Terms of Service

1. About These Terms

These terms of service set out the conditions under which JBS Surveying LTD ("the Surveyor") provides survey and valuation services to you ("the Client"). By instructing us to carry out a survey, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not accept these terms, please do not proceed with your instruction.

2. Scope of Works

2.1 Survey Type

We will carry out the survey type you have requested and agreed upon:

• RICS Level 1 (Condition Report): A brief visual assessment of the property's general condition
• RICS Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report): A more detailed inspection including structural elements, services, and identification of defects
• RICS Level 3 (Full Structural Survey): Comprehensive inspection with detailed assessment, testing, and recommendations
• Red Book Valuation: A valuation prepared for the client, purpose and intended users identified in the terms of engagement

2.2 What the Surveyor Will Do

• Carry out a visual inspection of the property in accordance with the survey type agreed
• Prepare a clear, written report of findings within the timeframe stated in the accepted quotation or terms of engagement
• Follow up to discuss the report and answer your questions
• Advise on repairs, further investigations, or defects identified during the survey

2.3 Limitations of Inspection

The surveyor:

• Will not remove fixtures or investigate areas not reasonably accessible
• Will not move fitted furniture or carpets
• Will not examine specialist systems in detail (e.g. HVAC, specialist security systems) unless specifically instructed
• Will not take invasive samples or carry out laboratory testing unless separately agreed and paid for
• Will not provide advice on planning, legal, or boundary issues (though we may flag concerns for your solicitor to investigate)
• Will not assess environmental or contamination risks (for which specialist consultants should be engaged)

3. Fees & Payment Terms

3.1 Quotation & Acceptance

A quotation will be provided following your enquiry. The fee is based on the survey type, property location, and complexity. Once you confirm the quotation, a survey instruction is accepted and you are committed to paying the agreed fee.

3.2 Payment Terms

• A deposit of 50% is required to confirm the survey date
• The balance is due on completion of the survey (or before the report is released, at the Surveyor's discretion)
• Invoices are payable within 7 days unless otherwise agreed
• Payment can be made by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card (processing fees apply to credit card payments)

3.3 Additional Fees

Additional charges may apply for:

• Additional site visits or follow-up inspections
• Specialist testing or investigations (e.g. damp testing, electrical testing)
• Travel outside the agreed survey area
• Multiple properties or extended inspections

3.4 Cancellation & Refunds

• Cancellations made more than 10 working days before the survey will receive a full refund of the deposit
• Cancellations made less than 10 working days before the survey will forfeit the deposit
• If the surveyor must cancel due to illness, emergency, or other unavoidable circumstances, a full refund will be offered or the survey rescheduled

4. The Survey Report

4.1 Report Delivery

The target delivery date will be stated in the accepted quotation or terms of engagement and may vary with the service scope, property complexity, access and any agreed additional investigation. The report will normally be provided electronically in PDF format.

4.2 Use of the Report

• The report is prepared for your use only and is confidential
• You may share the report for information where permitted by its terms, but this does not make a third party an intended user or give that party a right to rely on it
• You may not publish the report, extract sections, or use it for any purpose other than the transaction for which it was prepared without the Surveyor's written consent
• If the report is to be used for purposes other than the original instruction (e.g. for a different property transaction, litigation, or third-party use), this must be agreed in advance and may incur additional fees

4.3 Inspection and Valuation Date

A report describes the information and condition reasonably apparent at the inspection date; a valuation is made at its stated valuation date. Property condition and markets can change. If circumstances change, the transaction is delayed or new information emerges, ask whether updated advice or a further inspection is required.

5. Specialist Advice

The surveyor will advise when further specialist investigations are necessary (e.g. electrical test, asbestos survey, specialist damp testing). These services are not included in the standard survey fee and require separate instruction and cost.

6. Liability & Limitations

6.1 Professional Standards

The survey is carried out in accordance with RICS professional standards and the surveyor's professional expertise. However, it is not possible to identify every defect in a property. Surveys are based on visual inspection only and do not cover invasive or destructive testing unless specifically instructed.

6.2 Limitation of Liability

The liability provisions that apply to an instruction are those in the quotation and terms of engagement accepted for that particular service. They may include proportionate-liability wording, exclusions and a stated financial cap.

• Read the service-specific cap and exclusions before accepting the instruction
• No website summary changes the signed or accepted terms of engagement
• Nothing excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful

6.3 Third-Party Reliance

The report is prepared for the client and intended users identified in the terms of engagement, for the stated purpose. Sharing a report for information does not create a right for another person to rely on it. Any agreed third-party reliance must be recorded expressly in writing before the report is issued.

7. Insurance

JBS Surveying LTD maintains professional indemnity insurance in accordance with its regulatory and policy requirements. Whether a particular claim is covered depends on the policy terms and circumstances. Details of our insurance arrangements are available on request where appropriate.

8. RICS Standards & Regulation

JBS Surveying LTD is regulated by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). All survey work is carried out in accordance with RICS professional standards and the RICS Code of Conduct. If you have a complaint about our service, please refer to Section 9 below and our separate Complaints Procedure.

9. Complaints Procedure

If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, please contact us:

We will handle complaints under our published Complaints Handling Procedure. If the matter is not resolved, that procedure explains the available independent alternative dispute resolution provider and how to contact it. See our separate Complaints Policy for full details.

10. Confidentiality

We treat all client information as confidential. Your personal and property information will not be disclosed to third parties except where required by law or with your written consent.

11. General Terms

11.1 Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Court jurisdiction and any prior or alternative dispute-resolution steps are governed by the accepted terms of engagement and applicable law.

11.2 Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update these terms at any time. Changes will be notified to clients in writing. Your continued instruction to carry out further surveys indicates acceptance of the updated terms.

11.3 Entire Agreement

These terms, together with your written quotation and the survey instruction, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Surveyor and supersede any previous communications or agreements.

12. Contact & Enquiries

For any questions about these terms or to discuss your survey requirements, please contact: