Building surveying FAQs
Answers about pricing, process, turnaround, what I can and cannot do, areas covered and remote versus site visits.
Pricing
How much do your services cost?
Prices start from £49 for a defects review from photos, £95 for a schedule of works, £99 for a CDM construction phase plan and RAMS, £125 for a dilapidations review and £245 for a schedule of condition with a site visit. Your exact price depends on the size and complexity of the job.
Are your prices fixed?
Yes. You get a fixed price in writing before any work starts. There are no hourly rates and no surprise extras unless you ask me to change the scope.
What affects the price?
Mainly the size of the property, the amount of detail needed, the number of documents to review and, for site visits, the travel involved. I explain what the quote covers so you can compare like for like.
Process
How do I get a quote?
Use the quote form on the home page or email declancgreen@gmail.com with a short description of the property and what you need. Photos, drawings or documents help but are not essential at the quote stage.
What do you need from me?
It depends on the service. Usually clear photos and video, any drawings or floor plans, and relevant documents such as a lease or dilapidations schedule. I will tell you exactly what I need when I quote.
Will I deal with you directly?
Yes. I carry out the inspections and write the reports myself, so you deal with the person doing the work from start to finish.
What format will my report be in?
Schedules of works and dilapidations reviews come as editable Excel or Word files, CDM plans as editable Word files, and defects reviews and schedules of condition as PDF reports. You own the documents and can reuse them.
Turnaround
How quickly will I get a quote?
Within 24 hours of receiving your enquiry, usually sooner.
How long does a report take?
Most remote reports are delivered within 2 to 5 working days. Defects reviews from photos are often returned within 1 to 2 working days, and schedules of condition usually within 3 to 5 working days of the visit. The delivery date is agreed in your quote.
Can you work to a deadline?
Often, yes. If you have a lease completion date, a dilapidations deadline or a site start date, tell me when you get in touch and I will confirm whether I can meet it before you commit.
What I can and cannot do
Are you RICS chartered?
No. I hold a BSc in Building Surveying (2020) but I am not RICS chartered. I offer practical technical support based on experience of residential and commercial repair and refurbishment projects.
Do you carry out homebuyer or Level 2 and Level 3 surveys?
No. I do not carry out RICS Level 2 or Level 3 surveys or homebuyer surveys. If you are buying a property, you should instruct a RICS chartered surveyor for a pre-purchase survey.
Can you act as a party wall surveyor?
No. I do not act as an appointed party wall surveyor or prepare party wall awards. I can provide a standalone schedule of condition where the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 does not apply.
Are you an expert witness for dilapidations?
No. My dilapidations reviews are technical reviews to support negotiation, not expert witness reports. If a claim moves towards formal proceedings you will need a solicitor and may need a chartered surveyor.
What if I need a report signed by a chartered surveyor?
Where a job needs a report signed off by a RICS chartered surveyor, for example for some lenders or landlords, I work with a chartered partner firm that can provide that sign-off. Mention it when you ask for a quote.
Areas
Where are you based?
I am based in Telford, covering Wolverhampton and the West Midlands, including Birmingham, the Black Country, Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent.
How far will you travel for a site visit?
Site visits cover roughly 50 miles of Wolverhampton, including Birmingham, the Black Country, Telford, Shrewsbury, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield, Solihull, Worcester and Kidderminster. If you are just outside that, ask.
Can you help if my property is elsewhere in the UK?
Yes. Schedules of works, dilapidations reviews, CDM plans and defects reviews can be carried out remotely wherever your property is.
Remote vs site visit
Do you need to visit the property?
Usually not. Schedules of works, dilapidations reviews, CDM plans and defects reviews can normally be done remotely from your photos, video, drawings and documents. Schedules of condition always include a site visit.
How reliable is a remote review?
For the services I offer remotely, good photos and documents are usually enough to produce a reliable document. I am clear about any limitations, and if something cannot be judged from photos I will say so rather than guess.
What if a site visit turns out to be needed?
I will tell you before you pay. For properties in the West Midlands I can quote for a visit, and elsewhere I will tell you what kind of professional to approach.
Still have a question?
Send a few details and I will come back within 24 hours with an answer and a fixed price.