At Farnworth Rose, our expert conveyancing solicitors are regularly asked by clients whether they need a survey when buying a home.The short answer to this is always 'yes'. If you're in the process of buying a home, getting a survey is vital to make sure the property you are buying is in the right condition.However, research has found:

• Over 7 million UK home owners have taken a serious financial risk by choosing not to have a survey carried out on their property
• 13 million home owners needed to carry out unexpected building work on their home
• 56% of people who carried out major work said being aware of the work would have affected their decision to buy

So why are so few homebuyers carrying out the necessary checks? And how can you make sure you avoid nasty surprises after buying your dream home?

Can you rely on a mortgage valuation?

If you require a mortgage, your lender will carry out a mortgage valuation on the property. Research has shown that 3.6 million buyers believed that their mortgage valuation could replace a survey.However, the aim of a mortgage valuation is to protect the lender. They will carry out their own valuation of the property and will usually only make note of any major works which could affect the property's value.Relying solely on a mortgage valuation of your property is a significant risk.

What if you're buying a new build home?

Even if you are buying a new build home, it is still vital to get a survey before completing the purchase.You can take out a New-Build Snagging Survey which will look for specific faults which occur in new build properties.

What about the cost?

When planning on buying a home we would always advise you to budget for all aspects of your move, including a survey.Remember that getting the right survey could save you thousands of pounds. Adverse or uncalculated report findings may allow you to renegotiate the price or pull out of the purchase all together.

Get the most out of your survey

There are a number of different surveys available to homebuyers. The survey you need will vary according to the condition and age of the property you are buying.It is always helpful to speak family and friends for recommendations for a surveyor in your local area.Speak to your surveyor and don't be afraid to ask about their qualifications or any references they have.

Contact the dedicated team at Farnworth Rose today

To find out how our dedicated conveyancing solicitors can help with the legal aspects of your purchase, contact Farnworth Rose today.You can call us on 01282 695 400, or simply click the button below to receive your free online conveyancing quote.