Apartment Survey

An Apartment Survey is an objective meticulous and comprehensive visual assessment of a property ahead of purchase. An opinion and report is formulated based on inspection observations, and the property type, age and risk profile.

An Apartment Survey, often called a Pre-Purchase Survey, Structural Survey, Building Survey or Home Survey gives a home buyer an impartial and objective detailed evaluation of the overall condition of a property prior to purchase. It provides peace of mind, drastically reducing risk associated with what is for most people the largest financial purchase that they will ever make.

The primary function of an Apartment Survey is to identify and advise on structural failure or defect, other evident or potential major issues, and any significant water ingress or damp issues, and other risks as listed on this page. It also provides information on items that may need to be maintained, repaired or replaced. It also identifies evident issues that could or will incur significant cost to remedy. An Apartment Survey will help you to avoid a problem property, or at least make you aware of issues if you decide to proceed.

An Apartment Survey will normally also provide information on potential risk associated with a particular property type and profile, and advise you regarding any advised or required further specialist inspections or investigations.

An Apartment Survey and detailed report provides the information that you need to make an informed purchasing decision on the property.

An Apartment Survey also assists your solicitor with any possible issues, and to advise on recommended background checks, enquiries and requisitions.

It also identifies evident alterations that may require a Certificate of Compliance, amendment of a Fire Safety Certificate, Management Company permission, and further investigation and clarification.

There is no difference between an Apartment Survey, Pre-Purchase Survey, Building Survey, and Structural Survey. An Apartment Survey has been and continues to be called any of the above.

No, it is a completely different service.

A purchaser should note that a surveyor carrying out a Mortgage Valuation for a bank or building society is NOT carrying out a Pre-Purchase Apartment Survey on your behalf or paying the detailed attention required to the condition of the property and its many components, but is merely ascertaining the VALUE of the property to facilitate the Lending Institution in making their deliberations on the mortgage.

Generally 15-20 minutes is actually spent by a Valuer at the property and therefore a Valuation should NEVER be deemed to comprise a full and properly informative Pre-Purchase Apartment Survey.

When choosing most services, people will generally be guided by the recommendations of others and by reputation. At Surveyor.ie we get more than half of our business through referral from Solicitors, Brokers, Lending Institutions, and most importantly from our Customers, and our reputation and track record is second to none. Also, we have some of the most competitive rates in the Dublin area. So why choose us?

One of the most important factors to consider is whether the Registered Surveyor specialises in Pre-Purchase Apartment Surveys. At Perri Building Surveyors Ltd, Pre-Purchase Apartment Surveys form the core of our business and are our speciality. We inspect any type of property of any age and evident condition.

Please find more information on the following pages:

• Why Choose Us?
• Registered Building Surveyor

Simple. It’s a Survey – Choose a Surveyor specialising in pre-purchase apartment surveys.

A specialist Registered Building Surveyor has vast experience in carrying out Apartment Surveys, and is suitably trained and specialises in this area. We have carried out over 10,000 Home Surveys since establishment as private practice surveyors in 2002.

There are many cross over’s in the work carried out by Surveyors, Engineers and Architects, however normally each specialise in certain areas.

As Registered Building Surveyors we specialise in Pre-Purchase House Surveys and Apartment Surveys and have vast experience in this area.

Pre-Purchase Apartment Surveys are a core competency of Registered Building Surveyors. That’s why it’s best to choose a Registered Surveyor for this type of work. Building Surveyors also specialise in relevant related areas, such as Compliance Certification, Boundary Issues and Mapping, Historical and Latent defects, and have a comprehensive understanding of many other areas that arise as part of a property purchase.

You also have the added protection of State Registration of Building Surveyors.

There is currently no similar state registration for Engineers.

Buying a new home may be the biggest single investment you’ll ever make. While the apartment or duplex apartment you have selected may seem ideal, how can you be sure there aren’t potentially serious hidden defects, which may make your dream home a costly one indeed!

To avoid unpleasant surprises, you should learn as much as you can about the property’s condition and need for repairs before you buy, by booking an Apartment Survey. Having your future new home inspected by a Registered Building Surveyor as early as possible in the buying process could save you a potential fortune on unexpected maintenance and repairs of evident defects.

Many issues that we have identified as part of Apartment Surveys have unfortunately led to sales falling through. This is more common than you would think and can be due to a variety of reasons. An apartment purchase can be significantly more complex than a house purchase.

Where issues are identified, you may be able to adjust / reduce the purchase price with the vendor where deemed appropriate.

In our experience the potential risk and cost associated with purchasing the wrong apartment far exceeds the minimal cost of a Pre-Purchase Apartment Survey.

Don’t leave it until the last minute!

In the case of a Second Hand House or Apartment, it is vitally important to have as much information about the property you are proposing to buy as early as is possible in the buying process and therefore you should have a Pre-Purchase Apartment Survey carried as soon as is possible (ideally as soon as possible after paying a booking deposit to the agent) to help make an informed decision on how to progress.

Note that in the case of a newly built House or Apartment, inspection is normally carried out when the builder informs you that the property is ready to have a Snag List completed.

A more important question is how long it should take.

For most people, this is one of the most important purchases that you will ever make. It is essential that you take your time.

Many issues that can arise may be missed if your team are pressured, or in too much of a hurry to take the appropriate time required to protect you. Inspection observations often take time to consider, with issues requiring time to assess, including further discussion, enquiries, and documentary evidence to be requested and considered. Often title issues will need to be referred to your solicitor for assessment and confirmation. Sometimes further investigations are required.

It is important that you engage a Registered Building Surveyor to carry out an Apartment Survey as early in the purchase process as possible, ideally as soon as a booking deposit is paid to the estate agent.

As a rule, the Pre-Purchase Apartment Survey inspection is generally within a week of booking, however that can vary during busy periods. Where necessary we will discuss findings with you directly after the inspection, and a formal written report will follow in due course. Terms of Engagement will outline usual time period to reporting. We work carefully, and this can take time. We will never rush your inspection.

Note: We generally advise that you work on your own timescale as much as possible. Purchasers are under increasing pressure to hurry, from Estate Agents, Vendors, Banks, and sometimes even their own Solicitors, or also due to pressure to leave a rental property. Take your time. If a mistake is made due to undue haste, none of the aforementioned people will pay the price, you will.