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Browse our surveys
Find which survey is right for you and how much a survey may cost.
Structural & Damp Survey
- Bespoke report based on a detailed survey focusing specifically on structural and damp issues, involving an external and internal structure of the property and accessible structure, i.e. the walls, floors, roof structures, cellars, etc. checking for leaks, damp, decay and woodworm, along with major structural defects such as subsidence, cracking, and previous structural alterations such as an extension, the formation of a through room or installation of replacement windows to try and establish if they have lintels above them, etc.
- Suitable for properties obviously needing modernisation and renovation, where you don’t need us to inspect things like heating and electrics (services), window condition (except in relation to structural issues), internal doors, bathrooms and kitchens, etc. for example, but want to be sure there are no structural or damp issues.
- May be suitable for fully refurbished properties, but only if you are fully confident about the quality of the fittings and services; not ideal if the refurbishment workmanship is questionable.
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Does not include grounds, boundaries or garages/permanent outbuildings (unless integral/attached to the main dwelling), but these can be added as an extra.
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Includes inspection and testing of the drains, if considered pertinent to the inspection.
Cost
Starting at £750 and can cost £950+.
RICS Level 2 Home Survey
A survey report format designed to reflect the condition of a traditional property that is more modern, of standard construction and not too big or complicated. Includes many features not found in other, similarly priced surveys, such as:
- A comprehensive inspection of the property, including everything from structural and damp-related issues, to the condition and workmanship of non-structural elements, such as the kitchen, bath/shower rooms, windows, doors, fittings and finishes, heating, and electrics, as well as the grounds, including drains, permanent outbuildings and boundary delineations such as walls and fencing.
- No testing of heating, hot water, electrics, drains, etc.
- A survey report format designed to reflect the condition of a traditional property that is more modern, of standard construction and not too big or complicated.
- Colour-coded condition ratings for quick identification of the important issues, with multiple photographs.
- A jargon-free report that avoids many of the annoying caveats and exclusions found in many survey reports.
Cost
Starting at £850 and can cost £950+.
Level 3 Building Survey
- A bespoke comprehensive report covering the whole building, including comprehensive descriptions of construction, defects, rectification works, and potential defects/consequences of not carrying out repairs.
- Includes testing of heating, hot water, electrics, and drains, where possible.
- Ideally suited to larger, more complex, older, extended or higher value homes.
Cost
Starting at £850 and can cost £1500+.
RICS Level 3 Home Survey
- A comprehensive inspection of the property, including everything from structural and damp-related issues, to the condition and workmanship of non-structural elements, such as the kitchen, bath/shower rooms, windows, doors, fittings and finishes, heating, and electrics, as well as the grounds, including drains, permanent outbuildings and boundary delineations such as walls and fencing.
- No testing of heating, hot water, electrics, drains, etc.
- A survey report format designed to reflect the condition of a traditional property that is more modern, of standard construction and not too big or complicated.
- Colour-coded condition ratings for quick identification of the important issues, with multiple photographs.
- A jargon-free report that avoids many of the annoying caveats and exclusions found in many survey reports.
Cost
Starting at £950 and can cost £1250+.
New Build Survey
- It is the only survey of its type based on industry-compatible standards.
- It is effectively like a snapping report, in that it identifies “snags” in finishing quality.
- It is designed to help avoid buyer/developer conflict by impartially identifying incomplete or cosmetically unacceptable works.
- Focus on the parts of the property you see, touch and use every day.
- It is a thorough survey of the whole property, a bit like a Level 3 Building Survey, but is tailored to suit brand new properties.
Cost
Starting at £850 and can cost £1500+.
Specific Structural Survey
A bespoke report relating to apparent defects of concern, such as cracking, and advising you of any necessary remedial action.
Cost
Starting at £350 and can cost £600+.
Specific Damp Survey
A bespoke report relating to apparent concerns about damp, such as rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation damp, and advising you of any necessary remedial action.
Cost
Starting at £350 and can cost £600+.
Tree Proximity Survey
A bespoke report specifically relating to the impact of trees and shrubs on a property and advising you of any necessary remedial action.
Cost
Starting at £350 and can cost £500+.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need a condition survey?
If you are buying a property, you need a condition survey.
When you buy a property, you are making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Regardless of whether or not you are borrowing money to buy the property, it is essential to find out the true condition of the property before committing to its purchase. It doesn’t matter if the property is 1 year old or 150 years old, there may well be serious defects that are not obvious during a property viewing.
If you own a property and want to better understand its condition for the purpose of maintenance and repair, or perhaps prior to undertaking property improvements, then a condition survey can be extremely useful.
If you are selling a property and unsure of its current condition, having a survey conducted before you put it on the market can be beneficial. You could advertise at a higher price after resolving any issues the survey uncovered. Alternatively, you can make buyers aware of defects from the outset to avoid issues later on which could result in an offer being withdrawn.
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Will the condition survey include a valuation of the property?
No. I only undertake condition surveys of residential properties. I do not undertake valuation work. Please let me know if you would like me to recommend an RICS Registered Valuer. Similarly, my surveys do not include a building reinstatement cost for insurance purposes.
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Is a mortgage valuation survey a condition survey?
No. A mortgage valuation inspection is not a condition survey, and it does not benefit the buyer in any way. Its sole purpose is to guide the mortgage lender on how much the property is worth. The surveyor will only give the property’s condition a cursory glance in case there are any very obvious major defects that the lender should know about.
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How much do surveys cost?
The cost of a survey depends on a number of factors including the age of the property, its size, whether any alterations have been carried out, whether there are any garages and/or outbuildings, and the purchase price. When quoting for a survey, I use the facts about the property to decide how long I will need to both inspect the property and to produce a valuable report, and how much risk I am exposing myself to.
| Survey Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Level 2 Home Buyer Survey | Starts at £600 and can cost £950+ |
| Level 3 Building Survey | Starts at £800 and can cost £1500+ |
| Structural & Damp Survey | Starts at £500 and can cost £750+ |
| Specific Structural Report | Starts at £450 and can cost £600+ |
| Tree Proximity Report | Starts at £300 and can cost £500+ |
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What kind of condition survey do I need?
If you request a quotation, I will study the property online before recommending the most suitable survey to meet your needs. The most common surveys are the Structural & Damp Survey, the RICS Home Survey Level 2, and the RICS Home Survey Level 3. The most suitable survey for you will depend on the age, size, complexity and condition of the property, as well as your plans for the property.
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Are you a regulated surveyor?
Yes. All qualified and registered surveyors are listed on the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) web site. My listing can be viewed here.
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Other Information