Cosey Homes is a trusted firm of Chartered Surveyors and structural engineers serving Torquay, the English Riviera, and surrounding areas across South Devon. With over 20 years of professional experience, we hold accreditations from leading industry organisations, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE). Our reputation is built on delivering expert property consultancy services, supporting homebuyers in the South West and beyond.
If you would like to arrange a building survey or RICS HomeBuyer report, or to find out more about our services, send us an enquiry via our contact page.
For professional advice on property surveys in Torquay and across South Devon, contact the expert team at Cosey Homes today. Whether it’s a historic home or a modern build, we’ll provide the insights you need to move forward with confidence.
Our team provides a full range of building surveying and consultancy services throughout Torquay and South Devon, including residential property valuations, RICS HomeBuyer Surveys (Level 2), and RICS Building Surveys (Level 3).
Purchasing property is a major investment, so understanding its condition is essential. At Cosey Homes, we deliver thorough assessments to help you make confident and informed decisions.
You can request a RICS Homebuyers Survey quote by completing a simple form.
Cosey Homes Surveyors Torquay
The Senate
Southernhay Gardens
Exeter
EX1 1UG
A must for anyone buying a new home
For older or altered buildings
For a highly accurate valuation
Buying a home is a huge financial investment and it makes good sense to get a professional surveyor to look ‘under the hood’ of the property and give you an honest report on its condition before you sign on the dotted line. If you are thinking of buying a property in Torquay or anywhere in the TQ postcode in South Devon, we can help with in-depth RICS Building Surveys (Level 3), mid-range RICS HomeBuyer Reports (Level 2), entry-level RICS Condition Reports (Level 1) and Residential Valuations for all types of property.
A RICS Building Survey (Level 3) is the most detailed property investigation carried out by Cosey Homes. It was previously known as a full structural survey and is a Level 3 survey. This level of detail is particularly recommended for properties that are older than 70 years, including period properties, historic and listed buildings. It is also suitable for large properties and buildings that have undergone significant alterations in the past or where major renovation works are planned. Our surveyor will conduct an in-depth visual inspection and deliver the findings in a comprehensive report that details the condition of the building including any urgent or major problems such as subsidence, damp and timber decay. We will also make recommendations for any necessary remedial action and future maintenance.
A RICS Homebuyers Survey (Level 2) is a mid-level property investigation that is most suitable for modern properties that are of conventional construction and in a reasonable state of repair. A Cosey Homes surveyor will carry out a non-invasive visual inspection of all accessible building elements and detail the findings in a professional survey report that gives an overview of the building’s condition and highlights any urgent defects. We also include a free market valuation as standard, which not all surveyors do. The report uses RICS traffic-light conditions and a templated format that is easy to understand by a layperson. With a RICS HomeBuyer Report, you have all the facts you need to make an intelligent decision on your purchase.
At Cosey Homes, we have a team of highly trained and experienced RICS Registered Valuers who can provide accurate market valuations that are far more robust than any estate agents’ market appraisal can ever be. With the benefit of extensive local market knowledge of Torquay, Torbay, the South Hams and beyond, we produce formal residential valuations that stand up in a court of law and can be used for a wide range of purposes. From tax and probate matters to divorce settlements and matrimonial cases, personal asset valuations, mortgage and insurance purposes, get in touch with our residential valuation team to find out how we can help.
A RICS Condition Report (Level 1) is the most basic home survey available and we would recommend it for homebuyers of new-build or nearly new properties that are in good condition. A Cosey Homes surveyor will carry out a short site visit, undertake a brief site inspection and produce a summary report on the property’s overall state of repair. While no defects are expected to be found with such a new building, the report will flag up any obvious issues of concern but won’t include any recommendations for repair or maintenance. If it’s peace of mind you’re after that your investment is sound, a Level 1 report may be all that’s required.
At Cosey Homes, we would always recommend an in-depth Building Survey (Level 3) for properties that are older than 70 years. This includes Victorian and Edwardian homes, properties situated in a Conservation Area as well as listed buildings. A Level 3 survey offers sufficient scope to cover the unique features, qualities and requirements of a historic character home.
A HomeBuyer Report (Level 2) is a mid-range investigation designed to give an overview of the building’s condition and highlight any urgent areas of concern. A Building Survey (Level 3) is a more detailed analysis that covers all major defects. This is the best choice for older or larger buildings, ‘fixer upper’ projects and non-standard properties.
If the survey findings flag up unexpected problems or urgent remedial works, you are well within your rights to renegotiate the sale price. Many buyers ask for a discount to cover the cost of unexpected repairs (or obtain assurances from the seller that he will fix the problem before contracts are exchanged). Of course, there is no guarantee that the seller will accept a lower offer but there’s certainly no harm in trying.
According to English property law, a transaction only becomes legally valid once contracts have been exchanged. Gazumping is a perfectly legal (though frowned upon) practice whereby the seller accepts a higher offer before exchange, effectively pushing you out of the transaction.
With so many different property surveys on the market, it can be hard to know which is the right one to choose. At Cosey Homes, we recognise that you need professional guidance and advice to talk through all available options including the pros and cons of each survey type. Why not get in touch today for a friendly chat with our expert team?
We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and will work as swiftly as we can to deliver your report. As a general rule, you can expect to receive it by email as a PDF document within 5 working days after the site visit. If you require an additional hard copy, this can be arranged for an extra fee.