Surveying Basics

How Much Does a Surveyor Cost in UK?

August 29, 2024

There’s no single answer to this question. Why? Because there are different types of surveys – from initial to complex – and each one of them caters to different needs. Likewise, the technology used, and manpower deployed also vary. In this article, our experts look at how much does a survey cost in UK, why the costs vary, what you get for your money and how to get survey quotes.

What is a house survey?

A house survey is a detailed inspection of the condition of a property. The type of survey you choose will determine the level of detail it goes into and how much the house survey costs. Home buyers usually arrange to have the survey done after they’ve had an offer accepted by a seller. Generally it is the buyer who arranges and pays for the survey.

How much does a house survey cost in 2024?

If the property you’re buying is worth £200,000 and you want a RICS Home Survey Level 1 – the most basic type – it could cost around £400. But if you’re buying a £1 million home and you’re seeking a RICS Home Survey Level 3 – also known as a full structural survey – you’re likely to be paying upwards of £1,500.

3 key factors that influence the cost of survey are:

the type of survey you have
the property’s value
the property’s location

LEVEL OF REPORT

As per RICS (a body that develops and enforces leading international standards, protecting consumers and businesses by ensuring the utmost level of professionalism is employed ), there are 3 levels of report:

RICS Home Survey Level 1

Visible defects and a condition rating, highlighting issues in need of urgent investigation. It is suitable for standard properties and new homes. Usually, it costs between £300 – £900.

RICS Home Survey Level 2

Condition of property with relative importance of any problems, advice on issues and repairs needed. It is suitable for standard properties in reasonable condition and costs between £400 – £1000.

RICS Home Survey Level 3

This full structural survey gives in depth view of property condition and can also include estimate of costs for repairing defects. It is suitable for older (50 years +), larger, unusual properties, as well as those in poor condition. It usually costs around £630 – £1500

Why do homebuyers survey costs vary?

The types of survey varies and each offers a different level of details which further caters to different level of consumers. Therefore, the cost differs vastly. Therefore, when you pose a question about survey cost, the factor that what type of survey are you looking for plays a crucial role.

The names of the different types of surveys may look different to what you’re expecting. That’s because in March 2021, RICS implemented a new Home Survey Standard which also launched the new formats for the Home Survey reports. So what was once known as condition report, homebuyer survey and building survey have been changed and updated.

In conclusion, a measured building survey is an essential step in the property buying process, providing invaluable insights into the condition of a property and potential issues that may need addressing. Whether it’s a level-one condition report, a level-two Homebuyer Report, or a comprehensive level-three building survey, investing in a thorough inspection can save buyers from unexpected expenses and help them make informed decisions.

What can make my survey cost more?

The survey cost can increase if the survey uncovers certain issues and you get the recommendation of getting a specialist survey done. For instance, if your property is discovered to have damp issues, you need to get a damp survey. The cost of such surveys could range from £150-£300 (thus, your survey cost will increase by this much amount). Similarly, if your surveyors say you need to undertake dry out survey because the same has been highlighted, you need to take it by paying around £300.

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If a survey finds problems who pays to fix them?

The biggest advantage of surveys are that they can highlight problems that we are unable to see with naked eye. By getting your hands on such valuable information, you can renegotiate the price with the seller.

For example, if survey highlights that the property has a damp problem and it will take a certain sum of money to fix it, you can request the seller to take equal amount off the sale price. If he doesn’t, you may reconsider buying the property altogether.

As your conveyancing solicitor will possess a copy of your survey, you should speak to them to get an expert advice on handling property transactions. They will suggest you future roadmap.

Is a house survey worth the cost?

A detailed survey will reveal potential pitfalls of the property. In absence of survey, you might get surprises in form of expensive problems. Thus, a survey may cost you around £1500-2500, it has the potential to save your from expensive repairs in the future.

How and where to find a surveyor?

We recommend you don’t go with a surveyor that has been recommended by your mortgage or bank as there are high chances that you’ll end up paying more. Instead, we recommend you explore the digital multiverse to get various options.

Here, we again recommend you don’t go with the cheapest one. Why? You might end up getting below-par services. Rather, look for various factors such as experience, technology, and portfolio.

Here at Survey2Plan, we offer a wide range of services including home surveys, utility surveys, measured building surveys, and drone surveys. Our 20+ years of experience, state-of-the-art machinery, and a portfolio of successful projects have made us the best land surveying company in the UK.