RICS Building Survey (Structural Survey)

An RICS building survey, also known as a structural survey, is a detailed inspection of a property you intend to buy, that will highlight any issues or flaws a potential home may have. The RICS qualified surveyor will advise on any issues they discover and provide you with the necessary information to make an informed decision about the property purchase, allowing you to budget for future repair works or renegotiate your offer accordingly.

The building survey is the most in-depth survey you can have. It is designed to check for structural issues and other unseen problems that other levels of survey can’t discover.

What information does a building survey provide?

During the building survey (structural survey) your surveyor will check every accessible area of the property. For this survey, the surveyor will go up into the loft/attic, down into cellars, use special equipment to check for damp and mould, check floorboards, windows and doors, and just about anywhere else a home can show its issues or age. The survey will:

• Provide detailed information about the structure and fabric of the property
• Discover problems that need urgent attention
• Discover problems that need further investigation to prevent serious damage
• Help you decide whether you require further advice before committing to a purchase
• Help you understand any ongoing maintenance required in the future
• Establish how the property is built, materials used, and how these will perform in the future
• Expose potential problems posed by hidden defects
• Outline repair options, repair timeline, and explain the consequences of not acting
• Provide a longer and more detailed visual inspection of a wider range of issues
• Provide a more thorough consideration of the roof space, grounds, floors and services

Why do I need a building survey?

A building survey lets you know exactly what you are buying. All older homes will have an odd issue or two, but there is a big difference between a major structural issue and the need to reseal or replace a few windows.

A building survey is optional but is highly recommended. You don’t want to save a few hundred pounds now, only to discover later the home has an issue that will cost £15,000 to put right.

Once you’ve bought the home, it’s yours, flaws and all. The previous owners won’t be liable if they had no knowledge of the problem, and you’ll still have a tough time even if they did, so you’ll save time and money by having all the information you need up front.

If you’re purchasing a newer home and just want to know an expert has looked over your property, a HomeBuyer survey may be the best option for you.

How much does it cost?

HouzeCheck provides an RICS building survey at a low fixed fee. The fixed fees (including VAT) are:

• Upto 2-bed: £699
• 3-bed: £799
• 4-bed: £899
• 5-bed: £999

Need a building survey? Get in touch!

The easiest way is to submit your details on the online form provided. Our appointments team will call you within 2 hours (9am to 8pm - Monday to Friday) to confirm the appointment date/time as per your convenience. Once the property has been inspected, the report will be delivered within 5 working days.

Alternatively, you can call our contact centre on 0330 113 1133.