The Different Types of House Survey

A survey is a detailed inspection of a property and will tell you everything that you need to know about the overall condition of the building. It is an essential part of buying a home and something that must be done as soon as your offer is accepted.

There are different types of surveys that are dependent on you as the buyer, as well as the house itself so it’s important to be clued up on the different types, so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.

Mortgage Valuation Report

Cost: £150 – £1500

A valuation report is simply to tell you whether the property you are about to buy is worth the amount that you have offered and is there to satisfy the lender that you’re borrowing the right amount from them before your mortgage is approved. Whilst this type of survey will provide you with a market valuation of the property, it won’t actually go into any detail about its structural condition. Some lenders may offer mortgages with free valuation surveys.

Condition Report

Cost: around £250

This report will detail the condition of the property and identify any risks or potential legal issues that need highlighting to you. This type of report is best suited for a new-build home or a conventional home that’s in good condition as no actual advice or valuation will be provided which is why it’s a very basic ‘traffic light’ survey and is cheaper in price. 

A Homebuyer Report

Cost: starting at around £450

If the property in question is a conventional one in a reasonable condition, this report is suitable and will help find any structural problems such as damp, and also any other hidden issues both inside and outside the property. It will not report on any issues beyond the floorboard or behind the walls though. Some of these reports will include a property valuation so your offer could be revised and lowered as a result of the lender’s valuation, or you could simply use the report to renegotiate.

Building Survey

Cost: upwards of £600

Sometimes known as a full structural survey, a building survey is the most suitable for all residential properties and in particular, older homes that may need repairs completing. This survey is much more extensive than others and will include the surveyor’s opinion on any potential hidden defects in the property that you wouldn’t be made aware of in other surveys. Again, this survey could report any potential repairs which you can factor the cost of and renegotiate your offer accordingly.

Should you have any questions or need any further advice when it comes to buying or selling a property, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.