5 Reasons Why You Need to Hire a Property Surveyor in Lagos

If you are thinking about buying a new home or office space in Lagos, you may be nervous about avoiding the pitfalls of an unscrupulous landlord or dodgy real estate agent. Even if your realtor is trustworthy and ethical, there are plenty of other things to think about before signing on the dotted line. If you don’t have experience with property surveys and inspections, buying a property in Lagos can be tricky. Whether it’s a commercial building or a house, there are numerous important factors that you need to take into account before signing any contracts. A good property surveyor will help you understand more about the property, which will save you money and stress in the long run.

Why is a property survey so important?

A property survey is a thorough examination of the property in question. It can include structural surveys, electrical surveys, plumbing surveys, and other types of surveys, depending on the needs of the client. A property surveyor will examine the property from top to bottom and make suggestions and recommendations for any issues that they find. Property surveys are critical in Lagos, as the city is growing rapidly and buildings are being constructed at a breakneck pace. An older building may have been built without any of the safety or structural requirements that newer buildings have. An experienced surveyor will be able to identify any issues with the building itself and make recommendations for repairs or improvements. These surveys can be very time-consuming, especially for older buildings. When you make an offer on a property, your realtor will likely require a survey before they will sign off on the sale. A survey is your best line of defense against hidden problems in the building such as faulty electrical wiring, asbestos, or lead paint.

Check for structural damage

Structural damage doesn’t just refer to cracks in the walls or the foundation but can also refer to problems with the roof, plumbing, or wiring in the building. A quality surveyor will be able to tell you the condition of the roof, plumbing, and wiring in the building. If any of these items need to be replaced, you’ll want to know before you buy the building so you can negotiate a lower price or decide not to buy the building at all. A roof that needs to be replaced will likely cost thousands of dollars, and an old roof that leaks can cause water damage throughout the rest of the building. If the plumbing is old, it may break and cause flooding, which can result in thousands of dollars of damage to the building. Wiring that is frayed or broken may spark and start a fire.

Check for contamination

Asbestos, lead paint, and lead dust are common contaminants in older buildings. Asbestos and lead paint were used heavily in construction up until the 1980s. Lead paint is especially dangerous for kids and pets who may ingest it and breathe it in. If asbestos or lead paint is found in the building, it will likely need to be removed by a professional. If homeowners don’t remove asbestos and lead paint, they face large fines. If a real estate agent or homeowner doesn’t disclose that there is asbestos in the building, they face even more serious fines and penalties and may even go to jail.

Check the boundaries and location

You may have found a dream home, but you don’t have the title to it. Sometimes real estate agents or homeowners sell or rent a property that they don’t actually own. While this kind of fraud is rare, it does happen and can be very difficult to track down. A good surveyor will look at government records and figure out the boundaries of the property, which is the first step in figuring out who owns it. If the property is out of their jurisdiction, they’ll be able to tell you. A surveyor can also tell you whether the property is in a flood zone or has any other issues that would affect its value and usefulness to you.

Check the electrical wiring and plumbing

Newer buildings will likely have new electrical wiring and plumbing, but older buildings may not have been maintained properly. Poorly maintained electrical wiring can spark, cause fires, and trip breakers. If electrical wiring has been poorly maintained, it may be cheaper to rewire the building than try to repair the existing wiring, which can be extremely dangerous. Plumbing that is old or poorly maintained may leak, causing water damage to the building and any furniture or other items nearby.

Check for illegal additions and renovations

Many homeowners add on to their property or renovate without getting the proper permits. If you buy a property that has additions that don’t have permits, you may have to tear them down. You may also owe fines, and the homeowner may face jail time. A surveyor will be able to tell you whether there are any illegal additions to the building, which can save you thousands of dollars in fines and permits.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why hiring a property surveyor is a good idea. An experienced surveyor will be able to check the building for issues and make recommendations for any repairs or improvements that may be needed. A surveyor can also tell you who owns the property, whether it’s in a flood zone, and if there are any illegal additions to the property that need to be taken down. These issues can all be resolved before you sign a contract to buy the building, saving you time, money, and stress in the long run.