SKYWORK.AI DOCUMENT BRIEF
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Title: The Ultimate Property Viewing Checklist
Format: PDF, A4, ~12 pages
Tone: Practical, reassuring, expert — like advice from a trusted friend who's a surveyor
Audience: UK first-time buyers and second-steppers preparing for property viewings

COVER PAGE
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Headline: "The Ultimate Property Viewing Checklist"
Subheadline: "50+ things to check so you never miss a red flag"
Tagline: "Free from Findo — the home buying intelligence platform"
Visual direction: Clean, minimal — checklist icon, teal/white colour palette

INTRO (1 page)
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Hook: Most buyers remember the kitchen and forget the roof.
Body: Explain why viewings feel overwhelming, why sellers present properties at their best, and why having a structured checklist changes the outcome. Mention that professional surveyors have checklists — so should you.
Promise: By the end of this checklist, you'll know exactly what to look for, what to ask, and how to score each property so you can compare viewings objectively.

SECTION 1: STRUCTURE & EXTERIOR (10 items)
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Intro line: "Start outside. Problems here are expensive."
Checklist items:
1. Roof condition — missing/broken tiles, sagging ridgeline, visible moss
2. Chimney stacks — pointing intact, no lean or cracking
3. External walls — no bulging, staining, or large cracks (diagonal = subsidence risk)
4. Gutters & downpipes — no overflow marks, blockages, or rust
5. Window frames — rot in timber, failed seals (misted double glazing), ease of opening
6. Damp patches on external walls — tide marks, green algae staining
7. Drains & manholes — accessible, no odour, no backing up
8. Boundaries & fences — who owns them? Any disputes? Confirmed in title?
9. Garage/outbuildings — structural condition, damp, electrics present?
10. Access & parking — right of way, dropped kerb, parking permit zone?
Tip box: "Diagonal cracks from corners of windows/doors are the most common sign of subsidence. Don't panic — get a structural engineer to assess before pulling out."

SECTION 2: INTERIOR ROOM BY ROOM (10 items)
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Intro line: "Walk slowly. Sellers stage rooms to distract."
Checklist items:
1. Ceilings — staining, cracks, sagging, fresh paint patches
2. Walls — cracks, bowing, fresh paint over damp, cold spots
3. Floors — bounce or flex (structural), squeaking, uneven levels, cold underfoot
4. Doors — do they open/close properly? Sticking = movement in the structure
5. Windows — open/close freely, condensation between panes, thermal feel
6. Storage — adequate for your needs, built-in wardrobe depths
7. Natural light — which direction does each room face? Morning/evening light?
8. Noise — road noise, neighbouring properties, thin walls/floors between flats
9. Smells — damp, mould, gas, pet odour, heavy air fresheners (masking something?)
10. Room dimensions — measure key rooms against your furniture if in doubt
Tip box: "Open cupboards under the stairs, under sinks, and at the back of wardrobes. These are where damp hides. Sellers know this too."

SECTION 3: KEY SERVICES (8 items)
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Intro line: "Services are invisible until they fail. Check them now."
Checklist items:
1. Boiler — age, last service date, make/model (check reliability ratings), controls
2. Consumer unit (fuse box) — modern RCBO board or old fuse wire? Age of wiring?
3. Water pressure — run taps upstairs, flush toilet while shower is on
4. Broadband — check Openreach availability for the postcode (speeds, FTTP available?)
5. Heating system — radiators hot top and bottom? Thermostatic valves working?
6. Ventilation — extractor fans in kitchen/bathroom, trickle vents in windows
7. EPC rating — ask for the certificate, check recommendations and cost to improve
8. Smart meter — present? Which supplier? Easy to switch?
Tip box: "A boiler over 10 years old may need replacing within 2-3 years. Factor £2,500–£4,000 into your offer/budget calculation."

SECTION 4: RED FLAGS TO SPOT (8 items)
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Intro line: "These don't mean walk away — they mean negotiate hard or walk away informed."
Items:
1. Fresh paint on isolated patches — often masking damp or cracks
2. Hairline cracks that have been filled multiple times — active movement
3. Springy or bouncy wooden floors — joist rot underneath
4. Brown staining on ceilings — old or active roof/plumbing leak
5. Heavy condensation on windows — ventilation issue, potential mould behind furniture
6. Uneven floor levels between rooms — settlement, subsidence, or bodged DIY
7. Pest evidence — droppings, gnaw marks, entry holes, wasp nests in loft
8. Removed walls without RSJ — structural integrity risk, check building regs
Tip box: "Ask: 'Has any building work been done? Do you have the building regulations completion certificate?' If they can't produce it, factor in the cost of a structural warranty."

SECTION 5: QUESTIONS TO ASK THE AGENT (10 questions)
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Intro line: "Agents are obligated to answer honestly. Use that."
Questions:
1. Why is the seller moving? (Distress sellers may accept lower offers)
2. How long has it been on the market? Any price reductions?
3. Have any offers fallen through? Why?
4. Are there any neighbour disputes or issues the seller is required to disclose?
5. Is there any planning permission nearby that the seller is aware of?
6. What is the lease length and annual service charge? (flats only)
7. What is the property's flood risk rating? (check Environment Agency too)
8. What broadband speed is achievable at this address?
9. Has a survey been done previously? Can you see the results?
10. Is there a chain? How many properties? What's the current status?
Tip box: "Always ask question 3. A property with two previous fallen sales often has a problem that previous buyers discovered — a survey, a legal issue, or a structural defect. Find out."

SCORING SUMMARY (1 page)
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Design: Simple scoring grid — rate each of the 5 sections out of 10
Sections: Structure, Interior, Services, Red Flags (inverse — lower = better), Overall Feel
Total score: /50
Threshold guide:
- 40–50: Strong candidate. Book a second viewing.
- 30–39: Potential. Identify the weak sections and cost the fixes.
- Below 30: Caution. Get a full structural survey before proceeding.
Note: "This is your gut-check tool. Pair it with a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey before exchanging."

BACK PAGE
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Headline: "Now shortlist smarter."
Body: "Findo pulls every property you're considering into one dashboard — costs, location scores, comparison tools, and AI analysis. Free to join."
CTA: "findo.co"
Tagline: "Home buying intelligence for serious buyers."