There are two main kinds of house survey in England and Wales – a Level 3 Building Survey and a Level 2 Homebuyers Survey.
- Building Survey - A Building Survey is more detailed and is suitable for older buildings, or buildings that have undergone significant alteration.
- Homebuyers Survey - A Homebuyers Survey is less comprehensive, and as such it can be more difficult to know exactly what it includes.
What is a Level 2 Homebuyers Survey?
A Homebuyers Survey (otherwise known as the Level 2 RICS Survey) is essentially a general health check on a property.
It is an independent review of all visible and accessible parts of a property. It is ideal for most modern homes and for older homes that appear to be in a decent condition and have not had significant work done on them.
If you’re not sure whether a Homebuyers Survey is right for your property, you can check with a chartered surveyor which survey your property will need.
How much does a Level 2 Homebuyers Survey cost?
The average cost of a Level 2 Homebuyers Survey is around £400-£1000.
However, the cost of the Homebuyers Survey is dependent on the size, age, type, and condition of the property, so cost may vary depending on these factors. Cost may also depend on location.
It’s also worth remembering that different property surveyor firms charge different amounts, so it’s advisable to shop around to find a RICS Building Surveyor for the best deal.
Homebuyers Survey checklist
A Level 2 Homebuyers Survey includes:
- A visual inspection of all major indoor features including ceilings, walls, roofs and bathrooms, and all permanent outbuildings and outdoor features.
- Background information on property and location.
- Assessment of damp-proofing, insulation, and drainage.
- Damp tests on walls.
- Condition of building timbers.
- Inspection of heating, drainage, electricity, and gas/oil – however remember the surveyor is not an electrician or plumber and the most they’ll do is check they are functional.
- Estimate of cost of rebuilding for insurance purposes, known as a reinstatement value.
- Any problems that might affect the value of the property.
- Details of faults in easily-accessible parts of the property that require further investigation by a specialist before you sign the contract – for example, signs of subsidence.
- Details of urgent problems that require immediate investigation – for example, a suspected gas leak.
- Current valuation (optional and may incur an extra cost).
What doesn’t a Homebuyers Survey cover?
A Level 2 Homebuyers Survey does not cover:
- Inspection of any part of the property that is not visible or is inaccessible. It may be covered by furniture, or it may be unsafe for the surveyor to inspect it. If a place is inaccessible, it should be declared so in the report. A Building Survey is a more detailed inspection and will include assessment of non-visual components of the property. However, neither survey includes any inspection or assessment that would put the surveyor at risk.
- Communal areas, for example the lift in a block of flats.
- An in-depth inspection of electrics, gas, plumbing or heating system. However, they will be able to advise you on what to do next if they suspect there is a problem.
- Temporary outbuildings.
- Roof spaces in blocks of flats, unless there is a hatch in the flat.
A Homebuyers Survey is a great option if the property is relatively young and appears to be in good condition.
If you have reason to be concerned about anything the Homebuyers Survey doesn’t cover, it might be worth seeing whether it would be included in a Building Survey.
How do I receive my house survey results?
Your surveyor will send over a report by either post of email and most are happy to go through the report with you on the phone or answer any questions you may have. If any of the points mentioned aren’t clear, or you have further questions, don’t hesitate to chat to your surveyor about your Homebuyers Survey.
Homebuyer Survey checklist FAQs
What are red flags on a house survey?
Issues that may be found in a survey include:
Do buyers pull out after survey?
If a house survey finds an issue with the property, the buyer may consider pulling out of the sale. However, they may instead choose to negotiate the price to consider the issues found in the survey.