Services Provided

Pre-purchase French property surveys

Ian Morris offers the following options:

• A detailed survey and a detailed (dictated) report (view sample PDF).
• The same (detailed) survey but with a summary type report – identifying only the problems, or potential problems, discovered during the survey. The summary type report is shorter than a detailed report and this option is therefore less expensive (view sample PDF).
• A survey with a verbal report, either at the property or by telephone afterwards, at the client’s option; no written report is provided so this service is the least expensive.
• Fixed fees for pre-purchase surveys are always quoted in advance (see FAQ)

Click here to see a selection of properties that Ian surveyed last year

Accepting a new building

If you are buying a newly built house, and are being asked to sign an acceptance document, Ian Morris will accompany you on the “handover” appointment to see that everything is as it should be; he will discuss any relevant items with the builder on your behalf and will, if required, produce a “snagging list” in French. A “fixed fee” for this service can normally be quoted in advance.

Diagnosis of building problems

If you are worried about one particular thing, or just one or two items, in the house you are about to buy (or in the house you already occupy) Ian Morris will investigate. The advice he gives will be based on a lifetime’s experience of delving into all manner of building problems: This is sometimes referred to as forensic building surveying. A “fixed fee” for this service is quoted in advance wherever possible.

Advice on future alterations, building repairs and maintenance

Ian Morris is able to advise not only in his capacity as a professional building surveyor but also as the owner/occupier of a French house.

Translation Services

Aside from surveying work we are able to offer “in house” a prompt and confidential translation service (French to English – English to French) undertaken by a professionally qualified translator  with a University of London post-graduate diploma in translating and interpreting.

Anne-Marie has 7 years’ professional translation experience in France (5 years in Paris, and subsequently in Languedoc-Roussillon) with specialist experience in corporate and legal/litigation work, business contracts, expert reports, newsletters, PR, commerce, and social and environmental issues.  She is also able to undertake “consecutive interpretation” – accompanying you at business meetings, meetings with lawyers, professionals, etc.

For a fee quotation, without obligation, e-mail Anne-Marie direct at Anne-Marie@french-surveys.com