If you’re looking to buy a new home in Exeter, Compare My Move can help you find a verified and experienced property surveyor to help you through the process. Since we began, we’ve helped thousands of users save up to 70% on their surveying costs by connecting them with up to 6 RICS registered surveyors in their local area.
Before joining the Compare My Move network, every partner must go through our stringent verification process to ensure you’re only matched with the best in the business. As part of this process, every potential surveying partner must be a RICS regulated surveyor and continually follow our code of practice.
A cathedral city in Devon County, Exeter has a variety of property types to explore, ranging from spacious detached houses to modern studio apartments. If you’re looking to purchase a flat, apartment or house that is below 80-years of age, then you will need to arrange a RICS Level 2 Survey. Any properties that are older than this or made of unusual materials would be better suited to a RICS Level 3 Survey.
Prinsegate Chartered Surveyors
9 Copsem Drive, Esher, KT10 9HD
Prinsegate Chartered Surveyors is a firm of RICS chartered surveyors, specialising in Full Building Surveys in Surrey and London, offering industry-leading standards of customer service.
Chris Mortlock
"All good, no problems , very helpful "
Keir Hamilton Surveyors
6a Rougemont Court, Farmhouse Rise, Exminster, EX6 8TQ
Based in Reading, Keir Hamilton Surveyors are a RICS regulated building surveying, construction inspection and chartered construction management consultancy.
Beth Morgan
"I was very pleased with the level of service, price and the survey itself. Couldna??t ask for a better standard, excellent communication and professionalism. Ia??m very grateful for help from Keir Hamilton surveyors - highest recommendations"
Property Surveys Devon
20 Windsor Close, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1JB
Property Surveys Devon are a RICS regulated chartered surveyor providing a RICS homebuyer report (Level 2 Survey) and RICS building survey (Level 3 Survey). We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction, which sees us delivering a first-class chartered surveying service on each job.
Janine Lees
"Excellent. Phil Routledge is clearly a very knowledgeable and thorough Surveyor whom we found to be extremely helpful too and willing to advise. Highly recommended."
Steren Surveyors
H/O Redruth House , Cornwall Business Park West , Truro, TR16 5EZ
Steren Surveyors are an independent firm of surveyors is based in Truro, Cornwall, specialises in home surveys, valuations and providing residential property advice throughout Cornwall.
HouzeCheck
Houzecheck Ltd, 42-44 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JJ
HouzeCheck are a RICS surveyor offering their expert surveying services across London. We are proud to offer a RICS Home Survey Level 2, RICS Home Survey Level 3 and a Valuation Report.
Emily Dunkley
"Considering Houzecheck wasnt the most expensive quote we received. The report was so thorough and we were pleasantly surprised. I messaged David personally with some concerns on the work that was required he replied instantly and stuck to his word by ringing back by the end of the day. He was very knowledgeable and answered every question and concern I had. I felt confident to discuss my issues with the seller. It has enabled us to continue with the sale but know exactly what work is required by getting quotes and the price of the house to reflect accordingly. I cannot fault Houzecheck. I would definitely recommend to others and use this company again in the future. "
Countrywide Home Surveys
Title Absolute Ltd, Broadhurst House, Manchester, M1 6EU
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.
Maureen Tataryn
"Very easy to deal with quick and very accommodating, Easy to understand "
Stephen Lloyd Chartered Surveyors
41 Templer Road, Preston, Paignton, TQ3 1EN
Stephen Lloyd Chartered Surveyors are a RICS-registered residential surveying firm in Torbay, England.
Our team at Compare My Move have created this in-depth guide with insightful data and research to help with your move to Exeter. Our unique surveying data revealed that the most common type of property survey in Exeter is the RICS Level 2 Survey.
Our research also revealed that the city is a low-risk area for both subsidence and Japanese Knotweed. However, it’s still vital you find a verified surveyor to successfully assess the home and its structure.
