Looking for a residential property surveyor in the Welsh capital of Cardiff? In the last year, we have helped over 200 home buyers find a residential property surveyor over the last year.
Cardiff boasts a range of property types including grand Victorian terrace houses and luxury new apartments. From young professionals and students to growing families, there’s a range of accommodation to suit everyone. Be aware that if you’re viewing Cardiff’s older homes, you will likely need a RICS Level 3 Survey to assess their structure. Modern homes will be more suitable to a RICS Level 2 Survey.
Compare My Move can connect you with the best in the business to help you with your house purchase. We can match you with up to 6 RICS registered surveyors, all having been through our strict verification process. This ensures you’re all matched with the most professional and qualified surveyors in Cardiff.
ForeSite Surveyors
Operating in Cardiff.
ForeSite Surveyors are a professional and reliable property surveyor offering our services around Cardiff and South Wales.
Frances Lynn
"Jon was very responsive to my emails which was great. Survey was carried out really quickly and the report sent to me the very next day! Everything in the report was simple and easy to understand."
Cosey Homes Chartered Surveyors
Operating in Cardiff.
Cosey Homes Chartered Surveyors are a RICS registered chartered surveying company. First established in 2003, we have carried out thousands of property surveys all over the country.
Brian Hassen
"Outstanding service and report that has saved us thousands on structural defects of a property that we were so nearly cosmetically seduced by. Thank you!"
Countrywide Home Surveys
Operating in Cardiff.
With over 450 in-house RICS qualified surveyors, Countrywide Home Surveys operates one of the largest, most trusted property surveying and valuation practices in the UK.
Clare Verduyn
"Fast and effective. "
Gibson Abbot Limited
Operating in Cardiff.
Gibson Abbot Limited are a firm of professional property surveyors covering Hereford, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford, Walsall, Carlisle, Crewe, Guildford, Redhill, Tunbridge Wells and Shrewsbury.
RH Seel & Co
Operating in Cardiff.
RH Seel & Co is a Cardiff-based surveyor that serves the Cardiff, Bristol, Bath, and Newport areas. Established in 1898, we are one of the largest independent property specialists, offering an array of survey and valuation services.
Snag My New Home
Operating in Cardiff.
Snag My New Home is a professional surveying company based in London. We cover many areas across England and Wales, such as Birmingham, Cambridge, London and Bristol.We have a fantastic knowledge of new properties and the high standards they should attain. With over 15 years of experience in the property industry, we are on hand to provide you with our expert assistance.Our team works quickly and efficiently to ensure we provide you with the snagging survey results quickly. Each report is sent via a PDF within 24 hours of our visit to the property. We pride ourselves in our customer satisfaction and the service we provide.
New Home Quality Control
Operating in Cardiff.
New Home Quality Control is a Dafen-based surveyor working in a variety of areas across England and Wales including Cardiff, Manchester, and Telford. We have worked in the property industry for over 20 years and understand the regulations and quality that houses should be in on completion.
Western Building Consultants Ltd
Operating in Cardiff.
Western Building Consultants Ltd is a Bath-based surveyor working in numerous areas including Bristol, Gloucester, and Newport. We aim to provide comprehensive and tailored solutions through various services to ensure that you proceed with property transactions with confidence.
Pemberton Chartered Surveyors
Operating in Cardiff.
Pemberton Chartered Surveyors is a Cardiff-based surveyor serving the Cardiff and Newport areas. We are regulated by RICS and are members of the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA), meaning that we conduct all surveys to an excellent standard, following all procedures and regulations.
Nick Jones Surveys
Operating in Cardiff.
Here at Nick Jones Surveys, we are a professional surveying company based in South Wales. We cover both Newport and Cardiff. Being a member of RICS, you can rest assured knowing that the service we provide is high quality.With over 20 years of experience in the surveying industry, we are here to assist you with all your surveying needs. Customer service is at the heart of our business, and we will always keep you updated on how your survey is progressing.
Our dedicated Compare My Move team work tirelessly to answer all your vital questions about surveying in Cardiff. Our own data has shown that the most popular survey type in the city is the RICS Level 2 Survey, with 73% of our users requesting this survey for their house purchase.
Our team’s research also revealed that whilst there’s a low to moderate risk of subsidence amongst Cardiff properties, there is a very high chance of Japanese Knotweed being found. When buying a property in the area, our RICS registered surveying partners can help you uncover any defects or damage before you commit to the transaction.
