Getting a house surveyed – a complete guide
Buying a house is a monumental moment for a lot of people. It can be one of the most exciting times of your life but overwhelming and stressful too.
Perhaps you’ve found a home you want already and have put in an offer. It could be your dream home that you’ve spent a lot of time looking for and want to make sure is right. Or perhaps it’s an investment and you want to be sure you’re putting your money into a good opportunity.
That’s where a house survey comes in.
Although not a legal requirement, a house survey is advisable for peace of mind and so that you get an unbiased, professional opinion on the state of the property. This information could be your best friend by helping you avoid costly problems further down the line.
Around 25% of home buyers who chose not to get the property surveyed before buying were hit with unexpected bills to pay, averaging £3,676 – Direct Line Home Insurance.
It’s usually up to you, the buyer, to organise the house survey putting the power in your hands to learn the fine details about what you’re buying. While this responsibility is great to have, many people don’t know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide on the process, from start to finish. One quick note, if you’re at the house survey stage, be sure you have completed other steps in the process of buying a house before you arrive here.
Ready? Let’s get started.
What is a house survey?
What exactly is involved with a house survey? How intrusive and thorough are they? Will it give you the answers you need before going ahead with the purchase?
When a house is surveyed, a surveyor will visit the property in person and inspect various elements, checking everything off against a list. The surveyor should be following standards set by a professional body such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to ensure quality and consistency throughout the survey.
After the survey, a report is issued to you. A traffic light system is used, highlighting any major defects with green, amber and red highlighting different levels of urgency. This is simple to understand but your surveyor should be able to elaborate on anything you’re unsure of.
The type of things the surveyor will be checking include dampness, structural integrity, insulation, asbestos, environmental issues (such as the likelihood of flooding or presence of invasive plant species), and legal issues (such as relevant planning permissions). These are just a few aspects that a surveyor will check in a house survey – there are many more!
It’s so easy to overlook these things yourself so it’s certainly worth getting a professionally trained eye on the job so you’re not left with any surprises.
How much does a house survey cost and is it really worth it?
There is some cost involved and this varies widely, depending on the surveyor you choose, the property size and value, and the level of survey you need. You will typically be quoted anything from £500 upwards for a survey from an independent, experienced and qualified professional. Remember too, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Some companies will be more competitive on price than others but their focus is often on the volume of surveys completed rather than quality.
An unnecessary expense at an already costly time you might be wondering? This is completely understandable but when you consider the advantages of the house survey, they far outweigh the cost.
It’s possible to make back the cost of the survey many times over either by saving money through a renegotiation of the purchase price or avoiding walking into a disaster which would have left you well out of pocket.
Deciding on the level of house survey you need
Now that you’ve decided to go ahead with a survey you may be feeling quite overwhelmed by the different surveys that are available. Don’t worry! We’ll walk you through the different options so that you find what’s right for you.
To begin with, you may be unsure about the difference between a house survey and a mortgage valuation. In short, the mortgage valuation validates the amount being lent and is essential if you are getting a mortgage on the property. The lender will be in charge of this.
In contrast, the house survey provides far more information than just what the property is worth. It is a report on the overall condition of the house and any potential red flags – information of great benefit to the buyer, rather than the lender. The buyer has full control of who they choose to do the survey too.
Now that we’ve cleared that up the next step is choosing which house survey you need for the property. There are a few different types available with differing levels of detail involved.
The most popular type of survey is known as the Home Buyers Survey (RICS Level 2). This is suitable for most properties and is perfect if you’re wanting a general overview of an average-sized property built after 1930.
Any properties built pre-1930, and particularly larger or more complex builds that have had considerable renovation works done, will require a Building Survey (RICS Level 3). This goes into much more detail, providing information on the building materials used and the anticipated performance of the components over time. In addition to that which is given in the Level 2 survey, remedial solutions will be suggested for any defects found.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you don’t need a house survey on a new build because everything is brand new so it should be perfect. Unfortunately, this often isn’t the case due to issues within the building industry today.
Human error can often creep in due to a lack of qualified and experienced personnel, all working to strict timeframes. This can result in shoddy workmanship on the brickwork, poorly installed kitchen and bathroom fittings, doors not aligning correctly, insufficient insulation resulting in condensation problems, and cosmetic issues like scratches on walls or stains on carpets.
So we always advise getting a house survey on a new build, even if it’s a basic one.
Choosing an appropriate surveyor
So you’ve done your research and decided to get a house survey. You’ve decided which level of survey you need. Well, there’s one more decision to make and that’s who you choose to do the house survey.
Experience, knowledge and qualifications vary widely with surveyors, as well as how the service is delivered. You want someone who knows what they’re on about, has a good reputation and takes their time with you. Any decent surveyor knows that buying a house is one of the most important decisions you can make and as such they should make you feel comfortable to ask anything you want and not rush you.
You should look for someone who is suitably qualified, meaning they are a member of a professional body and follow a set of industry standards. RICS is a well-known institution for reputable surveyors so anyone who is a member can be considered a trustworthy professional.
But being RICS certified doesn’t count for everything. Local knowledge is paramount and you should choose someone who knows the area well. This knowledge includes the value and build of similar properties in the area, enabling the surveyor to form an opinion of how the property fits into the local market. They will also know all about any potential environmental issues in the area which could impact the property’s security.
Where do you look for a surveyor? Recommendations from others through testimonials are great, along with online research. The easy option is to go with whoever your estate agents suggest but bear in mind they may not always have the best surveyor on hand, so it’s certainly worth doing your homework.
How long does a house survey take?
This will depend on the level of survey you choose and the availability of the surveyor. Future Home Surveys completes a Level 2 Home Buyer Survey in around 2-3 hours. The Level 3 Building Survey will take a bit longer as it is more in-depth – up to a day to complete. The reports for both levels will take about a week to be issued. Different surveyors will have different schedules and you should choose someone who is available and punctual with the time you’ve got.
After the survey
The survey should hopefully reveal all you need to know about the property. If there are no major issues found it is probably a straightforward decision for you to go ahead with the purchase.
It’s important to remember that all houses have issues in some form or another but if you get back what you consider a bad house survey report in which larger issues have been unveiled, you are then left with a choice to make.
Pull out altogether and walk away from something that could be a nightmare, renegotiate the purchase price so that you have some money left over from the sale for repairs, or ask the seller if they’d be willing to foot the repair bill ahead of the sale. Only 15% of home buyers are unsuccessful with negotiations, being either unable to get the seller to budge on price or fix the problems ahead of the sale. That means 85% of people find they have a better deal following the house survey so it’s definitely worth a shot.
Take your time at this stage to figure out what’s best for you. Whatever you decide, the survey is there to guide and inform you. It is an invaluable tool when it comes to house buying and one that you’ll be sure to appreciate whatever the outcome!
To recap, here is a quick summary of how to get your house surveyed:
- Put an offer in
- Decide which level of survey you need – seek advice if necessary
- Find a surveyor
- Arrange for the house to be surveyed
- Get results
- Make a decision based on results – proceed with the purchase, retract your offer or renegotiate
We hope that by now you have a greater understanding of the need for a house survey and how you should go about getting one. Remember, whatever your circumstances when you’re buying property, a survey is always a wise move.
We love empowering people by helping them make informed decisions on what they’re buying and we love seeing people secure their dream home! Why not learn more about us and get in touch to get the ball rolling on your next move today.
Photo credits: Header image by Maria Ziegler, piggybank by Andre Taissin, planner by Eric Rothermel, welcome doormat by Marissa Daeger, semi-detached house by Brett Jordan, front door by Viktor Forgacs all on Unsplash.