We’ve talked a lot about the different types of RICS surveys and when you should recommend each one to your client, but what about when they need a specialist report?
When a RICS survey provides an assessment of a property’s condition, in some cases it could identify issues that require further investigation – this is where specialist reports come in.
A specialist report focuses on a specific issue or building element identified during a survey. Rather than assessing the whole property. It provides detailed insight into a particular concern, helping buyers, lenders and advisers better understand the risk and next steps.
For your client, this could feel unexpected and sometimes worrying. The key is to be able to help them understand what a specialist report is (and what it isn’t), so you can reassure them. Important things for clients to know about specialist reports are:
A specialist report can clarify the cause, extent, and significance of an issue, and confirm if a defect is historic or ongoing. This can help clarify whether remedial work is needed, and if so, what type.
Just as with a RICS Home Survey, specialist reports help clients make informed decisions. This can include whether they want to proceed with the purchase, renegotiate on the price or terms, or whether they want to get further professional advice or quotations.
In some situations, clients may be required to get a specialist report before their lenders issue a final offer, and conveyancers may need specialist findings to address legal or risk concerns. This could be in instances where structural, drainage, or electrical assessments flag issues.
Specialist reports should be read alongside a RICS Home Survey and will only comment on the specific issues within its scope. They do not provide a comprehensive overview of the property or highlight any additional issues outside of the specialist report area which may exist.
Importantly, as with all surveys and reports, clients should always make sure they are completed by appropriately qualified professionals. At Optimus we offer a range of specialist surveys through our trusted RICS qualified panel, including asbestos, drains, damp, electrics, gas, roofing, structure, trees, sulphates, and more. You can view our full list here.