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
• Valuation for Mortgage: A mortgagee's valuation prepared for your lender
• Red Book Valuation: A formal valuation report to RICS professional standards

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 agreed (typically 3–5 working days)
• 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 survey report will be delivered by email within 3–5 working days of the inspection. The report will be prepared in PDF format and will be clear, professional, and written in plain English for your understanding.

4.2 Use of the Report

• The report is prepared for your use only and is confidential
• You may share the report with your solicitor, lender, or mortgage broker as needed for the transaction
• 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 Report Validity

The survey and report are valid for 3 months from the inspection date. If more than 3 months have passed and significant changes have occurred, the property should be re-inspected.

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

JBS Surveying LTD's liability for any breach of these terms is limited to:

• Direct loss or damage directly caused by the surveyor's negligence
• Liability is capped at the fee paid for the survey, or £100,000, whichever is lower
• The Surveyor is not liable for indirect, consequential, or economic loss (e.g. loss of opportunity to purchase the property, diminution in value, or business losses)

6.3 Third-Party Reliance

The report is prepared for the named client only. Third parties (including lenders, solicitors, or future purchasers) rely on the report at their own risk. The surveyor assumes no duty of care to third parties, and third parties have no right to claim against the surveyor except where the report is used for a lender's valuation (in which case the lender may have separate contractual rights).

7. Insurance

JBS Surveying LTD maintains professional indemnity insurance covering survey and valuation work. This insurance protects you against negligence claims. Details of our insurance cover are available on request.

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 aim to resolve complaints within 7 working days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to refer your complaint to RICS, who operate the Surveyors Ombudsman scheme. 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. Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts or, where applicable, RICS dispute resolution.

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: