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who we are what we do FAQ > home |
Are you RICS qualified? Sometimes you may be asked for a valuation from a RICS qualified surveyor. Our surveyors are RICS qualified, with many years of experience after qualifying. The terms: FRICS: Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors MRICS: Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors The qualification is the same, and either set of letters is acceptable for most purposes. How do we know we will get an ethical, thorough job? As well as being regulated by the RICS, our firm belongs to "Buy With Confidence", a list of ethical traders, maintained by South Gloucestershire Council's Trading Standards Department. 70% of our work comes from recommendations or from past clients returning -- we rely on our reputation and will not let you down. Will you look at the roof? When carrying out a Valuation, the surveyor will carry out a "head and shoulders" inspection of the roof void, from the loft hatch. In a Survey, if there is a loft hatch, our surveyor will always go into the roof void, to inspect the timbers at close quarters. Comment can be made on the condition of the roof itself, and also underlining felt, insulation, cold water tanks, etc. Some time is spent in this area, as the roof void also gives clues about other aspects of the property, such as the type and condition of electrical wiring, which is only usually exposed in this part of the house. If there is no loft hatch, the report will tell you this, and the condition of a roof will be ascertained from an inspection of the outside. The outside of the roof is usually examined with the help of binoculars, which the surveyors carry as part of their kit. If there is a flat roof at first floor level, this might be used for closer inspection of a higher roof. If there is a velux window, giving access to a valley in a roof, the surveyor will, if possible, go out of this, into the valley, for a close inspection of the whole roof. Do you check the drains? In a Valuation, drain covers are not normally lifted. The ground near to a drain run will be examined for any undulation or damage, which may indicate a problem with the drains. During a Survey, if there is a drain cover within the bounds of the property being inspected, it will be lifted and water run through to check for delays (blockages). The ground will be examined, and any possible problem pointed out (e.g. trees close to the drain run, cracked or sunken path over a drain run, etc.) What if I have special needs? Tell us. If you are disabled, or simply planning a conservatory off the dining room -- whatever your requirement, it is always helpful to tell the surveyor before their inspection, so he can consider this as he goes round. John Martin Surveyors is a member of the Independent Surveyors Association, whose motto is, "Putting the Client first". Your needs, as clients, are paramount, so do not be afraid to tell us about them. What can you provide that larger, corporate surveyors do not? We pride ourselves on local knowledge and individual attention to our clients. The most important thing is that you know what you are committing yourself to in purchasing a property. If you would like the surveyor to talk through his findings with you, he will. If you don't understand anything, he will explain in simple terms. If, in six months' time, you get round to doing some work recommended in the survey and you find that you don't actually understand what you need to do, phone us. We will remember you, talk to you, visit to explain on-site if necessary. In addition, we only carry out one Survey a day, so if the Surveyor finds something that needs more time and attention, he can stay longer -- all day, if necessary, without pressures to move on to the next job. Can I come along? Yes, of course. However, any Survey, even on the smallest property, takes several hours. You would not want to hang around for this length of time, nor would the present owner want you there for that long. We usually advise that you call in towards the end of the inspection. By that time, the Surveyor will have had a chance to look thoroughly at the Property and will be able to take you round, explaining his findings to you. You will still get a thorough written report a few days later, to reinforce what you have been shown. |