Surveys, defects and costs explained by RICS surveyors, so you can buy with confidence.
Our most-asked question, answered simply. A clear rule of thumb so you don't over-pay for detail you'll never use, or under-buy on a home that needs the full picture.
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The essentials nobody explains before you put in an offer.
Your lender's valuation is not a survey. Here's what it misses.
Your three real options: renegotiate, fix or walk away.
Two different things, often confused. Who each is for, and why you need both.
The RICS survey levels in plain terms, matched to your property.
A side-by-side of what each level inspects, who it suits and the cost.
The most popular survey, line by line, and what the ratings mean.
The tell-tale signs your period or extended home is a full-survey case.
The defects that worry buyers most, explained calmly with realistic costs.
Rising, penetrating and condensation are different problems. Tell them apart.
Most cracks are harmless settlement. The warning signs that aren't.
Why lenders take it seriously, and the plans that keep a mortgage on track.
Straight answers on price and timescales, no hidden extras.
Typical price bands by level, and what drives the cost up or down.
Realistic timings from booking to report, for each survey level.
In England it's almost always the buyer, but there are exceptions.
One page, every step, plus a sample RICS report so there are no surprises.
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Home surveys and valuations across England, carried out by RICS and RPSA regulated partner surveyors. Clear reports, fair prices, qualified people.