Who are we?
Hepburn & Associates are Specialist Residential Building Surveyors with over 25 years experience in the Kent, Sussex and South East London areas. The practice is owned and run by Robert F Hepburn BSc MRICS who has previously worked with Halifax (Colleys) as their Senior Building Surveyor across the Kent and Sussex areas, and latterly with a specialist residential private practice.
He has wide and detailed experience in all ages and styles of property, especially advising on the special aspects of Period and Listed buildings.
We are regulated by the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and members of the ISA (Independent Surveyors Association) you can therefore be assured that we will always put your interests first. We act for you alone and not for your lender or the estate agent.
Why do you need a Survey?
Buying a property is likely to be your largest investment and in the present market it is important to have professional advice so that you can reach an informed decision on your property purchase. Before you proceed with your purchase and are legally committed, you can minimise the risks by instructing Hepburn & Associates to answer these questions on your behalf.
- Is the price agreed reasonable, taking into account the properties condition?
- Are there defects that I need to be concerned about?
- What further advice do I need before making a decision?
Commissioning a survey is a simple and economical way to avoid unpleasant and costly surprises after moving in. Renegotiation of the purchase price following the advice in the report may easily cover the cost of the survey.
Remember your lenders valuation is for their purposes - not for yours - it only advises the lenders about the security of a loan. You should not legally rely on it.
But, I already have a Mortgage Valuation report.... Even if you are seeking a mortgage - and may be paying for a Mortgage Valuation report - it is still advisable and prudent to arrange a survey by your own Surveyor. Both the Consumers’ Association magazine and the Council of Mortgage Lenders give this advice.
Why?
The reason is simple: the Mortgage Valuation report is prepared for the lender - not for you, the borrower.
It answers only the lender's questions about the appropriate security for your loan. 'If we need to get our loan back is there sufficent value in the property?' You cannot rely on it to answer questions which concern your personal interests, such as the properties condition and any defects.
What choice of surveys do I have?
RICS Members offer two main forms of pre-purchase survey (but there are other specialist reports) which are specifically designed to help the buyer, a Building Survey and The HomeSurvey Report & Valuation.
The main features of the are compared below: | | HomeSurvey Report | Building Survey |
| Type of Property | Conventional houses, flats, bungalows, etc. in apparantely reasonable condition not extensively altered or extended
| Any residential or other property, (except flats) recommended for period or listed buildings
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| Type of Service | Economy package in a standard form designed by the ISA, approx 12 - 15 pages of consise advice. | A custom, detailed and comprehensive report that can be tailored to suit your needs, approx 30 - 40 pages of detailed and specific advice. |
| Objects of Service | To assist the Client to: (i) make an informed judgement on whether or not to proceed; (ii) assess what would be a reasonable purchase price for the Property; (iii) assess all urgent and significant matters requiring further investigation before exchanging contracts. | To provide Client with: (i) a detailed comprehensive assessment of the condition/construction of the Property; (ii) technical advice on significant problems and remedial works required; (iii) diagnosis of defects and discussion of remedies; (iv) advice on future maintenance requirements. |
| Special Features | Focuses on urgent and significant matters only, leaving you to obtain any further reports and estimates prior to proceeding with purchase. | Comprehensive details of the Property's construction; detailed comment on materials, uses and defects; specific advice on your personal concerns; photographic record of the property and defects; future maintenance advice; glossary of technical terms; complementary copy of the report can be sent direct to your legal advisor.
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| Market Valuation | We include a valuation free of charge within the HomeSurvey standard form. | Not normally included but can be provided as an agreed extra. |
| Form of Report | Compact and consise, fixed ISA designed format, similar to an RICS Homebyer report and covering the same ground. | In our Surveyor's own custom format, much longer, more detailed and comprehensive and much more technical in nature. |
How do I instruct Hepburn & Associates?
Please use the enquiry form on the Contact Page or by telephone.
An instruction may be placed with Hepburn & Associates by completing and signing the Confirmation of Instruction form, which will be sent to you with our quotation, after having discussed your requirements and agreed the fee with the Surveyor.
You should return the Confirmation of Instructions by Email or post in the pre-paid return envelope, retaining a copy for your information. Payment can be by Credit or Debit card or by cheque with your Confirmation.The cheque will banked only on completion of the report.
Please discuss your requirements with our surveyor if there are any aspects of which you are unclear. All Building Surveys are carried out by qualified Chartered Building Surveyors who are strictly bound by the current byelaws and regulations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Further Advice
When a report is commissioned with Hepburn & Associates you are also entitled to a follow up service of further advice. If you are uncertain as to the implications of the written advice given in our report or simply require additional advice or guidance, please contact us and we will be pleased to assist you.
In the unlikely event of any dispute arising about the content of the report, you should notify Hepburn & Associates of any problem before any repairs or remedial works are carried out and allow us an opportunity at reasonable notice to re-inspect.