The company

Invest safely: always have a survey before you buy

Mark Paddon, a British building surveyor registered in Spain, inspects homes on the Costa Blanca before the buyer signs and reports the defects he finds in English.

Who he is

Mark Paddon graduated with first-class honours in Building Surveying from Liverpool John Moores University in 1992. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Building (no. 1470272) and a registered arquitecto técnico with CAATIE Valencia (no. 5949). He has lived and worked on the Costa Blanca since 2002, and his professional indemnity insurance is underwritten through Lloyd's of London.

According to his website, he has consulted for UK Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV programmes such as 'Homes from Hell', 'Cowboy Builders' and 'Selling Houses Abroad'.

What he checks

An average survey means around two hours at the property. He looks for the defects most common in Spain — insect attack including termites, decay of reinforced concrete, water pipe decay and slope subsidence — and includes a damp meter inspection, with infrared and CCTV camera inspections where required. Reports are emailed within about 48 hours of access to the property, once payment is received.

Services

Besides buyer's surveys, he carries out interim inspections of new builds before the final payment, snagging on completion, advice for owners with specific defects (timber decay, cracking, damp, pools or retaining walls) and expert reports for court actions, insurers and ten-year 'decenal' insurance claims.

Fees

Prices published on his website (plus VAT):

• Full written reportfrom €775 (3-bed villa in Jávea or Moraira)
• Accompanied walk-through€295 apartment · €395 villa
• On-site verbal advicefrom €195
• Travel over 1 hr round trip€45 per hour plus tolls
• Properties worth €1m or more0.1% of value

Initial advice and quotes are free. He also emails a free 16-page Spanish home buyer's guide.

Text by Class & Villas based on information published by the company.