Do I need a building survey for a Victorian period property?

ZFN
Oct 18
4 min read

ZFN CHARTERED SURVEYORS

T : 020 7862 6363

While not legally required, a building survey is a prudent person’s safeguard. It’s the most in-depth survey available, making it perfect for those who have set their sights on old, unusual, or large buildings.

Today, we’re steering away from new builds and standard homes and instead focusing on building surveys for period property refurbishments.

Victorian properties are an attractive option for young couples, established families, and retirees alike, but the interior could spell disaster for your bank balance. That’s why it’s important to get expert advice. For most properties over 50 years old, this means a building survey.

What is a building survey?

A building survey, also known as a property inspection or structural survey, is an in-depth look into the condition of the property. This includes the structure and overall integrity, as well as existing or potential issues, repairs, and defects.

This type of survey offers insight into your future, highlighting potential liabilities before they become expensive repairs.

Our Bespoke Building Survey

Think of our Bespoke Building Survey as a more flexible, personalised alternative to a Level 3 Building Survey. In other words, it guarantees the most in-depth health check possible.

We assess the structural integrity of the property and highlight issues that need immediate or urgent attention to give you an idea of how much the property might cost you. And with our flexible report style, there is ample room to discuss any additional issues that other chartered surveyors might neglect.

Our Defects Only survey

This is a bespoke survey for refurbished or new-build properties designed to assess one or more specific suspected or existing problems, including the condition and structure of the building.

Are building surveys a legal requirement?

No, there is no law that states you have to book a building survey. However, this survey offers an insight into future expenses you might face, making it a shrewd way to protect your investment.

It’s especially wise to book a survey for a Victorian period property or period property refurbishment. For the latter, it all depends on the quality of the refurbishment. Sometimes, these refurbishments are undertaken by property developers who cover serious faults for a quick turnaround and profit.

I’m about to buy a refurbished Victorian property, should I book a Bespoke Building Survey?

Yes! We recommend a Bespoke Building Survey for any property over 50 years old — a group that includes flats, maisonettes, and townhouses from the Victorian, Georgian, and Edwardian time periods.

A refurbished Victorian property might have a list of issues that you need to understand before completion day. To make informed decisions about your money, living conditions, and the health and safety of your family, you need to book a survey.

Benefits of a building survey for a refurbished Victorian property

There’s a reason we recommend booking a building survey for your Victorian period property — actually, there are a few.

Ensure structural integrity: Our Bespoke Building Survey is detailed enough to assess whether your dream home is structurally sound. If the survey finds that the property is not structurally sound, it’s a small price to pay to save yourself hundreds of thousands of pounds and unimaginable levels of stress.
Spot defects: A survey can highlight minor and major defects, meaning you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
Estimate repair costs: Not only will our Bespoke Building Survey highlight defects, but it will also estimate the repair costs. This is especially important for a Victorian period property that is old enough to have significant underlying issues.
Negotiate a better overall price: If structural issues and safety hazards come to light, you can renegotiate the overall price of the property. A full-scale survey arms you with the necessary information to get the best deal possible.
Peace of mind: Your dream Victorian property might look like it's straight out of a glossy magazine, but you never know what is lying underneath the surface. Unless, of course, you book a survey. With all faults and potential costs laid bare, you can stop worrying about future problems and instead focus on solutions.

Victorian property case studies

We carried out a Defects Only Survey on a property in Hackney. The refurbishment was completed to a good standard, but we still uncovered high levels of damp in the rear and extended parts of the kitchen. Upon further inspection, we found the culprit: an incorrectly installed downpipe was causing rainwater ingress.

Remember, even if a period property refurbishment looks good, there may still be underlying issues. Not convinced? You can read more case studies on our website.

How much is a building survey?

The cost of a building survey ranges from £550 to £2,000 and depends on many factors, including:

Age
Size
Value
Location

Things home buyers should look out for

Here are some checks you may want to complete before committing to a building survey.

Ask the estate agent who the seller is. Are they a private developer, or the previous occupier/owner? If the former, you can ask to view their other completed and occupied properties.
For recently converted/extended spaces, check if the relevant building control and planning permission consents are in place.
If the property is newly built and you are the first occupier, check if there is a New Build Warranty Scheme in place and read about specific exclusions.

ZFN Chartered Surveyors for RICS regulated building surveys

Hoping to buy a Victorian period property? For a realistic look at your expenses, you should book our Bespoke Building Survey.

We have been surveying refurbished properties since 2009, and are uniquely placed to give you insight, peace of mind, and personal support. Contact our team via WhatsApp, phone, or enquiry form to get the ball rolling.