Survey guide
Residential surveys in England and Wales
A practical guide to the most common survey decisions, from lender valuations to specialist inspections and the questions worth asking before you instruct.
1.
Mortgage Valuation vs Survey (incl. timing)
What a lender valuation does, what it does not do, and when buyers usually instruct their own survey.
2.RICS Home Surveys (Levels 1, 2, 3)
How the three main RICS survey levels differ and which properties they tend to suit.
3.Surveys Outside RICS
RPSA, CABE, independent building surveys, structural engineer reports, and snagging surveys.
4.Specialist Property Surveys
Targeted inspections for damp, timber, drains, roofs, flood risk, asbestos, knotweed, and more.
5.Survey Costs & Choosing the Right One
Typical fee ranges and a practical way to match survey type to the property.
6.Questions to Ask Your Surveyor
The key qualification, scope, insurance, and reporting questions to cover before instructing.