Which Survey do I need?
That depends on what information you are looking for, for example: are you buying a property but want to make sure there are no hidden problems? Or do you need to know the value of your home for tax or matrimonial purposes? Perhaps you are considering buying a unique or listed property and you have specific concerns?
Compare Our Services at a Glance...
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Service Features
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Describes the construction and condition of the
property on the date of the inspection
Aims to identify any problems that need
urgent attention or are serious
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Aims to identify things that need to be investigated
further to prevent serious damage
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Aims to tell you about problems that may be dangerous
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Aims to show up potential issues and defects
before any transaction takes place
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Aims to help you decide whether you need extra
advice before committing to purchase
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Aims to enable you to budget for repairs or restoration
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Aims to advise you on the amount of ongoing
maintenance required in the future
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Provides a reinstatement cost to help you avoid
under or over-insurance
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Provides a market valuation
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Aims to establish how property is built, materials used, and how these will perform in future
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Aims to describe visible defects, plus exposing potential problems posed by hidden defects
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Aims to outline repair options, give you a repair
timeline, and explain consequences of not acting
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Where practical and agreed in advance, provides an estimate of costs for identified repairs
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Provide specific comments on energy efficiency.
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Choose this report to get a Market Value of a home and also if you are looking to repay a Help to Buy Loan. Valuations are conducted by an RICS registered valuer to Red Book standards - the professional guidelines that are the gold standard for valuation. Valuations include a site visit alongside considerable desktop research, the combined evidence of the two supporting a market value. The property's insurance reinstatement value is also included.
Please note: a valuation does not include potentially costly property defects if they are deemed not to affect the property's Market Value. If you have specific concerns about the condition of the property then a Level 2 Survey may be more appropriate.
(formerly called a 'Homebuyers Report')
Choose this report if you need more extensive information whilst buying or selling a conventional house or flat, built from common building materials and in reasonable condition. The focus is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property. This intermediate level of service includes a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but does not test any services. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems.
Please note: a valuation can be added to a Level 2 survey for an additional fee.
(formerly called a 'Building Survey' or 'Structural Survey')
This is the most detailed report available and is recommended if the property is particularly large, unique, listed, or in a poor state of repair.This report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. Additionally, it will: describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected; propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection; outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair; make general recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary work.
Please note: a valuation can be added to a Level 3 survey for an additional fee.
Our most popular option, suitable for most properties:
RICS Home Survey (Level 2)
Formerly known as a 'RICS Homebuyers Report'
£499 including VAT