AV McDonald & Company Property Consultants Limited
Trading as New Home Surveys
These Terms & Conditions apply to all Snag List Surveys, Pre-Purchase Structural Surveys, Building Inspections, Reports, and related professional services carried out by AV McDonald & Company Property Consultants Limited, trading as New Home Surveys (“the Company”).
By instructing the Company, the Client agrees to these Terms & Conditions in full.
1. Definitions
For the purposes of these Terms & Conditions:
“Company” means AV McDonald & Company Property Consultants Limited, trading as New Home Surveys.
“Client” means the individual, company, organisation, or party instructing the Company to undertake the Services.
“Property” means the dwelling, apartment, building, or premises subject to inspection.
“Services” means the Snag List Survey, Pre-Purchase Structural Survey, inspection, consultancy, report preparation, thermal scan inspection, and associated professional services provided by the Company.
“Report” means the written report and findings issued by the Company following inspection of the Property.
2. Scope of Services
2.1
The Company specialises in:
- Snag List Surveys on new properties
- Pre-Purchase Structural Surveys on new and second-hand residential properties throughout Ireland
2.2
The inspection is limited to a visual, non-invasive assessment of the reasonably accessible areas of the Property at the time of inspection.
2.3
Standard surveys for 3, 4, and 5-bedroom properties generally include inspection of:
- Attic
- Bedrooms
- Living room
- Kitchen
- Utility room
- Bathrooms
- One staircase and landing area
2.4
Additional rooms or areas, including but not limited to the following, shall incur an additional charge of €30 plus VAT per room or area inspected:
- Offices
- Garages
- Outbuildings
- Additional staircases and landings
- Breakfast rooms
- Studies
- Sunrooms or similar areas
2.5
Properties exceeding 200 square metres may incur additional charges. Clients are advised to contact the Company directly for pricing confirmation prior to inspection.
2.6
Thermal imaging inspection of underfloor heating systems is included as standard where underfloor heating is installed and operational at the time of inspection.
2.7
Electrical power points are checked for power supply as part of the standard inspection. However, this does not constitute an electrical certification or full electrical safety test.
2.8
Follow-up inspections, re-inspections, snag sign-off inspections, or return site visits shall incur an additional fee. Clients should contact the Company directly for applicable rates.
3. Nature of Inspection
3.1
Surveys carried out by the Company are visual inspections only and do not involve destructive or invasive investigations.
3.2
The inspection does not include:
- Opening up of walls, ceilings, floors, or structures
- Moving furniture, stored contents, or floor coverings
- Specialist testing unless specifically agreed in writing
- Certification of compliance with Building Regulations or Planning Permission
3.3
The Company shall use reasonable professional skill, care, and diligence in identifying visible defects, workmanship issues, and structural concerns observed during the inspection.
3.4
Hidden or latent defects may exist which are not reasonably detectable during a visual inspection.
3.5
Areas that are inaccessible, unsafe, locked, obstructed, or concealed at the time of inspection are excluded from the survey and may not be commented upon within the Report.
4. Structural Surveys
4.1
Pre-Purchase Structural Surveys are intended to provide the Client with an independent professional opinion regarding the general condition of the Property at the date of inspection.
4.2
The Company shall make reasonable efforts to identify visible signs of:
- Structural movement
- Cracking
- Dampness
- Water ingress
- Timber deterioration
- Roof defects
- General building deterioration
- Defective workmanship
4.3
The Report reflects the condition of the Property at the date and time of inspection only.
4.4
Where concerns are identified, the Company may recommend further investigation by appropriately qualified specialists or contractors.
5. Exclusions
5.1
Unless specifically agreed in writing, the Services do not include:
- Electrical certification
- Plumbing or heating certification
- Drainage surveys
- BER assessments
- Pyrite, mica, or radon testing
- Asbestos identification
- Environmental assessments
- Legal title investigations
- Boundary verification
- Valuations
- Compliance certification
- Timber infestation investigations
5.2
The Company accepts no responsibility for hidden or latent defects concealed by finishes, furnishings, insulation, stored items, or inaccessible areas.
6. Reports
6.1
Reports are prepared solely for the benefit of the Client named within the Report.
6.2
No responsibility or liability is accepted to any third party who may rely upon the Report without prior written consent from the Company.
6.3
Reports are generally issued electronically within 24 to 72 hours following inspection, unless otherwise agreed.
6.4
The Company reserves the right to withhold Reports and associated documentation until all outstanding fees have been paid in full.
7. Fees & Payment Terms
7.1
All quotations issued by the Company are exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.
7.2
Payment is due immediately upon receipt of invoice.
7.3
The Company reserves the right to request payment in advance of the inspection date.
7.4
Reports, photographs, and associated documentation remain the property of the Company until payment has been received in full.
7.5
Where payment remains outstanding, the Company reserves the right to:
- Withhold Reports
- Charge interest on overdue accounts
- Recover reasonable debt collection and legal costs incurred
7.6
Interest may be charged on overdue accounts in accordance with the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012.
7.7
Quotations remain valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.
8. Cancellation & Rescheduling
8.1
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur a cancellation fee.
8.2
If the surveyor attends the Property and access is unavailable or denied, a call-out fee may apply.
8.3
The Company reserves the right to rearrange inspections due to illness, severe weather conditions, emergencies, or circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
9. Limitation of Liability
9.1
The Company shall exercise reasonable professional skill, care, and diligence in carrying out the Services.
9.2
The Company’s total liability arising from the Services shall be limited to the amount of the fee paid by the Client for the inspection and Report.
9.3
The Company shall not be liable for:
- Hidden or latent defects
- Future deterioration of the Property
- Consequential or indirect losses
- Costs associated with third-party remedial works
- Loss of profit, business interruption, or diminution in property value
9.4
Nothing within these Terms & Conditions shall exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence where prohibited by law.
10. Intellectual Property & Confidentiality
10.1
All Reports, photographs, thermal images, drawings, and documentation remain the intellectual property of the Company.
10.2
Reports may not be copied, reproduced, amended, published, or distributed to third parties without prior written consent from the Company.
10.3
Client information shall remain confidential except where disclosure is required by law.
11. Complaints Procedure
11.1
Any complaint concerning the Services or Report must be submitted in writing within 14 days of receipt of the Report.
11.2
The Company shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to investigate and respond to any complaint prior to remedial works being undertaken.
12. Data Protection
12.1
The Company shall process personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, and applicable Irish Data Protection legislation.
12.2
Client information shall only be used for purposes directly related to the provision of the Services.
13. Governing Law
13.1
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Ireland.
13.2
Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish Courts.
14. Acceptance
Instruction of AV McDonald & Company Property Consultants Limited, trading as New Home Surveys, to carry out the Services shall constitute acceptance of these Terms & Conditions in full.
AV McDonald & Company Property Consultants Limited
Trading as New Home Surveys
Professional Snag List & Structural Survey Specialists
Covering All Ireland