Compare Homebuyer Surveys in Manchester

Save up to 70% off your surveying costs
Regulated Property Surveyors
Used by over 750,000 movers in the UK
Used by over 750,000 movers in the UK
Helping people save for over 10 years
Save up to 70% on the cost of moving

Moving House in Manchester? Save Up To 70% On Your RICS Level 2 Survey

If you’re looking to purchase a home in Manchester, we can help you find a reliable, local surveyor. In the last year, we’ve matched almost 300 home buyers with a surveyor in the city.

Manchester has an average property price of £286,559, with a range of traditional Victorian and Edwardian terraced homes, converted buildings and new-builds available.

As the city is located close to three rivers (the Medlock, Irwell and Mersey), property surveys are incredibly important as there are a number of areas considered as high risk for flooding and dampness. Many of these homeowners will require a RICS Level 3 Survey to assess the risk of potential flooding.

We can connect you with up to 6 RICS registered property surveyors in the city of Manchester. All of our partners must go through our strict verification process, ensuring you will only be matched with the most professional surveyors in the Manchester area.

Our Manchester Chartered Surveyors

    As seen in: BT

    FAQs About Surveying in Manchester

    Compare My Move have conducted research to answer the important questions when it comes to surveying in Manchester. Our data shows that the most popular survey type in the city is a RICS Level 2 Survey, despite the amount of older homes in Manchester which would be best suited for a RICS Level 3 Survey. 

    We discovered that the city is a “hotspot” for Japanese Knotweed, with subsidence being another issue which buyers will need to be aware of. However, a local surveyor will be able to access the home and report on any concerns. 

    To help you with your house-hunting, we’ve researched the most popular survey types in Manchester and which properties are more likely to need each survey.

    As expected, just below 40% of our Manchester users required a RICS Level 3 Survey. Despite the increased risk of damp and flooding, the RICS Level 3 Survey is mostly required for older, more unconventional properties. If you’re purchasing a home near one of the three rivers, or perhaps one of the many converted Warehouses, then it is likely you will be amongst the few needing a RICS Level 3 Survey.

    Around 60% of our Manchester users required a RICS Level 2 Survey. Again, this is unsurprising as it is the most common type of property survey and will look for a range of issues such as signs of subsidence, damp and asbestos.

    Our data also discovered that the property type most prone to requiring property surveys in Manchester was semi-detached homes. For both RICS Level 2 and 3 Surveys, semi-detached owners had the highest number of users searching for verified surveyors.

    Popular Survey Types in Manchester
    Popular Survey Types in Manchester

    What Types of Historical Architecture Does Manchester Have?

    Manchester’s growth has seen a variety of property types form, ranging from the numerous skyscrapers built between the 1960s-1970s to more modern developments in areas such as Pendleton and Oldham. With styles including Modern, Georgian, Roman and Gothic, the city has it all. However, Manchester is more famously known for its red-brick buildings.

    These surviving red-brick buildings have become a staple image for Manchester. If you’re purchasing a home of this kind, be aware that many have been redeveloped to suit modern life and the structure may be altered or weakened. A property survey will assess the building and highlight any issues. If there are extensive problems, a RICS Level 3 Survey will be thorough enough to highlight any major concerns.

    If you’re amongst the buyers searching for older, more traditional homes, then keep in mind that it can be costly to upkeep depending on the building’s age.

    There are 18,547 listed buildings in Greater Manchester, so it’s important you research the property before committing to purchase. If you’re interested in Listed Buildings however, it is not enough to have a typical property survey. Instead, you will need a specialist surveyor to conduct a Listed Building Survey. There are also 34 conservation areas in Manchester, many of which include housing for potential buyers.

    Architecture Overview From Listed Buildings to Sales of New Buildings
    Listed Buildings18, 547
    Conservation Areas34
    New Build Sales*16
    Existing Property Sales*216

    *Based on data for 2023

    Is Subsidence an Issue in Manchester?

    Geobear’s UK Subsidence Map clearly shows Manchester as a ‘hotspot’ for subsidence. The city isn’t as affected as London, but it is still a cause for concern amongst Manchester homeowners. If you’re searching for property within the city, you will need a property surveyor to assess the building to ensure any and all signs of subsidence are highlighted.

    There are a variety of factors that can cause subsidence, including weather, clay soil, shallow foundations and the area being densely populated. In the Map of the Distribution of Clay Over the UK, Manchester is labelled as a ‘Hazard Level A to C’. This means that the soil is not particularly hazardous and isn’t at risk of shrinking or swelling.

    Geobear states that cities like Manchester often suffer the most due to increased weight and pressure on the ground from buildings and skyscrapers in condensed areas. The groundwater in the area is easily used up, causing the soil to dry out and compact, increasing the risk of subsidence.

    If you’re purchasing a property in Manchester, take a look for any obvious signs of subsidence such as 3mm cracks in walls and around door frames. A RICS Level 2 Survey should suffice as it will highlight any signs in the property for you. However, if you’ve already spotted obvious signs, you should instead consider having a RICS Level 3 Building Survey.

    Manchester subsidence map taken from Geobear's website
    Manchester subsidence map taken from Geobear's website

    Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Manchester?

    Japanese Knotweed can grow as fast as 10cm a day and is capable of forcing its way through concrete and a property’s foundations. It can be extremely dangerous and can cause major cracks in brickwork or even physically sink the building.

    Environet’s Japanese Knotweed Heatmap shows Manchester as a ‘hotspot’ for this type of plant. Even though the city centre itself isn’t very ‘high risk’, the map shows a larger risk of Japanese Knotweed on the outskirts of Manchester, especially North-West of the centre.

    As populated and dense cities are often areas with increased risk, it’s unsurprising that Manchester has become a hotspot for the dangerous plant. The Manchester City Council has warned its citizens not to remove the plant themselves. Although landowners will be responsible for maintaining the plant, they must not remove it without professional aid.

    If you suspect your home could have Japanese Knotweed, hire a property surveyor to inspect the area first. Pay particular attention to the section of the report highlighting issues with the exterior of the building, such as the garden, patio and pipework. You can then continue accordingly and search for professional Japanese Knotweed removers in Manchester.

    Manchester Japanese Knotweed heatmap taken from Environet website
    Manchester Japanese Knotweed heatmap taken from Environet website