CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR BUILDING SURVEYING SERVICES

1. The Surveyor will use all reasonable skill, care and the due diligence expected of a competent Chartered Building Surveyor in considering the matter and preparing his Report or Schedule.
2. The report or schedule should be read as a comment on the specified defect or overall condition of the property. It is not an inventory of every single defect.
3. Where the property is inspected for a defect analysis or repair schedule, it will be viewed externally, from within its curtilage, or from access roads. Internal floor coverings will not be lifted, where fixed down and items of furniture or equipment will not be moved. All reasonably accessible parts of the property will be inspected, e.g. roofs where they can be reached from a 3 metre ladder. Binoculars will be used, where appropriate, from ground level.
4. Such an inspection will be by visual means only. It will not include any detailed assessment of concealed elements or services. Advice will be given where it is considered necessary to carry out further tests or inspections on your behalf and this will entail additional expense.
5. The surveyor relies on the employer and his legal advisers to supply all relevant documents and information. Any information or documents provided after fees were discussed may affect the final cost of the service.
6. The Report will be produced for the sole use of the named Client and his legal advisors. It is not to be reproduced to a third party, without permission in writing.
7. You should obtain legal advice prior to commencing any legal action or contract.
8. The Report will take precedence over any verbal advice given.
9. The Client will pay the Surveyor the fee on receipt of the fee account and the Surveyor reserves the right to suspend work if fees are unpaid, or to add interest at 4% above the prevailing base rate of the HSBC on all overdue fee accounts. Where instructions are received from solicitors or other professional advisors, the liability for the fees is on a jointly and severally basis.
10. Fees assessed on an hourly basis will include all time spent on the matter, whether on site, in the office, at conference etc., or travelling.
11. Disbursements, where charged, are assessed on a cost basis.
12. The Client and their advisors are required to ensure that sufficient funds are available to settle invoices in full when they are received.
13. We are required by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to state that a copy of our Complaints Handling procedure is available on request.
14. These Terms and Conditions are to be read in conjunction with the covering letter.

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