Instructing someone to complete a house survey is essential for investing in a new house. It provides you with reassurance that the house you?re purchasing is in good shape and worth everything you?ve offered.
You may have seen the terms ?RICS surveyor?, ?chartered surveyor? and just plain, old ?surveyor? thrown around if you?ve been exploring the idea of home surveys.
The difference between these titles is in relation to RICS, the governing body. Chartered surveyors are registered with RICS, whereas surveyors aren?t.
This short article will explain the differences between your two and the advantages of hiring a RICS registered chartered surveyor.
What?s the difference between a chartered surveyor and a surveyor?
Click here chartered surveyor is registered with RICS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This implies they have completed specific qualifications highly relevant to the field, had at the very least 2 yrs? worth of in-field work experience, and also have been independently assessed for professional competence. Moreover, they?ll need to regularly keep up to date with training and professional development courses.
By contrast, a typical surveyor isn?t necessarily regulated. Anyone can legally call themselves a surveyor and begin carrying out work inspecting homes and providing reports based on their findings ? even though they have no experience whatsoever. Having said that, some surveyors are members of alternative professional bodies, such as for example TSA-UK.
We?re not saying that all standard surveyors are unqualified or inexperienced. Some may do a fantastic job. However, the lack of regulation from RICS means it?s always a higher risk. Reports may also come in any format, whereas RICS surveyors will always send you documents based on the governing body?s professional standards.
What are the benefits of instructing a RICS surveyor?
Compared to a typical surveyor, instructing a RICS surveyor comes with several benefits:
Reassurance ? the main benefit of instructing a RICS surveyor is the reassurance it offers in the things we?ve listed below.
Background checks ? RICS members are intensely vetted to ensure customer protection.
Qualifications ? all chartered surveyors are qualified in specific RICS-approved degrees highly relevant to surveying.
Experience ? all RICS surveyors must have completed at least two years of training before earning the title ?chartered surveyor?.
Standardised surveys ? RICS members should conduct surveys to the same base degrees of competence and skill regardless of who or where they're. RICS surveys and valuations all involve precisely the same framework in the united states.
Standardised reports ? when Homepage fills out their report following the inspection, RICS chartered surveyors work from a standard template. This ensures everything is easy to read and easy to understand.
Professional insurance ? when calling a RICS surveyor out to a home you?re potentially thinking about, you can be sure they?re included in professional insurance (which comes with a RICS membership).
RICS surveyors come with all of the above benefits compared to a standard surveyor. A surveyor will come with some or all of these, nevertheless, you should conduct background checks of your to double-check everything.

You can check in case a chartered surveyor is registered with RICS here.
What RICS home surveys are available?
At GB Home Surveys, we conduct the three hottest RICS home surveys. These are:
Valuation ? a valuation is really a simple market estimate of a house?s value.
Home Survey Level 2 ? this home survey is really a general inspection of a property. The chartered surveyor will note any defects and may estimate repair costs for an optional extra fee. Consider a Level 2 RICS home survey for most traditional homes in good conditions.
Home Survey Level 3 ? probably the most specialised survey currently available, Level 3, includes an in-depth inspection of a building?s structural integrity. It?s best for historic buildings, barn conversions, cottages, or properties in disrepair.