Our service does not stop upon the delivery of your survey; we will always make time to talk to you about the content and the implications of certain aspects of the report.
We realise that buying a home may be the biggest purchase and financial commitment that you are likely to make, and our survey may be the deciding factor. We would like to think that we offer an exceptional service, especially to first time buyers.
A Short Introduction
Welcome to AM Surveys
Our principal, Andrew McColl, is a 60-year-old surveyor living just outside Billericay, Essex, with a vast wealth of experience, having been involved in the construction and the housebuilding industry since leaving school and now specialising in comprehensive and affordable surveys for the home buyer. With our small team, we are independent surveyors with no corporate handcuffs or time restraints and can, therefore, give a better value-for-money service.
Our reputation has been built on providing reliable and personal service to all our clients, big or small, corporate or private. Our surveyors take full responsibility for their services, leaving you free to concentrate on your day-to-day business.
Speed, efficiency and attention to detail are the keystones of our practice, so you can have the confidence to rely on us to deliver on time, on budget and with minimal fuss.
See how we are protecting both our clients and surveyors.
Our Services
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Home Condition Surveys
Helping the homebuyer to make an informed decision.
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Homebuyer Reports
Information about the general condition of a property and its construction.
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Building Surveys
More extensive surveys with more detail than the Home Condition Survey.
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Listed Building Surveys
Andrew McColl is a leading member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
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Party Wall Work
We have many years experience in dealing with party wall matters and would be able to provide you with further specific advice and/or act for you if needed.
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New Build Snagging Surveys
Snagging surveys/inspections of your new property are designed to look for problems with a new-build home.
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Professional Services
Whether you are an estate agency, a conveyancing solicitors practice or a team or estate managers, we are on hand to be your perfect property partners.
Why AM Surveys?
Independent surveyors, no corporate handcuffs or time restraint
Speed, efficiency and attention to detail are the keystones of the practice
Service does not stop upon the delivery of your survey
Excellent reputation, solid professionalism and customer care
Always make time to talk to you about the content and the implications of the report
Members of many of the leading trade bodies of the industry
Here For You
Quotations happily supplied via email
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A Few FAQs....
The best way to make sure that you invest your money in a safe, structurally sound home is to have a survey carried out. A Homebuyer Report should usually be adequate for properties built in the last 100 years. If you have reason to be particularly worried about the structure of the building or are buying a period property, however, then it is probably best to go for a full Building Survey.
For the key differences between the different survey types, see our Surveys section.
Click to enter answer...
It is a very interesting question; the answer is not so black-and-white. Surveys are essential because houses are sold as seen, and failure to have a professional inspection can result in insurance companies refusing to pay out if underlying issues have been picked up on a pre-purchase inspection. Also, when you make an offer on a property, it is on what you reasonably know about, so any additional information from the surveyor is beneficial for negotiation. After all, you don’t want to buy a house and later get costly surprises!
The survey report is not a bill of quantities or a schedule of rates; after all, the surveyor cannot anticipate every potential repair and to what specification you require the results to be. For example, you can buy a sink for £25 or 2 ½ thousand pounds.
The surveyor, however, is there to help and guide you, especially if there are severe issues with the property that need to be addressed. You can chat with your surveyor before the inspection and, indeed, as often as you want after the inspection. Some big-ticket items may be included in the report; usually, we can give additional information as part of the post-report consultation process.
We like to think that it is a personal service with the surveyor; after all, you will have the surveyor's mobile number, and you can contact him or her anytime.
If there is a specific issue you are concerned about, one of our surveyors would be more than happy to have a chat with you before you place an order.
No. If you need a mortgage to buy your house then a lender will need you to pay for a mortgage valuation report. However, this is not a survey and should not be mistaken as such. A mortgage valuation report is just that - a valuation of the property for the mortgage lender to confirm that the property is worth the amount that you want to borrow. However, this report will only highlight obvious defects. For a full survey the surveyor works for the buyer and will conduct a more detailed examination into the property's structural integrity, repairs, maintenance and condition.
