The present system of surveys - faults of the system - types of survey - legal liability - can I do my own survey?; choosing, viewing, buying - choosing your house - the cardinal rule - costs - preliminary inspections - making an offer - auctions and surveys; survey and sell - survey technique - preparation - choosing an estate agent - showing - sold?; building and structural defects - BRE investigation - woodworm and fungal decay of timber - dampness and condensation - roofs - foundations and walls; flats, party walls and timber-frame houses - flats and party walls - timber-frame controversy - using timber-frame - official reports - precautions and surveys; drainage, water, gas and electrical services - septic tanks; detailed sequence and method of survey - equipment - sequence of inspections - outbuildings - services - fencing and vegetation - measurement of house and boundaries - negotiation; the future - future legislation - caveat emptor (buyer beware).
