Building Surveying

At MD Designs, we offer three levels of survey. For homes that are new, or nearly-new, a Condition Report provides a basic overview and confirms that there is no need for further investigation. However, in most cases, a Home Buyer Report is more appropriate. This level of inspection considers the ageing building materials and expected wear and tear, providing buyers with more details about how to care for their new home.

Where a building is particularly complex – perhaps due to its materials, size or age – a Building Survey offers better value. Although it is the most expensive of the three surveys, it allows surveyors enough time to complete a full visual inspection of an unusual home and report in detail about any defects or concerns that are identified. Building Surveys are also useful for homes that have been extensively modified or need to undergo renovation, as they will look closely at the performance of old and new construction materials to recommend necessary maintenance or alteration.

Buying a property is the biggest investment most of us will ever make, which is why it’s essential to fully understand what you’re buying before you commit. Even if you’ve got no reason to believe that the building is structurally unsound, it’s easy to miss small problem indicators with an untrained eye. This is particularly the case when the property you are buying is old, large or unconventional in some way.

Without a survey, buyers can get as far as exchanging or even completing on a house before noticing defects that may have affected the price they offered or their decision to buy the property at all. Unfortunately, once you have exchanged contracts, these issues are no longer the responsibility of the vendor.

Avoiding these surprise expenses is as simple as instructing a professional surveyor to inspect the building before you exchange contracts. With our training and experience, we are able to identify potential problems throughout the property and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about proceeding.

When you set out to invest a significant amount of money in buying a property, it’s essential to get an independent assessment of its true condition from top to bottom. For this, you need to hire a highly qualified Surveyor who reports to you and only you.

What is a Building Survey?
Buying a home is the most important investment that you will undertake in your lifetime, so it’s important that you know what you are getting. A Building Survey will investigate the condition of the property and report any defects in detail, allowing you to make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to proceed with your purchase. This report includes photos, detailed analysis of the entire building, including every accessible element, externally and internally. If any problems or structural issues are uncovered.

MD Designs are property professionals, able to provide specialist services based on proven experience, with a thorough knowledge of the region and a clear understanding of the requirements of our Clients.

We can advise you on the following types of work:

  • Boundary Disputes
  • Party Wall Awards
  • Lease and Land Registry Plans
  • Housing Disrepair for Landlord or Tenant
  • Construction Disputes
  • Dilapidations for Landlord and Tenant


MD Designs have a sound understanding of construction & the defects that can occur. We ensure the continued confidence of our Clients by offering a high level of commitment and a personal service.We offer the following surveys:

  • Full Building Surveys detailed report on condition, construction and make up of your building, including advice in relation to defects and maintenance.
  • Defect Diagnosis Report to analyse the cause of a defect and advise on remedial measures required.
  • Schedule of Condition Records, condition of property and can be appended to a lease to ensure that all parties are aware of the condition of a property at a given point in time (i.e. commencement of lease).
  • Planned Preventative Maintenance Reports Prediction of defects to allow costs to be spread over time and reduce the risk of responsive maintenance costs.
  • Dilapidations Preparation of Interim and Terminal Schedules for Landlords following a Tenants breach of obligations under their lease.
  • Stock Condition Survey Records the condition of a group of properties.
  • Major Defect Reports Identification of significant problems with a building prior to purchase.