Marshalls Chartered Surveyors are the independent Chartered Surveyors with offices in Oxford, Didcot, Newbury, Reading, Swindon and Witney.

Marshalls cover Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire and adjoining areas of Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds.

Marshalls Chartered Surveyors are friendly, highly qualified professionals, experienced in all property types. We offer value for money, common sense surveys, written in plain English by experienced surveyors.

Our surveyors pride themselves on giving exceptional service and will take time to fully discuss your proposed purchase. 80% of people buying a home do not get a professional survey - most buyers rely on a mortgage valuation, undertaken by their lender. However, this is only intended to give an indication of the value of the property and whether it is a good risk for the lender. It is not an indication of the condition of the property nor does it provide advice to the purchaser on the action they need to take to remedy any defects. Many mortgage valuations are now undertaken on a drive-by or desk top basis and often the property is never physically viewed.

There are two different types of residential survey undertaken by Marshalls:

The Building Survey (often called The Structural Survey), which is our most detailed report, is suitable for all property types. The property will be subject to a thorough and detailed survey of all areas. The survey report is detailed, but written in plain English and richly illustrated in full colour with numerous photographs. We will telephone you with an initial verbal report outlining our survey findings. The written report will follow within hours - we aim to send the survey within 48 hours. Quote.

There is also the much less detailed RICS HomeBuyer Service, a report on condition suitable for most property, from the 1920's to the present day. This type of survey is also ideal for flats and maisonettes. The HomeBuyer report is written in a set format laid down by our governing body, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors using mainly standard phraseology. The Homebuyer report is more generalised and brief than a building survey, but it will highlight any significant defects. Minor defects are not usually reported. The Homebuyer Service also includes a market valuation and an insurance reinstatement cost assessment. Quote.

You probably won't commission many surveys in your life, so don't settle for second best - use Marshalls.

Market News
The July RICS Housing Market Survey shows more surveyors are now seeing falling rather than rising prices, with the headline price balance slipping from +8 to -8, the first negative reading since July 2009.

The weaker trend in prices is being driven by increasing new vendor instructions (supply) and falling new buyer enquiries (demand). Indeed, the new instructions balance increased from +28 to +33, the highest reading since May 2007. Anecdotal evidence from surveyors suggests the rise in new instructions is primarily related to homeowners testing the market following the abolishment of HIPs in late May, rather than due to distressed selling.

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