Data from Compare My Move shows that the majority of Cardiff buyers require a RICS Level 2 Survey, with around 73% of users organising one for their property purchase. The remaining percentage of users requested a RICS Level 3 Survey for their transaction, with 25.58% needing them for their traditional terraced homes. This isn’t surprising as many terraced houses in Cardiff are over 80-years old and require a thorough assessment.
Terraced houses were also the property types that required the highest number of RICS Level 2 Surveys, with a majority of 27.19%. Many of the terraced homes in Cardiff are fairly old and often need more extensive work compared to other property types - this explains why so many Compare My Move users search for property surveyors in this city.
There’s a higher demand for existing properties rather than new-builds, which is reflected in the low percentage of users requiring property surveys for their flats. Only 4.97% of flat owners requested RICS Level 2 Surveys, whilst an incredibly low 0.58% required a RICS Level 3 Survey. If you’re one of the few people purchasing a new-build home in Wales’ Capital, don’t forget to arrange a RICS Level 2 Survey or snagging list to highlight any issues.
If you’re looking to save up to 70% on your surveying costs, don’t forget to compare quotes using Compare My Move today. The results presented in a survey report can help you negotiate on the asking price of a property or convince you not to invest in the home at all.
From contemporary new developments to Victorian terraced homes, Cardiff offers a variety of property types to explore. As the city’s coal port prospered in the 19th century, many of the houses on the market today are from the Victorian era, including large detached homes that are perfect for growing families. As these types of properties are relatively old, the need for a property survey is much greater.
If the home you’re viewing is within close proximity to the bay, the River Taff or the Ely River, then it’s advised you hire a surveyor to assess any possible water damage as these areas are often subject to flood alerts.
It’s important to note that Cardiff has 27 conservation areas that have all been designated for their special architectural or historic interest. Any properties within these areas will be preserved due to their history and so the owners will have to request special permission should they wish to alter the buildings or land. There are also around 1,000 listed buildings in Cardiff which would, again, require permission to be altered. If you’re interested in purchasing any listed buildings, a common property survey will not be enough - you will need to find a specialist to conduct a Listed Buildings Survey instead.
Older properties are the most popular amongst many Cardiff buyers.
Listed Buildings | 1,000 |
Conservation Areas | 27 |
New Build Sales* | 21 |
Existing Property Sales* | 324 |
*Based on data for 2023
One issue a property survey may highlight is subsidence. Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath your property sinks or collapses, causing the foundations to misalign. Although there are some obvious signs such as large cracks around windows and door frames, the effects of subsidence are not always visible which is why a property survey is so vital.
According to the UK Subsidence Map, Cardiff properties have a low to moderate risk of experiencing issues from subsidence. As Cardiff is a very active city, there are a large number of properties being built in small, condensed areas which will add further pressure and weight, drying the ground out and making it more susceptible to subsidence. This may not be an issue for many homeowners in the city, but it is still a vital factor of any survey report.
On the UK Clay Hazards Map, Cardiff is situated on a piece of land that is marked on the border of a Hazard Level D and Level A to C area. Hazard Level A to C means there is no threat of subsidence being caused by the type of clay soil found in the ground. However, the section of Cardiff that is labelled as a Hazard Level D is more susceptible. If a property is built on a clay-rich soil, the ground beneath can begin to swell or shrink, especially when there’s a change in temperature or there’s heavy rainfall.
Don’t forget to inspect the house you’re viewing before committing to the purchase. If there are large, 10cm cracks around the windows or door frames, it may have been affected by subsidence which will greatly decrease its value. Compare surveying quotes today to ensure you’re connected with the most professional surveyors in Cardiff.
Japanese Knotweed, also known as Fallopia Japonica, is an invasive and destructive plant that can rapidly grow in gardens and on homes. It can be extremely difficult to remove and it’s advised you seek professional help should you find the plant on your land. Japanese Knotweed can also devalue a property by up to 10%.
As you can see on Environet’s Japanese Knotweed Heatmap, Cardiff is a major hotspot for infestations. There are areas closer to the bay that have fewer occurrences, but the more inland the street, the more likely you are to encounter Japanese Knotweed. Whilst this may sound alarming initially, there are a number of local specialists who can remove the plant and control the spread. You should never attempt to remove the plant yourself as you can cause much more damage to your property and land.
If you’re searching for a new home in Cardiff, organising a property survey will be a vital step in the process. This is especially true if you’re worried that the property may have Japanese Knotweed on the premises. Both a RICS Level 2 and 3 Survey will highlight if there are signs of the intrusive plant. You can then discuss your options with the surveyor and plan your next steps.
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