RICS Homebuyers Surveys
When looking to purchase a property, it is essential to ensure that you have had the property inspected methodically by a qualified and chartered home and building surveyor. Working with our team of home surveyors, you can trust that any issues or unknown structural challenges can be identified early. We work with you to help you understand the clear path ahead before you move forward with a home purchase or house sale.
Why choose Trusted Home Surveys?
What home survey do i need?
condition survey
(level 1)
Are you looking to buy or sell your home? Our level 1 home survey completed by our RICS home surveyors will provide you with an overview of a relatively modern property in good condition.
home buyer survey
(level 2)
building survey
(level 3)
What are the different types of home survey?
Our primary home survey services include Level 1 surveys (formerly RICS Condition Survey), Level 2 surveys (formerly RICS Homebuyer Survey) and Level 3 (formerly RICS Building Survey). The type of survey you will need depends on the age and condition of property you are purchasing, please use the guide below to understand the difference or contact us to discuss what you may need.
| Service | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Inspection | |||
| A brief visual internal and external inspection of the property | |||
| Operate a small sample of windows and doors | |||
| Open lofts and inspect from hatch | |||
| An extended internal and external inspection of the property lasting several hours | |||
| Undertake sample moisture reading in any suspect area | |||
| Enter lofts and inspect internally where safe | |||
| Open inspection chambers with exposed lightweight lids | |||
| A detailed internal and external inspection of the property usually taking most or all of the day. On very complex properties, multiple days. | |||
| Operate all windows and doors and a sample of bathroom fittings. Ask homeowner to demonstrate the heating and hot water in use. | |||
| Operate a sample of light fittings and extractor fans etc. | |||
| Undertake a sample of moisture readings throughout the ground floor of property and in suspect locations on upper floors | |||
| Enter lofts and where possible inspect concealed inspection points (sub floor spaces etc. where hatches exist) | |||
| Open inspection chambers with slightly obscured or covered lightweight lids | |||
| Deploy drone to inspect roofs and features not visible from pedestrian levels | |||
| The Report | |||
| Describes elements (roof, walls, floors, windows, doors etc.) in enough detail so that they can be identified | |||
| Provides an overall assessment of elements using a 'traffic light' system | |||
| Outlines major observations which could dramatically affect the elements or safety | |||
| Describes elements and their constituent parts in more detail to communicate their functionality | |||
| Provides some photographs | |||
| Makes observations to inform maintenance and identifies what aspects of elements need repair or improvement works. | |||
| Indicates major risks of not undertaking repairs | |||
| Describes elements and their constituent parts and how elements interact with each other including how this affects performance | |||
| Provides a range of photographs of elements | |||
| Identifies possible hidden defects | |||
| Comments on issues or elements which could give rise to more frequent or costly maintenance | |||
| Identifies improvement and repair works in detail so specific plans can be made for repair and maintenance. Summarises those works in a single table. | |||
| Describes risks of not undertaking maintenance in detail where needed | |||
| Identifies and provides concise list of further investigations recommended now or soon | |||
| Includes dedicated section on energy performance and improvements | |||
All description downloads have been provided by RICS: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and are the property/copyright of RICS.
Condition Survey
(level 1 survey)
A Level 1 Home Survey includes a physical inspection of the property and a written report. The aim is to:
- Describe the parts and elements of the property in enough detail so that they can be adequately identified
- Provide a clear and concise expression of the surveyor’s professional assessment of each feature or element
- Describe the condition of the part or aspect that justifies the surveyor’s assessment and
- Help you gain an objective view of the condition of the property.
Home Buyer Survey
(level 2 survey)
A Level 2 Home Survey includes a physical inspection of the property and a written report.. The RICS home surveyor aims to provide professional advice so that you can:
- Make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property
- Consider any repairs or replacements the property needs, and
- Consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchasing the property.
Building Survey
(level 3 survey)
A Level 3 Home Survey includes a physical inspection of the property with a follow-up report. The qualified RICS surveyor who provides the Level 3 Home Survey aims to give you professional advice to:
- Help you make a reasoned and informed decision when purchasing the property or when planning for repairs, maintenance or upgrading the property
- Provide detailed advice on the condition
- Describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects
- Propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection;
- and where practicable and agreed, provide an estimate of costs and likely timescale for identified repairs and necessary work.
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