RICS Homebuyers Surveys in London

Get a clear picture of a property’s condition and avoid unexpected costs with a RICS Homebuyer Survey from Crest Surveyors, covering London and the Home Counties.

What Is a RICS Homebuyer Survey?

A Homebuyer Survey is a report designed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to highlight vital information about the condition of a property.

The survey includes an assessment of all parts of the property, with the aim of evaluating its condition and helping potential buyers to make an informed decision. A RICS Homebuyer Survey includes an inspection of the property itself, paving and other structures within the property boundary.

If the property is more than 50 years old, unconventional, has been altered or requires significant alteration, a comprehensive building survey would be more suitable. A homebuyer report is most suitable for conventional properties and buildings that appear to be in good condition but do not fully meet building regulations.

Do I Need a RICS Homebuyer Survey For My Property?

There are a number of instances when you should get a RICS Homebuyer Survey:

For the purchase of homes built within the last 50 years
For the purchase of standard construction homes
When you’re not sure of the condition of a property
To assess the extent of renovation needed
To negotiate a lower price

What is Included in a RICS Homebuyer Survey?

A RICS Homebuyer Survey includes the assessment of the condition of accessible parts of the property, both inside and out. This includes any additional structures within the property boundary. You’ll also receive:

Assessment of the property condition beyond what can be seen physically
Assessment of hidden defects, such as timber decay and damp that may not be easily identified

Use Our Level 2 Survey Cost Calculator

Our RICS Homebuyer Survey starts from £649, with the final cost depending on the size and type of the property. Use our Level 2 survey cost calculator below to get an instant, tailored quote for your homebuyer survey.

Areas We Cover

At Crest Surveyors, we’re proud to provide RICS Homebuyer Surveys across London and the South East of England, offering extensive regional coverage.

If you’re living further afield and need our help, get in touch with a member of our team, and we’ll let you know if we can make it over.

Surrounding Towns and Cities

Our surveyors also cover key locations across the South East, such as:

Luton
Chelmsford
Reading
Guildford
Peterborough
Cambridge

Greater London Boroughs

We operate throughout Greater London, including but not limited to:

Bromley
Romford
Sutton
Bexley
Croydon
Harrow

Choosing Crest Surveyors for Your Homebuyer Surveys in London and Surrey

At Crest Surveyors, we specialise in property valuations and homebuyer surveys in London and our neighbouring county, Surrey, but we can also service any of the home counties! With years of industry experience and in-depth knowledge of our local area, we work to provide you with the highest quality of service to let you know if there are any issues or defects with your property or potential new purchase.

London and Surrey are both affluent and expanding areas in the south-east of England. Properties for rent or purchase in these areas are in high demand, with a growing market for family homes, first-time buyer properties and apartments for convenient city-centre living.

Specific concerns relating to Surrey include flood risk areas, radon areas, or issues with timber in homes such as dry rot or woodworm. We will leave no aspect of the property uninvestigated in our Homebuyer Survey to ensure that every detail has been carefully examined. If you are concerned about any of these issues, our expert team is available to help you with advice and guidance.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced mover, you’ll need a Homebuyer Survey to provide you with a full understanding of the building’s current condition. Our local and affordable services are here to help you make the process simple and easy. Contact our RICS-qualified specialists today to book your survey.

London Homebuyer Survey FAQs

What is Included in a RICS Homebuyer Survey?

RICS homebuyer surveys involve a visual assessment of all major indoor and outdoor features of the property, with a particular focus on the property’s condition beyond what can be seen physically, such as hidden defects, decay, and dampness. The assessment will look at ceilings, roofs, walls, bathrooms, and kitchens, as well as any permanent outdoor structures and features, such as outbuildings, roofing, pipes and guttering.

Is it Worth Getting a RICS Homebuyer Survey?

Although not a legal requirement, it is strongly recommended to have a homebuyer survey conducted on a property you wish to purchase. A homebuyer survey details any issues, defects, and potential problems you may not have been aware of by simply viewing the property. If any potential problems are identified, you could use the survey to renegotiate the price of the property.

When Should I Book a RICS Homebuyer Survey?

You should book a homebuyer survey as soon as possible after your offer on the property has been accepted, but before contracts are exchanged. Exchanging contracts makes the purchase legally binding, and any defects or problems found after this time cannot undo the purchase.

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Homebuyer Survey?

For any homebuyer survey it depends on the size of the property. Typically for an average-sized property in London, it can take around two hours to complete the inspection. We would then need to create the report in our office, which we would create within 4-6 days.

Should I Use a Surveyor Recommended by My Lender or Estate Agent?

We would always recommend seeking an independent surveyor of your choosing for your RICS homebuyer survey. It is best to choose a surveyor that has knowledge of the local area.

Can I Discuss the Report With My Surveyor Once Completed?

We trust that the contents of our reports are satisfactory for your purposes, however, our homebuyer surveyors are happy to discuss any queries you should have regarding the results of the report and will happily share any guidance you may need.

Book a RICS Homebuyer Survey in London & Home Counties Today

Crest Chartered Surveyors offers RICS Homebuyer Surveys in London & Home Counties. Fill in the form below, and one of our RICS Registered Surveyors will call you back to discuss your requirements and to schedule an appointment.

Alternatively, you can call us on 020 3940 1118 to make your booking.