The three main types of house surveys to consider when buying a house are the RICS Level 1 Home Survey (Condition Report), RICS Level 2 Home Survey (HomeBuyer Report) and RICS Level 3 Home Survey (Building Survey).
The Level 1 survey is the most basic option, the Level 2 survey is intermediate, and the Level 3 survey is the most extensive. Your chosen survey will depend on factors such as the depth of information you want to know about the property, its age and its overall condition.
We've used our experience to break down the main RICS Home Survey types and all other survey options available in this article.
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What are the Different Types of RICS Home Surveys?
The details provided in your report will entirely depend on the house survey you request. Home Surveys are levelled according to how much the surveyor inspects and the depth of the report.
Here is a breakdown of the three main RICS Home Surveys:
RICS Level 1 Home Survey
| Survey Type: | Basic |
| Average Cost: | £380 |
| Inspection Time: | 1-2 hours |
| Age of Property: | Less than 5 years |
| General Condition of Property: | Good |
The RICS Level 1 Home Survey, also known as a Condition Report, is the most basic survey available. It is a surface-level survey, so your surveyor will only assess the property's general condition and cover the following:
- Surface-level issues (floor damage, water stains)
- Pre-existing damage
- Flags any potential legal issues
- General overview of the property
- Maintenance issues
- Any defects present
- Utility checks (gas, electricity, water)
The report will not include any further details on any of the defects present. As a result, it's not recommended if you have any particular concerns about the property.
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RICS Level 2 Home Survey
| Survey Type: | Intermediate |
| Average Cost: | £445 |
| Inspection Time: | 2-4 hours |
| Age of Property: | Up to 50 years |
| General Condition of Property | Reasonable |
The RICS Level 2 Home Survey, previously known as a HomeBuyers Report, is an intermediate house survey and the most popular option. Your surveyor will undertake a visual inspection of the property and assess the following:
- Internal and external checks of the property
- Roof, walls and ceilings
- Signs of damp, drainage and insulation problems
- Timber (for rot and woodworm)
- Signs of structural damage
- Boundary walls and any outbuildings such as garages
- Loft inspection (if access is available)
- Utility checks
Your surveyor will only examine exposed areas without moving any possessions or furniture. The survey report is detailed and will highlight any areas of concern. Unlike the RICS Level 1 Home Survey, the Level 2 Report will advise on the defects present.
How Can I Find A House Surveyor?
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Here at Compare My Move, we can connect you with up to 6 of the best surveyors operating in your area. Simplify use our surveying comparison form to compare quotes and save on your surveying costs today.
All our partners have passed our strict verification process to join our network, which includes being regulated by either RICS or the RPSA.
RICS Level 3 Home Survey
| Survey Type: | Advanced |
| Average Cost: | £629 |
| Inspection Time: | 4-8 hours |
| Age of Property: | Over 50 years |
| General Condition of Property: | Run down |
The RICS Level 3 Home Survey, previously known as a Building Survey, is the most comprehensive survey available. Your surveyor will undertake a deep inspection of the interior and exterior of the property, including:
- Full internal and external checks (including moving furniture and lifting loose carpets)
- Signs of damp and asbestos
- Structural integrity of the building
- Severity of any defects found
- Grounds of the property
- Any outbuildings, lofts or cellars present
- Utility checks (gas, electricity, water)
The report will provide in-depth details on any defects and will include advice on fixing issues and estimated repair costs. It provides peace of mind when buying an older or non-conventional property.
Do I Need a Survey?
While surveys aren't a legal requirement, you should have one carried out on a property you want to purchase. Without a survey, you risk buying a property with serious defects that can be expensive to resolve.
Being aware of all issues with a property before committing to its purchase is integral and will help you avoid buying a property that needs significant investment.
Read more on Do I Have to Have a Survey When Buying a House in the UK?
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What House Survey Do I Need?
Below, we have listed several things to consider when thinking about what survey type you need:
| RICS Level 1 Home Survey | RICS Level 2 Home Survey | RICS Level 3 Home Survey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| You are buying a standard property | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| You are buying a property less than five years old | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| The general condition of the property is good | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| You want condition ratings of any issues found | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| You want to receive a basic report of the surveyor's findings | ✔ | ||
| You are buying a property up to 50 years old | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| The general condition of the property is reasonable | ✔ | ✔ | |
| You want internal and external checks carried out on the property | ✔ | ✔ | |
| You want a detailed report of the surveyor's findings | ✔ | ✔ | |
| You are buying a property over 50 years old | ✔ | ||
| The property has been significantly altered | ✔ | ||
| You want to significantly alter the property | ✔ | ||
| You want an in-depth RICS report of the property's condition (including structural integrity and any defects present) | ✔ | ||
| You want an in-depth inspection of the internal and external areas of the property | ✔ | ||
| You want advice on any major issues present and repairs needed | ✔ | ||
| The property isn't in great condition | ✔ |
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Other Types of House Surveys
While the RICS Home Surveys are the main survey types to consider, there are other surveys available for specific purposes.