Using our unique data, our team discovered that the RICS Level 2 Survey is the most popular type of property survey amongst our users in Exeter. Winning by only a small percentage, around 58.7% of our users compared surveying quotes for this survey type. Of this percentage, 26.09% were buying detached properties whilst 23.91% were buying terraced homes.
Just under 40% of our users required a RICS Level 3 Survey for their new homes in Exeter. This is the most thorough type of property survey available and is best suited to unusually constructed properties or properties that are over 80-years old. When looking at our data, we discovered that 17.39% of users requesting this survey were buying detached homes and 15.22% were buying terraced houses. As they are not so common in the area, semi-detached homes had the lowest percentage for both survey types.
It’s very likely you will require a RICS Level 2 Survey when moving to Exeter, but it’s still important to do your research. If the property isn’t quite 80-years old just yet, this report will suffice. However, if the structure seems awkward or unusual or the home is fairly old, then a RICS Level 3 Survey will be a much better option.
Exeter has a rich and interesting architectural history, with the local Cathedral being one of the most iconic figures in the city. You can find examples of the Norman period still through buildings such as the Rougemont Castle, as well as many surviving medieval churches. When visiting, you’ll also notice an abundance of red sandstone buildings, many of which are from the 1400s.
Many of the older properties were sadly lost or damaged during the air-raid of May 1942 but there are still many examples of Exeter’s history still standing. When looking at residential properties, there are a number of beautiful houses from the Tudor and Stuart periods, as well as a variety of Georgian properties in the city centre.
Our team also discovered that there are currently over 1,800 listed buildings in Exeter, all of which would require a specialist Listed Building Survey when purchasing. There are also 20 conservation areas in the city, all of which are listed on the local council’s Conservation Areas Map. If you’re considering buying a listed building or a property that is located within a conservation area, know that these buildings are highly protected, meaning you will likely be limited on what work you can do to the home.
No matter what property you choose, it’s important to arrange a property survey with a regulated and experienced surveyor to ensure you’re fully informed before completing the sale. Both a RICS Level 2 and 3 Survey will highlight any defects that may affect your decision to purchase the home.
Listed Buildings | 1,800+ |
Conservation Areas | 20 |
New Build Sales* | 1 |
Existing Property Sales* | 140 |
*Based on data for 2023
When buying a home in Exeter, arranging a RICS Level 2 or 3 Survey will be essential as it will reveal any hidden damage or defects that may affect the property’s value. One of these issues could be subsidence. Subsidence is a dreaded term for many homeowners in the UK as it can greatly devalue a home and make it difficult to sell further down the line.
There are a number of reasons subsidence may occur, including weather, the presence of clay soil or even shallow foundations. According to Geobear’s UK Subsidence Map, Exeter appears to be a fairly low-risk area. There is one pocket of land that is labelled as showing signs of subsidence, but even this is marked as low risk.
However, it’s still vital that you do not underestimate the importance of arranging a property survey. Even with a low risk of subsidence, there may still be hidden problems that only a RICS Level 2 or 3 Survey can uncover. If you do notice signs of subsidence, such as large cracks around windows and door frames, then it’s advised you organise a RICS Level 3 Survey to assess the property’s structure and foundations.
Japanese Knotweed is a highly destructive and intrusive plant that can force its way through drains and concrete if not treated. This is why it’s vital you organise a property survey when buying a house as your surveyor should be able to highlight if it’s present on the property. Japanese Knotweed is another factor that can devalue a home and can be expensive to treat.
According to Environet’s Japanese Knotweed UK Heatmap, Exeter has a low risk of Japanese Knotweed infestations. Within 4km of the city centre, there have been 19 recorded occurrences, showing that the formidable plant has made its way to the southwest of the country.
If your property survey highlights the presence of Japanese Knotweed, do not attempt to remove the plant yourself. It is a very difficult process that can cause more damage to the property if done incorrectly. You will instead require the help of a professional remover within Exeter - this can cost up to £3,000.
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