KSA Consulting Engineers Limited

Building Survey Conditions of Engagement

 

Client:                                      ....................................

 

Property address :                 ....................................

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These Conditions of Engagement describe the terms under which we will be employed and the services we will provide.

 

Our fee quotation for carrying out the survey and preparing the report (including expenses) is £            plus VAT.

 

We will make the necessary arrangements to inspect the property, in a timely manner, from the contact details which you provide.  

 

The Survey will be limited to the main fabric of the building structure and to principle garages or outhouses. Extensive outbuildings. prefabricated or temporary structures are specifically excluded from the survey. The Survey will not cover additional constructions such as tennis courts, swimming pools, saunas or other leisure facilities.

 

The Survey will largely be based on a visual inspection.  A Protimeter damp meter will be used to test for rising and penetrating dampness.  Measurements may be made with a tape or electronic distance measurer.

 

All reasonably accessible parts of the property will be inspected.

 

The survey will not include a detailed assessment of the central heating systems, below ground drainage systems , gas and electrical supplies, or water supplies. General advice may be given where it is considered necessary, based on a visual inspection of the equipment. We can arrange detailed tests on these services by specialist companies on your behalf, if required.  The costs of such tests will be invoiced directly to you by the companies involved.

 

Unless we are specifically instructed to arrange for trial holes to be excavated, we will not expose the building foundations, the material beneath any ground floor slabs, or any below ground services.  Neither will we be able to comment on potential contaminated land, potential migrating landfill gasses or radon gas.  Details on the ground conditions below the site may be provided from published geological maps if this is considered to be relevant to the stability of the property.

 

No investigation will be made concerning the use of asbestos, high alumina cement concrete, concrete additives such as calcium chloride, or any other deleterious materials, unless specifically requested.

 

No enquiries will be made with the Local Authority in respect of any planning or building regulation considerations which may affect the property.  These should be checked by your Solicitor prior to the exchange of Contracts. 

 

No enquiries will be made with the  the Highway Authority regarding whether the road is an adopted highway.  This should be checked by your Solicitor prior to the exchange of Contracts. 

 

No enquiries will be made with the Environmental Health Authority regarding any environmental matters.  This should be checked by your Solicitor prior to the exchange of Contracts. 

 

No enquiries will be made with the freeholder, leaseholder, selling agent or occupier concerning any lease conditions, or any restrictive covenants.

 

The external inspection of the property will be made from ground with the use of binoculars  where necessary.  The external inspection of the property will be made from within the boundaries of the site and from publicly accessible areas only.

 

Internal floor coverings will not be lifted, (where fixed down) except in localised areas and heavy items of furniture will not be moved.  If we suspect defects may exist in such parts of the building we will bring these areas to your attention and may recommend that further investigations are carried out.

 

We cannot inspect any parts of the structure that are covered, unexposed or inaccessible.

 

Where we notice high voltage electrical supply equipment close to the property, it may be suggested that you should contact the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), for specialist advice.  Their telephone number is (01235) 831600.

 

No liability is accepted by us with respect to any tests which are carried out by specialists.  Liability for such work will rest with the relevant organisations.

 

The Engineer will use reasonable skill, care and diligence in undertaking the survey and preparing the Report.

 

The Report will be produced for the sole use of the named Client and their professional  advisors. It is not to be reproduced to a third party, without the permission of this firm.

 

The report will comment on the overall condition of the property. It will not attempt to list  every single minor defect.  It will however list all defects which are considered to be significant in terms of the condition or the value of the building.  Significant defects will be explained in detail in the report.

 

Two copies of the report will be provided to the Client.  Additional copies can be provided at a cost of £15.00 plus VAT each, if required.

 

The copyright of the report belongs to KSA Consulting Engineers Limited.

 

The Client will be entitled to cancel this appointment by giving notice at least 3 days prior to the day we have arranged to carry out the Survey.  If the survey is cancelled, then any  money which has been paid will be refunded,  except for expenses reasonably incurred by us.  If the survey is cancelled after our site visit then any money which has been paid will be refunded, after deducting the expenses incurred up to the point of cancellation.

 

In the case of cancellation by the Engineer, the reason will be explained to the Client.

 

We do not accept any liability, to any other persons who may use or read the report, unless authorised by us.

 

It is our standard office procedure that the signed report will only be released once we have received payment of our fee account.  On completion of the inspection of the property, an invoice will be issued for the total amount agreed.  Once payment is received, the report will be issued, when completed, to the address provided.

 

Draft copies of our reports may be e-mailed on request.  These copies will not be signed and they should therefore be considered as preliminary draft copies, and they may not be finished or complete. They are not the official report.

 

As is standard industry practice, our Building Survey Reports do not include a market valuation of the property.

 

Our full Building Survey Reports do include a reinstatement cost assessment for insurance purposes.

 

Should you have any questions or comments, you can  contact us on (01530 560575).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acceptance of Conditions of Engagement

 

I hereby instruct you to carry out an inspection and to prepare a report on the condition of the property described at the beginning of these conditions of engagement.

 

 

 

 

 

Signed ...........................................                                                                                               Date ..........................