Your surveyor may recommend having one of these surveys carried out in addition to a RICS Home Survey if issues are flagged within your RICS report.
| Survey Type | Cost | What it Covers | When it's Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snagging Survey | £300-£600 | Snags and defects in a property | Before moving into a new build property |
| Home Report | £300-£500 | The condition of Scottish homes | When a seller is selling a home in Scotland |
| RICS Valuation | £394-£561 | Provides an accurate idea of the property's worth | When buying or selling a property |
| Mortgage Valuation Survey | £233 | The cost of the property and ensures loan security | If a property is being purchased with a mortgage |
| Structural Survey | £630-£1,390 | The structural integrity of a building, including its foundations by a structural engineer | When issues are flagged by a surveyor in a RICS Level 2 or 3 Home Survey |
| Specific Defect Survey | £783 | Specific defects within the property (such as walls or the ceiling) | If recommended by your surveyor after a RICS Level 2 or 3 Home Survey |
| Damp and Timber Survey | £228-£498 | Identifies signs of damp within a property and concerns with the timber | If damp is flagged as a concern in a RICS Level 2 or 3 Home Survey, when buying an older property, or when a mortgage lender requests it |
| Roof Survey | £300-£500 | Potential issues with the property's roof | If roof concerns are raised in your RICS Level 2 or 3 Home Survey |
| Historic Building Survey | £629 | To ensure a historical building remains conserved | When building work is being carried out on a listed or historical building |
| CCTV Drainage Survey | £274 | Checks for issues with the property's drainage system | If you are concerned with the drainage of a property you want to purchase |
| Asbestos Survey | £316 | Identifies the presence of any materials containing asbestos in a building | If you are carrying out construction work on a building built before 2000 |
| Gas Safety Inspection Survey | £94 | Safety checks of all gas pipework and appliances by a registered engineer | If you have any gas safety concerns or you are looking to rent out your property |
| Boundary (Land) Survey | £647 per day | Determines the exact location of a property's boundaries | To help resolve party wall disputes |
| Subsidence Survey | £630-£1,390 | Highlights subsidence concerns within the property's | If your surveyor raises subsidence concerns in your RICS Level 2 or 3 Home Survey |
FAQs
What are the 3 Main Types of House Surveys?
The three main types of house surveys are:
- RICS Level 1 Home Survey
- RICS Level 2 Home Survey
- RICS Level 3 Home Survey
How Long Does a Survey Take?
Here are the average times for each home survey:
- RICS Level 1 Home Survey - 1 to 2 hours
- RICS Level 2 Home Survey - 2 to 4 hours
- RICS Level 3 Home Survey - 4 to 8 hours
Read more on How Long Does a Survey Take?
What is the Difference Between a Level 1 and Level 2 House Survey?
A RICS Level 1 House Survey is very basic compared to the RICS Level 2 House Survey. It is better suited to properties under five years old, and it doesn't contain a detailed analysis of the property.
The Level 2 Survey is far more comprehensive and provides details on any issues or defects found. It's better suited for properties that are under 50 years old.
Do I Need a Level 2 or Level 3 Survey?
If you are purchasing a property under 50 years old that is still in a reasonable condition, you can get a RICS Level 2 Home Survey carried out. This survey is still detailed, and your surveyor will flag any issues they have found during their internal and external inspections of the property.
If the property you want to purchase is over 50 years old, in a poor condition or has had significant work carried out on it, a RICS Level 3 Home Survey is a better option. The inspection is more detailed, and your surveyor will advise you on any structural issues or defects that must be addressed.
Does Level 2 Survey Check for Damp?
Yes, a RICS Level 2 Home Survey will involve checks for damp. If signs of damp are present, your surveyor will raise this in the detailed report they create. The damp will need to be present in areas that are clearly visible.
Does a Level 3 Survey Give a Valuation?
No, a RICS Level 3 Home Survey doesn't include a valuation on the property. You can ask your surveyor to carry out a RICS Valuation in addition to the RICS Level 3 Home Survey for you.
*Based on the average service costs for Compare My Move users and our own research. See how our data works.
