Building Survey: get local price comparisons
In partnership with Local Surveyors Direct, get instant house survey quotes from Chartered Surveyors working in your area.
Your Survey Quotes
If you wish, you can now contact any of the surveyors listed below directly for more information, or they may contact you for more information so they can provide a more precise quote.
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Get Home Buyers Protection Insurance
Home Buyers Protection Insurance – also known as Gazumping Insurance – helps cover legal, survey and mortgage lending costs should your purchase fall through. You need to take it out before you carry out a survey and within 14 days of instructing your solicitor.
Protect yourself with Home Buyer Protection Insurance from just £74
Home buyers protection insurance – should you consider it?
Buying a home is stressful enough without the financial worry of your purchase falling through. Home Buyers Protection Insurance also known as Gazumping Insurance helps cover legal, survey and mortgage lending costs should your purchase fall through.
Gazumping: What is it? Is it legal?
As a buyer, when your offer has been accepted you may think it’s time to crack open the bubbly and start shopping for furniture, but be warned – you’re not quite home and dry just yet. We look at the act of gazumping, how it can set you back and how to avoid it.
How to find the right removals company
Moving home can be stressful enough without having to worry about the company moving your furniture and prized possessions! Read our guide to help you find the right removals company for you.
How much do removals cost?
The average UK removals cost is £928 for a three bedroom house but costs vary widely depending on house size, how much stuff your moving and how far – and whether or not you shop around for the best deal.
Why compare building survey quotes?
When you’re buying a house and need to book a survey it’s important to compare multiple building survey quotes because it allows you to:
- Save money. Different surveyors may charge varying fees for similar services. So it helps you get a sense of how much you should be paying.
- Compare what’s offered: By getting multiple building survey quotes you’ll quickly be able to assess the scope of services included in each quote.
- Gauge expertise: You can evaluate the expertise of each surveyor.
- Make informed decisions: By researching multiple options, you’ll be able to choose a surveyor who best fits your house survey needs and budget.
What is a building survey?
- A Building Survey (aka a full structural survey) is the most thorough and detailed report that you can commission on the condition of a property you’re buying.
- Building surveys are ideal for period properties, larger buildings and buildings that you want to renovate or convert, or that have already been extensively altered.
- A Level 3 Survey will look at every element of a property and identify any problems, the likely cause, how urgently they need to be repaired and how much the repair could cost. Here is an example of a Level 3 Home Survey report from RICS.Find out more in our guide What is a Building Survey (RICS Level 3)?
Who carries out a survey?
- The survey is usually carried out by a Chartered Surveyor who will be a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), in which case he or she will have the letters MRICS or FRICS after his or her name.
- The RICS ensures that all its members maintain professional standards in their work. When commissioning a Chartered Surveyor to carry out a survey you should be able to feel confident that the results will be appropriate for your needs.
How Our Building Survey Quote Comparison Tool Works
Our building survey quote comparison tool is easy to use. Simply:
- Compare and Choose: Review the quotes, assess the surveyors’ credentials, and select the best fit for your needs.
- Input Your Details: Add information about your property and where it’s located.
- Instantly Receive Multiple Quotes: Get up to five competitive building survey quotes from local surveyors.
Shop around and save
- Going with the surveyor recommended by your bank, estate agent, mortgage lender or other property expert can end up costing you more.
- Cut out the middle man. Use our helpful Building Survey tool, powered by Local Surveyors Direct, to find qualified chartered surveyors in your local area, to shop around, compare quotes and find the right surveyor for you at the best price.
- Also, we recommend speaking to a surveyor about any concerns you have about the property up front. Recruit a qualified chartered surveyor who is forthcoming and contactable. In particular we recommend attending the survey in order to walk round the property with the surveyor.
Do I need a survey when buying a house?
Getting a survey when you’re buying a house isn’t a legal requirement but you may bitterly regret not getting one. Our research found that 1 in 3 home buyers who invested in a survey took action before buying the property based on the results.
