Pre-Purchase Services
Nash Baker Architects are experienced in supporting their clients when searching for their next home; by helping them imagine the development potential and design opportunities presented by each property, as well as understand the potential risks and complexities.
This can range from assessing development land, Listed Buildings, or a newly constructed apartment. Regardless of property type, or size, we believe there is value in speaking to an architect before purchasing your next home.
Every property assessment is different, and we vary our approach depending on the questions our clients have and the likely risks and complexities the property presents. However, typically we undertake some, or all, of the following services when our clients find a property they like:
Make a preliminary desktop assessment based upon agent’s particulars, online resources, and our local knowledge.
Assuming the desktop assessment is broadly positive, we would visit the property to undertake a visual assessment of the current condition of the house. If you are unable to attend, we would take picture and videos which we can share with you afterwards.
Consider the need for maintenance and repairs in the short or medium term.
Consider the opportunities and restrictions on adapting and improving the property to meet your requirements and add value. This is done with consideration given to the need for approvals, such as planning and listed building consent.
Advise on the potential risks in obtaining the approvals, such as planning, listed building, building regulations, estates approval and party wall awards.
Advise on the need for additional reports i.e. – structural, damp, trees, asbestos etc.
Based up the available information we can do a design feasibility study. These are normally hand drawn sketches, but sometimes clients require more thorough resolved proposals, or 3D models, to understand the possibilities.
Advise on likely development costs and timescales.
Review and comment on legal paperwork provided by the vendor.
Fees
If we feel there are reasons to pass over a property, we will share this with you immediately instead of continuing to incur time costs. However, when a property is promising we naturally spend more time on these assessments. Typically, we spend between 2 to 16 hours on each property assessment, depending on how promising it is. Due to the indeterminable nature of this work, our fees are charged on a Time Charge basis.
Terms & Conditions
We typically use the ‘RIBA Domestic Professional Services Contract 2020, Architectural Services’ for our appointments. If you wish to instruct Nash Baker Limited to provide Pre-Purchase Advice the terms and conditions set out in this contract shall apply. A specimen of this contract can be download from HERE.
