Independent Survey Services

A survey helps buyers understand the true condition of the property, avoid unexpected repair costs, and negotiate with confidence.

When purchasing a property, it is important to understand that a mortgage valuation and a property survey are not the same. The valuation protects the lender, while the survey protects the buyer, so if needed, we can arrange professional home surveys through one of the UK’s largest surveying networks, Esurv:

• Digital interactive reports
• Easy-to-understand findings
• PDF report copies
• Direct access to the surveyor after inspection
• Nationwide coverage

Brief Guide: Home Buyer Surveys

1. Mortgage Valuation

Purpose: Confirms the property provides adequate security for the mortgage lender.

Key Points:

• Conducted for the lender, not the buyer.
• Can be remote, automated, or very brief.
• Does not assess the property’s condition, defects, or safety issues.
• Buyer may not receive a copy of the report.

2. RICS Level 2 Survey (HomePlus)

Purpose: Provides an overview of the property’s condition and identifies significant defects.

Suitable For:

• Most modern and traditionally built homes.
• Properties in reasonable condition.
• Homes that have not been heavily altered or extended.

What It Covers:

• Visual inspection of accessible areas only.
• Highlights issues such as damp, cracking, movement, roof defects, and subsidence.
• Uses a traffic light rating system to prioritise issues.
• Delivered as an interactive digital report.

3. RICS Level 3 Survey (Building Survey)

Purpose: The most comprehensive survey available for residential properties.

Suitable For:

• Older properties.
• Listed buildings.
• Non-standard construction.
• Properties that have been extensively altered or extended.

What It Covers:

• Detailed inspection of the property’s condition.
• Identifies and ranks defects by severity.
• Provides repair recommendations and maintenance advice.
• Highlights potential structural, legal, and planning considerations.

Additional Valuation Services

Some buyers may require specialist valuations, including:

• Help to Buy Valuation – Required when repaying a Help to Buy equity loan
• Buy-to-Let Valuation – Assesses both property value and rental potential.
• Shared Ownership Valuation – Required when staircasing or selling a shared ownership property.