Ian is a self-employed Professional Chartered Building Consultant specialising within the Built Environment. His work generally involves building surveying, architectural design and energy assessment for both residential and commercial buildings.

With over 25 years of construction related experience, qualified to Bachelor of Science degree level (2:1), a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Society of Professional Engineers (SPE), the Society for the Environment and a Fellow member of the Association of Building Engineers (ABE), Ian provides the professional expertise which includes a detailed understanding of statutory regulations, technical codes and standards. Ian is also an accredited member of Elmhurst Energy Systems (OCDEA). Given the above, he shares a huge commitment to environmental best practice as he holds the title of ‘Chartered Environmentalist’.

Ian’s academic qualifications and experience to date establishes proven knowledge and commitment to professional standards. As Ian is a fellow and corporate member of several professional bodies and governed by rules of conduct, he acts with utmost integrity and carries out his professional work with due skill, care and diligence. He also understands the need to have proper regard for standards of service and customer care that is expected of him.

When you buy a home, take advantage of professional expertise and independent advice by using surveyors who are Chartered Practitioners. Your home is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you ever make – you need to know as much as you can about the property before you buy it, so having a survey makes good sense – and could save you thousands of pounds in costly repair bills.

IPB Associates are a Chartered Building Consultancy which means that we are governed by professionally qualified directors who are committed to high standards of quality and customer service. We operate to a strict code of conduct and we are trained to recognise industry standards. We are registered as Building Surveyors with the CIOB Faculty of Architecture and Surveying and thus we are authorised to carry out Residential Condition Surveys. We are also Chartered Environmentalists which means that we take environmental issues very seriously. IPB Associates maintain Professional Indemnity Insurance to cover full liability to our clients and also to abide by Professional Conduct Regulations.

All of the above means that we are able to offer a service which ensures a consistently high level of client satisfaction and has to date been widely recognised. You, our customer, can be assured of peace of mind and can be sure to be provided with an efficient, professional and first class service every time.

What you can expect from a survey? Surveys are a kind of ‘health check’ for buildings. If you’re buying a property, you should have a survey done before you enter into a contract. A survey can actually save you money. If there are serious problems, you can often re-negotiate the sale price of the property to reflect the cost of necessary repairs – or you may even decide you don’t want to buy it at all.

Your surveyor will report on all the parts of the property they can easily reach. They don’t inspect under carpets or furniture, and they don’t test the water supply or wiring – though they’ll comment on their condition. If you’re about to buy a property, you may have specific worries about the building you’re going to buy. Talk to us and we will be happy to discuss your particular concerns in more detail. If you’re interested in making structural changes to a property, or you think there may be a damp or dry rot problem, we will be able to advise you about this too. Our report is designed to help you make a more informed decision.

A Building Survey is a comprehensive inspection of a property reported in a style to suit the property and your specific requirements. It’s suitable for all properties, especially:

• Listed buildings
• Older properties
• Buildings constructed in an unusual way, however old they are
• Properties you plan to renovate or alter in any way
• Properties that have had extensive alterations

It examines all accessible parts of the property – and you can ask to have specific areas included, so it covers any particular concerns you have about the building. It is a product which can be tailored to your needs, agreed between you and your surveyor.

A lender valuation isn’t a survey. It’s a limited check on the property that your mortgage lender carries out to ensure it’s worth the money they’re lending you. They’ll probably ask you to pay for the valuation. Lenders may provide a copy of the mortgage valuation to the buyer but it is unlikely to cover items of detail which would be picked up in a survey. There may be problems in the property that would cost a huge amount to put right – and they won’t appear in the valuation report. This is why it’s really important you have a survey. A Chartered Practitioner is fully qualified to carry out a detailed survey, before you buy your home. The property may not even be visited.

This report contains information about the physical condition of various common elements of a property, which sellers, buyers and lenders will be able to rely on legally as an accurate report. Unlike a survey it does not contain advice. The Report is a voluntary document which can be included in the Home Information Pack. It is prepared by an accredited Home Inspector, who may or may not also be a chartered surveyor. However, concerns raised in an HCR can be investigated further by a Chartered Practitioner who will advise you on remedial action.

A Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (HSV), also known as a Homebuyer’s Report, is a survey completed to a standard format set out by RICS – it’s most suitable for conventional properties built within the last 150 years, which are in reasonable condition. It doesn’t detail every aspect of the property, and only focuses on urgent matters needing attention. It’s not usually suitable for properties in need of renovation, or if you’re planning major alterations.

An HSV includes details of:

• The general condition of the property
• Any major faults in accessible parts of the building that may affect the value
• Any urgent problems that need inspecting by a specialist before you sign a contract
• Results of tests for damp in the walls
• Damage to timbers – including woodworm or rot
• The condition of any damp-proofing, insulation and drainage (though drains aren’t tested)
• The estimated cost of rebuilding the property for insurance purposes
• The value of the property on the open market

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