Why you need a professional survey?
It is estimated than on average only 20% of all homebuyer's commission a professional survey. This is somewhat surprising considering that buying a property is probably the biggest purchase of most people's lives. One explanation for this low take up, is that many homebuyers believe the mortgage lender's survey is sufficient. In fact, the lender's survey is simply a mortgage valuation, a property inspection to establish the amount and terms of the loan. This survey will not tell you if the property is worth the price you're paying for it, nor point out any structural defects. To obtain this vitally important information you'll need to get a professional opinion by commissioning a chartered surveyor before you sign any contracts. Choosing a surveyor Once you've worked out which type of survey to go for, the next task is to find a suitable surveyor. Your mortgage lender or estate agent may be able to offer a recommendation, also don't forget to ask any friends who've recently purchased a property. If these options fail to find someone suitable, contact the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), who currently have over 80,000 members working to the highest professional standards.

It's a good idea to assist your surveyor by passing on information about the locality, including any information you've gathered about properties that are for sale or have recently been sold in the area. Also, inform the surveyor of any potential problems that you noticed when you viewed the property