When you purchase a property it’s essential to get a house survey to ensure you don’t face any nasty surprises post completion. There are different levels of survey available, appropriate for different properties.
An extremely popular survey is the Level 2 RICS HomeBuyer Report, suitable for houses no older than 100 years that have not been drastically altered. If you think this might be the right survey for you, find out more.
What is the best survey to get when buying a house?
The best survey for the property depends on a few things including the property’s age and condition.
We offer three survey options:
- Level 1: RICS Home Condition Report, a basic survey for newer properties;
- Level 2: HomeBuyer Report (Home Condition Survey) which goes into more detail on potential surface level issues;
- Level 3: Building Survey (commonly called a Structural Survey) for older or potentially problematic properties.
What is RICS HomeBuyer Survey?
A HomeBuyer Report is a survey that will find and record both visible and potential problems in a property that could cause damage and require future work. There are two HomeBuyer Reports available and both use the simple ‘traffic light’ condition rating system:
- The focus of a RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey) will be on serious or urgent problems that could need specialist attention, costly repairs and those which might affect the property’s value.
- We also offer the option to add a valuation and a HomeBuyer Report (Survey and Valuation) will include everything in a HomeBuyer Report (Survey), plus a market valuation and insurance rebuild cost. It will include the same level of advice on defects that may affect the value of the property with simple advice and recommendations for repairs and further investigation.
What do you check?
This survey coverers everything in the more basic Home Condition Report plus extra elements. We will carry out a visual check on the following:
- The property’s overall condition including ceilings, roof, walls, gutters etc.
- Risks
- Potential legal issues
- Urgent defects
- Review of timber/damp issues
- Heating, drainage, electric, gas/oil, water services
- Insulation
- Subsidence and serious structural problems
- Grounds and boundaries (for example, checking for Japanese knotweed)
The focus of the report will be on serious or urgent problems that could need specialist attention, costly repairs and those which might affect the property’s value. We will offer estimates of how much it will cost to address any problems discovered and provide advice on best next steps.
How long does a HomeBuyer survey take?
The time it takes to complete the homebuyer report varies house-to-house, but you could expect a surveyor on-site for 1-4 hours.
Is a Homebuyer Survey worth it?
The short answer to this question is yes. The cost of this Level 2 survey is just a fraction of the amount you’ll be spending on the property and worth it for peace of mind.
The information you gain will either put your mind at ease that there is nothing major to worry about or prepare you for issues that exist/may arise soon. It also puts you in the best position possible to negotiate on price if something unexpected is revealed.
Find out more
Buying a property can be stressful and feel complicated but we are here to help. To find out more about a Level 2 RICS HomeBuyer Report, click here.
If you need further advice on the different types of surveys available and the most appropriate for you, call us on 01962 880426 or fill out this short form. Our experienced team will be able to give you guidance on house surveys.