Why do you need an RICS Home Survey? Because forewarned is forearmed. Choosing the right survey will help highlight any serious problems and advise you of the specific risks before you commit to the process of buying or selling a property.

RICS has three different levels of survey (outlined overleaf). These can only be conducted by an RICS qualified surveyor.

Reliable and cost effective, these reports carry the full weight of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – the industry’s most respected authority on surveying.

Buying a home

It’s important to remember that your mortgage lender’s valuation report is not a survey. It merely tells your lender whether or not the property is reasonable security for your loan. An RICS survey will tell you the actual condition of the property. That’s vital information that can be invaluable during price negotiations, and will also help you avoid expensive surprises after you’ve moved in. There is an option for an RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey level 2) which also includes a valuation as a standard part of the service for your own purposes.

Selling a home

An RICS survey can be an aid to selling your home. It will show you any problems that may delay your sale or cause price reductions later in the process.

Staying at home

A survey of the current condition of your home will warn you of defects and help you avoid escalating repair and maintenance costs in the future.

Buying or selling? Survey your options

The RICS Condition Report – survey level one

Choose this report if you’re buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow built from common building materials and in reasonable condition. It focuses purely on the condition of the property by setting out the following:

clear ‘traffic light’ ratings of the condition of different parts of the building, services, garage and outbuildings, showing problems that may require varying degrees of attention;

a summary of the risks to the condition of the building; and

advice on replacement parts guarantees, planning and control matters for your legal advisers.

An RICS Condition Report is straightforward and does not include a valuation, but your surveyor may be able to provide this as a separate extra service.

Ask your surveyor for a detailed ‘Description of the RICS Condition Report Service’ leaflet.

The RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey) – survey level two

Choose this report if you need more extensive information whilst buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials and in reasonable condition. It costs more than the Condition Report but includes:

all of the features in the Condition Report;

a list of problems that the surveyor considers may affect the property;

advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance;

issues that need to be investigated to prevent serious damage or dangerous conditions;

legal issues that need to be addressed before completing your purchase; and

information on location, local environment and the recorded energy efficiency (where available). Ask your surveyor for a detailed ‘Description of the RICS HomeBuyer (Survey) Service’ leaflet.

The RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey & Valuation) – survey level two

As the RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey) above but includes:

the surveyor’s professional opinion on the ‘market value’ of the property;

an insurance reinstatement figure for the property;

a list of problems that the surveyor considers may affect the value of the property;
Ask your surveyor for a detailed ‘Description of the RICS HomeBuyer (Survey & Valuation) Service’ leaflet.

The RICS Building Survey – survey level three

Choose the Building Survey (formerly called a structural survey) if you’re dealing with a large, older or run-down property,
a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works. It costs more than the other RICS reports because it gives detailed information about the structure and fabric of the property.

The RICS Building Survey uses the same traffic light ratings as the Condition and HomeBuyer Reports. It also includes:

a more thorough inspection and detailed report on a wider range of issues;

a description of visible defects and potential problems caused by hidden flaws;

an outline of repair options and the likely consequences of inactivity; and

advice for your legal advisers and details of serious risks and dangerous conditions.

The RICS Building Survey does not include a valuation, but your surveyor may be able to provide this as a separate extra service.

Also the surveyor may be able to provide an estimate of costs for identified repairs if agreed with you in advance. Ask your surveyor for a detailed ‘Description of the RICS Building Survey Service’ leaflet.

At-a-glance survey comparisons

This table will help you choose the most appropriate survey, but if you have any particular requirements, remember to discuss them with your surveyor before they inspect the property. The surveyor may be able to provide you with extra services, under separate contracts.