Cosey Homes is an experienced team of Chartered Surveyors in Leeds. Our skilled structural engineers and surveyors have worked with thousands of happy clients across the North of England, delivering impartial advice, technical expertise and consistently exceptional customer service.
With over 18 years in the property business, we are proud to be accredited by industry-leading organisations, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). For details about any of our services, or if you would like to book one of our Leeds Building Surveyors for a property survey, please call our friendly team direct on 0113 3188 300 or send a short enquiry via our contact page.
If you are looking for professional property surveying services in Leeds, Cosey Homes should be your first port of call. We know that buying a home or business premises is one of the biggest investment of your life, which is why we make it our business to help you to make an informed decision about what you are spending your money on.
Contact our expert team for residential property surveys in Leeds, valuations or structural inspections to make sure you fully understand the condition of the property asset you are about to commit to.
Cosey Homes is a leading property surveyor in Leeds and the surrounding area, including Bradford, Harrogate and Wakefield. Our team has a wide range of diverse experiences in the property sector, and we have the knowledge and qualifications to carry out commercial property surveys and valuations as well as residential Building Survey (Level 3) and RICS HomeBuyer Reports (Level 2). From industrial warehouses and commercial premises to large homes and tower blocks, we are happy to assist in any environment.
Leeds, with its blend of historic and modern properties, presents property owners with unique challenges, often tied to the age of buildings and local environmental factors. Whether you’re buying, selling, or maintaining a property, a professional survey is invaluable for identifying potential issues and informing your decisions.
One prevalent issue in Leeds is dampness and condensation, especially in older Victorian properties with outdated construction materials. This can lead to condensation build-up, ultimately causing structural damage if left unaddressed. A Leeds RICS HomeBuyers Survey will identify the presence and severity of damp issues so you can take the appropriate action.
Subsidence and structural movement are also concerns in parts of Leeds, which sits on clay-rich soils prone to shifting, as well as areas affected by Yorkshire’s mining history. A structural survey can detect signs of subsidence, such as cracks in walls or uneven flooring, helping property owners understand whether issues are minor or require further investigation.
Roofing and guttering problems are common, particularly in Leeds’ wet climate, where older roofs and poorly maintained gutters can lead to leaks and water damage. Our surveyors can inspect roofs, chimneys, and gutters to identify potential trouble spots and suggest repairs, helping to prevent costly water ingress.
For homes with original timber features, such as beams or flooring, timber infestations like woodworm or rot can also pose significant issues. A timber inspection can reveal active infestations or historical damage, with recommendations for treatment and future prevention. Leeds’ colder climate and the age of many properties also mean energy efficiency is a major concern – older homes may lack insulation, for example.
Cosey Homes Surveyors Leeds
Building 3, Leeds City West Business Park
Gelderd Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS12 6LN
Our Location
A must for anyone buying a new home
For older or altered buildings
For a highly accurate valuation
Of all the property surveys available, the RICS Building Survey (Level 3) offers the greatest level of detail. This level of investigation is therefore suitable for buildings with complex surveying needs including historic homes and listed buildings, non-standard constructions and properties that have undergone substantial alterations in the past, or are in need of major updating now. The survey report will contain an in-depth analysis of defects identified, and will also provide repair cost estimates along with recommendations for future maintenance.
A Homebuyers Survey (Level 2) is a mid-level property investigation, based on a non-invasive site visit and designed to deliver a reasonable amount of detail about the property’s state of repair and overall condition. The survey report is designed in an easy-to-understand format, using the RICS traffic light system to indicate the severity of each defect identified. Features that do not currently meet building regulations will also be flagged up. The HomeBuyer Report (Level 2) is recommended for modern buildings (<100 years old) of conventional construction that are in a good state of repair.
The Condition Report (Level 1) is designed to provide a brief overview of the property’s general condition – it is the shortest and most basic survey we offer. As a snapshot picture of the building on the day of the site visit, we will highlight any areas of particular concern but won’t go into as much detail as with other types of survey. A Condition Report (Level 1) is suitable for new homes, or nearly new homes, where no building defects are anticipated, and the general purpose of the report is to provide the peace of mind that comes from having given the building a professional once-over.
Getting a professional property survey before you exchange contracts is an important step in your due diligence to protect what may well be the biggest investment of your life. Instructing a qualified surveyor to inspect the building is the most reliable way to ensure any potential issues are spotted, so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed. The RICS Building Survey (Level 3) is the most in-depth survey available, and particularly suitable for larger and older buildings, non-standard constructions, properties with a complex alterations history as well as fixer-uppers.
Put briefly, a Homebuyers Survey (Level 2) is a mid-level investigation while a Building Survey (Level 3) is an in-depth investigation. While the former is appropriate for modern buildings of standard construction that are in a reasonable state of repair, the latter can deal with complex surveying needs including listed buildings and unconventional types of construction. If you’re not sure which survey is right for your requirements, please feel free to contact us for professional advice about the best survey for your particular property.
If your survey findings are ‘bad’, you are entirely within your rights to renegotiate the price agreed ‘subject to contract and survey’. Obtain cost estimates for necessary repairs and maintenance to arrive at a figure and present your evidence-based facts to the seller with a request for a discount. Of course, the seller is under no obligation to lower the price, though they may be motivated by the prospect of a quick sale. Make sure you stay flexible in reaching a mutually agreeable solution, and also be prepared to walk away if the costs are just too high and no compromise can be found.
Many property buyers assume that a brand new or nearly new building won’t need a survey, either because there shouldn’t be any defects present or because any problems should be covered by the 10-year NHBC warranty. In point of fact, this warranty only covers the home if the original house builder is prepared to accept responsibility for their mistakes, and even newly built homes can have unexpected problems.
For your own peace of mind, we would always recommend that you have an independent property survey carried out to protect your significant investment. As skilled Chartered Surveyors in Leeds, we’re well equipped to ensure you’re making the right decisions.
Are you tempted to buy a heritage home or a listed building? These charming old properties can often suffer from numerous unseen problems including damp and timber decay, roof defect or structural movement. And because of their age and build, only a full RICS Building Survey (Level 3) is equipped to do them justice. With an experienced surveyor conducting a thorough investigation into the structural condition of the building, you will have the best chance to get an in-depth insight into the building, rather than discovering unpleasant surprises after you’ve moved in.
At Cosey Homes, our team works independently of other companies in the property sector. This means we are not obliged to look after the interests of estate agents, mortgage providers or any other third party. Instead, we can direct all our efforts on the needs of our clients and are able to offer a completely unbiased assessment of your property and your circumstances. In return, you can feel assured that our advice is always in your best interests, and that our clear, easy-to-follow reports are giving you all the information you need for your Leeds property.
In Leeds, the cost of a property survey depends on the type and detail level required and property size. Homebuyer Reports (typically between £400 and £600) are ideal for standard properties, offering a more detailed look at visible defects and sometimes including a valuation. For older or larger properties, a Building Survey can cost upwards of £550 and provides an in-depth structural analysis.
At Cosey Homes Chartered Surveyors, we provide expert advice for residents in Leeds, and across the UK including major cities such as London, Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and Newcastle.