reports house buying is being revolutionised! This second book in the series of four, following Inspections and Reports on Dwellings: Assessing Age, covers the entire field of inspecting dwellings, from ascertaining the clients’ requirements, setting the instructions by way of agreeing the Conditions of Engagement for any one of the five types of report envisaged as being covered by the series, to the physical inspection itself. Desirable attributes in the surveyor are discussed – qualifications, necessary insurance cover, both in respect of liability for his work and his own person, together with his fees. Court cases determining the scope and level of inspection are given full consideration and there is a concentration on ascertaining, particularly in regard to age, the materials and forms of construction that make up each part of a dwelling, the structure, finishes, services and surroundings and its condition, all by means of sight, sound, feel and smell.

With the introduction of Home Information Packs and Home Condition Reports house buying is being revolutionised! This second book in the series of four, following Inspections and Reports on Dwellings: Assessing Age, covers the entire field of inspecting dwellings, from ascertaining the clients' requirements, setting the instructions by way of agreeing the Conditions of Engagement for any one of the five types of report envisaged as being covered by the series, to the physical inspection itself. Desirable attributes in the surveyor are discussed - qualifications, necessary insurance cover, both in respect of liability for his work and his own person, together with his fees. Court cases determining the scope and level of inspection are given full consideration and there is a concentration on ascertaining, particularly in regard to age, the materials and forms of construction that make up each part of a dwelling, the structure, finishes, services and surroundings and its condition, all by means of sight, sound, feel and smell. *Contains 350 colour photographs *Relates defects to age and all types of construction *Second in the series of four

With the introduction of Home Information Packs and Home Condition Reports house buying is being revolutionised! This second book in the series of four, following Inspections and Reports on Dwellings: Assessing Age, covers the entire field of inspecting dwellings, from ascertaining the clients’ requirements, setting the instructions by way of agreeing the Conditions of Engagement for any one of the five types of report envisaged as being covered by the series, to the physical inspection itself. Desirable attributes in the surveyor are discussed – qualifications, necessary insurance cover, both in respect of liability for his work and his own person, together with his fees. Court cases determining the scope and level of inspection are given full consideration and there is a concentration on ascertaining, particularly in regard to age, the materials and forms of construction that make up each part of a dwelling, the structure, finishes, services and surroundings and its condition, all by means of sight, sound, feel and smell.

Inspections and Reports on Dwellings is a three-volume series that comprehensively explores the process of independent professional home assessment required for the purchase of residential property. This fully updated second edition of Inspecting retains a focus on the needs of the surveyor to recognise and interpret the significance of observations on site, whilst updating the market context within which surveyors and valuers are operating. Inspecting includes a consideration of the important benchmarking by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) of three distinct survey service levels for independent surveyors and a review of the wider choice of survey options professional surveyors can now offer to potential clients in addition to the RICS Home Survey range. There is additional content on preparing for the inspection and on reporting, and there are expanded or completely new sections on a variety of subjects such as conservatories, renewable energy technologies, and innovative techniques and forms of construction. With over 500 colour illustrations and an enhanced structure, the new edition reflects the very latest approach to inspecting and reporting on services, risk and legal matters. This book is essential reading for all those engaged in inspecting dwellings, whether experienced, newly qualified or studying for appropriate qualifications to become members of professional institutions.

A training manual for home inspectors to conduct electrical inspections, a reference to relevant sections of the National Electrical Code, and a history of selected code items

This new edition of Reporting for Buyers provides guidance for the surveyor on setting out the findings of the inspection in a clear, unambiguous and unequivocal way. The book provides a full, critical look at the current situation, describing the various types of report currently available to the public for commissioning. The limitations and attributes of these reports are discussed and their respective forms of advice considered in detail, together with the advice provided to buyers which is a legal requirement to Scotland. The authors stress the need for Surveyors to demonstrate their all-round abilities by putting themselves in their client’s shoes to provide advice appropriate to their needs and requirements. In doing so they set out a cogent criticism of the standardised forms of advice offered to buyers and the lack of transparency in how they are presented by comparing what is seen by the client and what is set out in the various guidelines available. Surveyors will find the site notes and sample reports invaluable in demonstrating how the same dwelling can be described in the reports available. Sample reports include: mortgage valuation report RICS Condition Report RPSA Home Condition Survey Scottish Single Survey and the RICS Home Buyer Report. This book is intended for all those engaged in inspecting and reporting on dwellings, whether experienced , newly qualified or studying for appropriate qualifications to become members of professional institutions. It will also be found useful to conveyancing solicitors acting for lenders.

Inspections and Reports on Dwellings is a series of four books, the first three of which have already been published to considerable success. This concluding book covers reports prepared before dwellings are put on the market for sale, whether as a legal requirement or on a voluntary basis. All take into account guidelines laid down by the Courts for this type of work. Sellers’ surveys are not new, but only now have standard formats been developed. In England and Wales this is the Home Condition Report, with its Energy Performance Certificate, which can only be prepared by Licensed Home Inspectors. The Home Inspectors hold a Diploma in Home Inspection, sometimes with an add-on Certificate in Valuation of Residential Property for Secured Lending and they are members of a Government approved certification scheme. In Scotland each dwelling must have a Single Survey Report carried out before it goes on the market from 1 December 2008. The Single Survey Report describes the condition, sets out accessibility information, contains a valuation and energy reports. Initially only Chartered Surveyors will be authorised to do this work. Both Inspectors and Surveyors have to follow Codes of Conduct and Practice, carry professional indemnity insurance and allow their reports to be monitored to maintain standards – an entirely new concept. The book examines the relevant legislation and looks closely at the entire qualification and certification process for Home Inspector Valuers. Additionally the likely reaction of sellers, buyers and lenders are discussed. A substantial section is devoted to lending on dwellings and the practicalities of their valuation by the Comparative, Investment and Residual methods following the requirements of the ‘Red Book’. Four detailed sample reports are included to demonstrate how reports must be presented. The book is intended for all those engaged in the preparation of reports on dwellings whether experienced, newly qualified or studying. As well as being an essential book for surveyors it will also be of considerable interest to solicitors and estate agents, particularly those based in Scotland. The authors, experienced Chartered Surveyors, have written extensively on the diagnosis of defects in dwellings and are joint authors of the successful EG Books publication The Repair and Maintenance of Houses, 2nd edn.