::THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF BUILDING SURVEY MALAYSIA::

1. Who need a Pre-Purchase (Pre-Buying)/ Due Diligence Survey?

If you are a prospective building buyer of a property. Many buyers are uncertain as to what they need. In purchasing a building / property you are about to make a very large investment and with this in mind a comprehensive "Pre-purchase Building Survey or Due Diligence Survey" may be the safest choice.

2. What is the difference between Pre-Purchase Surveys (Due Diligence Surveys) and a simple Building Valuation?

• Building valuation

A valuation isn’t a survey. This is simply the value of the property, and though it includes a few comments on the condition of the building, is intended only to enable the lender, such as a bank, to determine the safety of their investment.

• Pre-purchase condition survey or Due Diligence Survey

A detailed survey carried out by a Registered Building Surveyor (or Building Inspector) from BSC Building Surveyors & Consultants is to assess the condition of the building, in particular, the structure, fabrics and components, finishes, services and safety requirements. Surveys are a kind of ‘health check’ for buildings by a building doctor. If you’re buying a property, you should have a building survey done by a Registered Building Surveyor before you enter into a contract – or before making an offer.

A building survey done by a Registered Building Surveyor can actually save your money. If there are serious building problems, you can often re-negotiate the sale price of the building / property to reflect the cost of necessary repairs – or you may even decide you don’t want to buy the building at all.

There may be hidden building problems in the property that would cost a huge amount to put right – and they won’t appear in the valuation report. Which is why it’s really important you have a Pre-purchase Building Survey or Due Diligence Survey done by a Registered Building Surveyor.

‘Having a pre-purchase building survey by a Registered Building Surveyor makes good sense – and could save you thousands of Ringgit in repair bills’

3. When a Pre-Purchase Survey or Due Diligence Survey is required?

The pre-purchase condition survey is to be conducted by a Registered Building Surveyor before a purchase of a property.

4. What is the purpose of a Pre-Purchase Survey or Due Diligence Survey?

The purpose of the building surveys is to provide an opinion on the building condition or the general presentation of a property.

The pre-purchase building survey will assist the prospective buyers to have a good understanding on the property before they purchase the property, as the building survey report done by a Registered Building Surveyor provides information on building defects, building hazards, explaining what current repairs and future maintenance are needed and estimating how much they will cost. In other words, the pre-purchase survey report contains our findings and condition assessment for use by the buyers in consideration of their purchase of the property, or to decide whether or not the property is a reasonable purchase at agreed price. The Registered Building Surveyors also give their opinion on the particular features of the property which may affect its future resale.

"Should you contemplate purchasing a property, we strongly recommend that you obtain a Registered Building Surveyor’s report prior to your purchase. Some faults of the property will be important or costly to remedy."

1. What is a Dilapidation Survey?

Dilapidation Survey is also known as a pre-construction condition in Malaysia. A dilapidation survey done by a Registered Building Surveyor is an inspection of the existing structural condition of of the surrounding buildings before the commencement of a demolition, construction or development. All prominent defects in the form of cracks, settlement, water seepage, corrosion of reinforcement, subsidence and other building defects will be recorded in photographs together with notes.

A Post-Construction Condition Survey will highlight any building defects that have occurred (or caused by the construction works) since the first survey, or after a construction.

2. When a Dilapidation Survey is required?

A dilapidation survey shall be conducted by a Registered Building Surveyor before the commencement of a demolition, construction or development.

For Contractors & Developers:

• Before you carry out any excavation, piling works, demolition, renovation or construction of a new development. A formal dilapidation survey can save you from unnecessary claims.

For Property Owners:

• Before renovation, alteration & addition (A & A), demolition, construction or reconstruction work carried out at your neighbouring areas.

• Before major aboveground or underground construction works carried out in the surrounding areas of your property.

In a post construction condition survey, an building inspection and a comparison will be made against the dilapidation survey/ pre-construction condition survey.

3. What is the purpose of a Dilapidation Survey?

The purpose of the building surveys is to provide an accurate record, pre construction and post construction works, of the condition of the buildings. While it is not expected that neighbouring construction will cause damage to any building, the survey is undertaken as a precautionary measure.

The survey report done by a Registered Building Surveyor will assist the building owners, contractors and developers in the event of a claim for damage, as the building survey report provides written documentation on the pre-construction condition of the property.