Common residential defects can become misleading in a draft report if location, extent or uncertainty is lost during handover. Clear instructions are particularly valuable when discussing dampness, cracking and roof defects.
Damp-related observations
Record where moisture readings were taken, the instrument used where relevant, the condition of finishes and any associated external defects. A reading alone does not establish the cause. Make clear whether the proposed explanation is observed, suspected or requires further investigation.
Cracking
Identify the affected element, direction, approximate width where measured and whether associated distortion was seen. Avoid assigning structural significance from a photograph alone. The inspecting surveyor should specify any recommendation for monitoring or engineering advice.
Roof conditions
Distinguish the main covering from secondary roofs and record visible defects, access constraints and relevant weather conditions. A roof observed from ground level cannot support the same statements as one closely inspected from a safe vantage point.
Communicate uncertainty
A good briefing identifies what is known, what is plausible and what the surveyor wants the purchaser to do next. Writers should query contradictions rather than convert possibilities into facts.
Check advice before issue
Technical conclusions and the final recommendations remain the surveyor's responsibility. Review them against notes and photographs, especially where defects interact across different elements.
The Survey Edit turns surveyor-provided Level 2 inspection records into structured report drafts, with the professional's judgement remaining central.
You inspect. We write.