Home Surveys
RICS Home Survey Level 2
The RICS Home Survey Level 2 was previously known as the HomeBuyer Report. It is suitable for most traditionally built (brick and tile) properties that have not been significantly extended or altered, are in a reasonable condition, and are built after 1900.
The survey includes a physical inspection of the property and a concise report that provides professional advice on salient defects, repairs, and maintenance required. The survey will be critically important to your purchase decision.
Most aspects of the property are covered within this report, including environmental issues: such as landfill sites, flooding, and radon.
This service is delivered in accordance with the RICS Home survey standard (1st edition), and is equivalent to Level 2.
RICS Building Survey Level 3
The RICS Building Survey Level 3 was sometimes known as a ‘Full Structural survey’. It is essential for larger, older, unusual, or run down properties, or for those which have been significantly extended or altered. In our opinion, best practice is generally to obtain a Level 3 for properties constructed before 1935, and most certainly for any property constructed before 1900. Older properties, with solid wall construction, can be much more problematic to own and maintain.
All Level 2 matters will be covered, however, the Level 3 service provides you with a more detailed and in-depth analysis (and report) of the property's condition. Additional advice is provided for defects, repairs, and recommended maintenance. The bespoke advice about your future property could be particularly valuable during your ownership of the property, and will be critical to any purchase decision. Many clients find the extra cost is more than covered by the amount of money they can save through renegotiating the purchase price based on unforeseen repair costs required. The Level 3 report also includes a large number of photographs to illustrate and accompany most defects.
This service is delivered in accordance with the RICS Home survey standard (1st edition), and is equivalent to Level 3.
Which Survey to Choose?
It is important that we provide you with the correct survey for the property you wish to purchase. Please carefully consider our advice above, and the RICS guidance document below to aid you in your decision. If in any doubt please contact our head office for further advice, and we will be happy to guide you accordingly.
Our Reports:
We pride ourselves on the detail, accuracy, and clarity of our reports.
All reports will apply ‘condition ratings’ to the parts of the building clearly communicated to you using a ‘traffic light system’ (colour coded green, amber and red):
Condition Rating 1 (green) – Routine maintenance only – no repairs required.
Condition Rating 2 (amber) – Defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered to be either serious or urgent.
Condition Rating 3 (red) – Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently.
This simple system is, in our opinion, the easiest and best way to clearly convey the condition of a property through a report. We will, very happily, explain any parts of the report to you, if required.
*** Please note we are specialist building surveyors and do not provide The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 (survey and valuation) service***