How to Find a Surveyor When Buying a House

Comparison websites give you access to a range of chartered surveyors, allowing you to choose the best for you based on reviews, experience, and price.

Compare My Move simplifies this further by connecting you with up to 6 RICS-regulated surveyors in your area, so you can compare quotes and get started quickly.

Friends, family, or neighbours who've recently bought a home can often provide the most helpful advice and recommendations for a surveyor they used.

Another tactic we've found useful is to ask for suggestions on local Facebook groups. Doing this often leads to trusted, but more independent and local professionals.

Additionally, your mortgage adviser or lender usually has a list of surveyors they work with. They can recommend one of these for you. These are typically large UK companies with surveyors based in many locations.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) are the most prominent regulators in the industry.

Using a firm listed on either of these platforms ensures your inspection is carried out to high industry standards and by a qualified professional.

Both websites include a handy search tool to help you find regulated surveyors in your area. However, they don’t display customer reviews, pricing, or estimated timelines, so you may need before settling on one.

While a newly qualified surveyor can still do a good job, those with a long or broader range of experience are generally better for an older property.

You can find details about a surveyor’s experience on their website, or by getting in touch directly to ask about their background and the types of properties they’ve worked with.

Costs vary significantly depending on the type of survey, the property size location, and the surveyor’s pricing.

You may find that some charge a flat fee, but others quote based on property value or time required.

Always ask for a full breakdown in writing, including VAT and any additional fees, before settling on a surveyor.

A clear quote makes it a lot easier to compare different surveyors, as well as giving you peace of mind there won’t be hidden surprises later.

Reviews offer an insight into what you can expect from a surveyor by giving you a glimpse into past customers’ experiences.

When using Google or Trustpilot for this, we recommend only ever choosing a firm with at least a 4-star average rating and over 50 reviews.

This helps ensure the feedback is both positive and trustworthy, rather than based on just a handful of experiences.

A surveyor who knows your local area well will likely have a better understanding of common property issues, such as damp in older terraces.

This means they’re more likely to spot lkess obvious problems early, helping you avoid costly repairs later.

If the property you’re buying is less than 50 years old, it's recommended that you have a RICS Home Survey—Level 2 report carried out. If the house you’re buying is relatively new and built with modern and common materials, this survey is sufficient. This was previously known as the Home Buyers Survey. It is the most common survey and is cheaper than a Level 3.

If the property you’re buying is over 50 years old, you should have a RICS Home Survey - Level 3 report. This survey is recommended if the house you’re buying is an older or listed building that needs or has had major renovation work. As the most comprehensive survey, your surveyor will carry out an in-depth assessment of the house.

A Snagging Survey is required for those buying a new-build home. As the house hasn't been previously owned, there shouldn't be major issues with new-build properties. This inspection can pick up on any significant matters that sometimes arise, such as issues with the fixtures and fittings.