- For example, 10% of buyers who took out a survey used the survey report to renegotiate the sale price, 9% got sellers to fix issues raised in the survey and 4% pulled out of buying the house.
Getting building survey quotes? 5 common questions
Here are some of the common questions people ask when getting building survey quotes.
What is a property surveyor?
- A property surveyor assesses and evaluates properties, highlighting any issues, defects and potential problems. A surveyor will produce a report that will help you decide whether to buy the property or not and you may use the information it contains to try to renegotiate the price. Find more information in our guide What does a surveyor do?
What types of surveys are available?
- Common types of property surveys include Level 1 Condition Reports, Level 2 Homebuyer Surveys, and Level 3 Building Surveys, also known as a full structural survey. The Level 3 building survey is the most comprehensive type of survey. Find more information in our guide on House survey types and costs.
What factors affect the cost of a house survey?
- House survey costs can vary based on the type of survey, the property’s size and location, and the surveyor’s expertise. The easiest way to cut costs is to compare surveyors’ quotes to make sure you get the best service for the best price.
How can I get quotes from surveyors?
- The quickest way to get quotes from surveyors by using our online comparison tool. Just enter details about your property and you’ll instantly receive building survey quotes from multiple surveyors to compare surveyors’ prices and services.
What’s the process for booking surveyors?
- Once you’ve compared building survey quotes and chosen your preferred surveyor, simply contact them to book the survey. It’s advisable to book your building survey soon after your offer on a house is accepted.
How much does a building survey typically cost in the UK?
Building surveys typically cost between around £630 to £1,500. One of the main factors in determining the cost of a building survey is the value of the house.
So for properties worth £100,000 to £250,000 expect to pay from £630 to £800, whereas for properties worth £500,000 to £1 million, expect to pay around £1,000 to £1,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your surveyors all local to my postcode?
Yes, our online building survey quote comparison tool will connect you with surveyors that are local to your postcode. So whether you’re in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds or anywhere else, you’ll get a local surveyor.
Should I use the surveyor recommended by the estate agent?
No, you shouldn’t simply use a surveyor recommended by the estate agent, you should always shop around by using our tool to compare building survey quotes. The same goes for any service recommended by an estate agent. Find our more in our guide Do I have to use an estate agent’s mortgage advisor?
How long does a building survey take?
The length of time it takes to complete a building survey will depend on the size of the property but it could take as long as a day to complete.
What are the different types of home survey?
The main types of home survey are:
- RICS Home Survey – Level 1. This is the most basic and cheapest survey. It may be suitable if you’re buying a conventional property built from common building materials and in reasonable condition. It was previously called a Condition Report. It provides a ‘traffic light’ rating of the condition of different parts of the building, services, and the grounds, showing problems that may require varying degrees of attention. It also includes a summary of risks. But the report doesn’t go into much detail and doesn’t include any advice nor a valuation.
- RICS Home Survey – Level 2. Previously called a Home Buyer Report or Homebuyer surveys this mid-level survey covers everything you’d get in a RICS Home Survey Level 1, plus they check roof spaces and cellars. You’ll also get recommendations for further investigations where the property surveyor is unable to reach a conclusion with reasonable confidence. The report will also give advice on budget for any repairs and on the amount of ongoing maintenance required in the future. RICS Home Survey Level 2 are offered with or without a valuation.
- RICS Home Survey – Level 3. Also known as a full structural survey and previously as a RICS Building Survey, is the most thorough survey offered by RICS. It is a good house survey option if you’re buying a property over 50 years old, of unusual design, is a listed building or in poor condition; if you’re planning to undertake renovations or have any concerns about the property. And while they are more expensive, they are thorough.
- The Level 3 survey will include everything you would get in a RICS Home Survey Level 2, plus it will describe the identifiable risk and causes of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected. It will outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair. Plus you’ll get recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary repairs.
