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What is a property survey?

Welcome to a brief introduction to property surveys and surveyors.

A property survey is effectively like an MOT on your house. The surveyor will give you a report on what is wrong with your prospective property purchase. There are several types of survey all of differing level of detail. When you read it you may seem very alarmed and that the property is just about to fall down but you willfind that the surveyor will mention any tiny defect just in order to cover him/herself.

Where can I find a surveyor?

Your estate agent will recommend one, but shop around use the yellow pages, click on the links on this page, and contact RICS. Shopping around could save you up to £250.

Introduction to property surveys

The valuation is a survey?

NO. The valuation is not a survey it only really give the mortgage lender an idea of the value of the property not whether it has any major structural defects. The lender will insist upon a valuation which is not much more than a cursory look at the property to check it is standing, it is where it said it is and also has no very obvious defects such as roof missing.

Do you need a survey, how much will it cost and what exactly can you expect from a surveyor?

In short the sensible answer is Yes, although a recent report from The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors or RICS stated that around 80 per cent of homebuyers do not bother with a survey. RICS naturally doesn’t think this is very clever and would like you to use one of their members. The downside to surveys is that they can be expensive but if your house like a car has a serious problem like a leaking room, damp or subsidence then it could be thousands of pounds saved and plenty of misery avoided.

What Will It Cost?

The cost of surveys can vary substantially, they tend to depend upon the value of the property

The basic valuation “survey” which is typically arranged by the mortgage lender can cost anywhere between £100 and £350 and sometimes this fee is waived by the lender as they cover it in the overall cost of the mortgage package. One tip is to find out who is doing your valuation survey and contact them directly to also carry out a homebuyer or full building survey as this may save you some money if both are done at the same time.

For a Homebuyer survey, you can expect to pay from £250 for a property at the lower end of the market, to £600 and upwards for more expensive property.

The full building survey can cost upwards of £500. Get quotes though as companies vary.

What is included in building surveys?

Homebuyer Survey and Valuation Report

A Homebuyer Survey and Valuation (HSV), also known as a Homebuyer’s Report, is a survey more suited for properties built within the last 150 years, which are in reasonable condition.

It’s not usually suitable for properties in need of renovation, or if you’re planning major alterations.

An HSV includes details of:

Property condition
Any major faults in accessible parts of the building that may affect the value
Any urgent problems that need inspecting by a specialist before you sign a contract
Results of tests for damp in the walls
Damage to timbers – including woodworm or rot
The condition of any damp-proofing, insulation and drainage (though drains aren’t tested)
The estimated cost of rebuilding the property after a fire, for building insurance purposes
The value of the property on the open market.

Building Survey

A Building Survey is a comprehensive inspection of a property. It is more suited for:-

Listed buildings
Older properties,
Buildings constructed in an unusual way, however old they are
Properties you plan to renovate or alter in any way
Properties that have had extensive alterations.

It examines all accessible parts of the property, and you can request special areas of the building to be looked at:-.

A Building Survey includes details of:

Major and minor defects and what they could mean
The possible cost of repairs
Results of damp testing on walls
Damage to timbers – including woodworm and rot
The condition of damp-proofing, insulation and drainage (though drains aren’t tested)
Technical information on the construction of the property and the materials used
The location
Recommendations for any further special inspections.

You can read more about buying a house, the legal process and plenty of in depth information by going to our exclusive guides across this website.

Click here to read more in our exclusive and in depth house buying guide