Straight answers about surveys, valuations and moving home
Written by the team, checked by RICS surveyors. No jargon, no scare tactics.
When a Gas Survey Matters More Than a Homebuyers Survey
Learn when a gas survey is essential, what it checks, and how it can prevent costly repairs and delays during your UK property purchase process.
Common Mistakes in Asbestos Survey Reports Buyers Overlook
Learn the common pitfalls buyers miss in an asbestos survey report, how to spot red flags and what to ask before you commit to a purchase.
Beyond Snagging: Red Flags Requiring Engineer or Building Control Review
Learn which new build defects go beyond snagging and when a snagging survey should trigger structural engineer or building control review, with proof tips
Wall Tie Risk Checks: Spot Cavity Wall Warning Signs and Know When to Survey
Learn key wall warning signs by property age, location and planned works, plus when a wall tie survey is advised for renovators and buyers.
Party Wall & Drainage Checks for Extensions: Responsibility, Inspection, Survey
Learn who is responsible for party wall and drainage checks, what to inspect, and when to book a CCTV drain survey for your extension work.
Landlord EPC Exemptions: What to Check Before Applying
A practical introduction to EPC exemptions for landlords, with guidance on checking eligibility and official registration in England and Wales.
What Is the Minimum EPC Rating for a Rented Home in England and Wales?
The current domestic private rented property minimum EPC rating in England and Wales, who it covers and why proposed targets are not current law.
When Does a Rental Property Need a New EPC?
Find out when landlords need a valid EPC, how to check expiry and why improvement works might prompt reassessment.
EPC Certificate vs Home Survey: What Is the Difference?
Understand why an EPC energy rating is not the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 home survey when buying or selling a property.
Do You Need an EPC Before Listing a House for Sale?
Learn when a seller must order an EPC, how to check for a valid existing certificate and how to arrange a new assessment.
Do I Need a New EPC or Can I Use My Existing Certificate?
Check whether an existing Energy Performance Certificate is still valid, when to get a new one and where to look it up.
How Long Does It Take to Get an EPC Certificate?
Understand the steps from booking an EPC assessor to receiving a lodged certificate, and what can affect timing.
What Happens at an EPC Assessment?
Find out what a domestic energy assessor checks, how to prepare for the visit and what happens after an EPC assessment.
How to Verify an EPC Assessor's Accreditation
Check an EPC assessor's accreditation before booking a domestic assessment and understand why it matters for the lodged certificate.
How to Compare EPC Quotes Without Missing the Essentials
A practical checklist for comparing EPC quotes, including assessor accreditation, appointment dates and certificate lodgement.
Who Pays for an EPC When Selling or Letting?
Learn who usually arranges and pays for an EPC when a home is sold or let, and when it needs to be ordered.
EPC Cost for a Flat vs a House: What Changes the Quote?
Why EPC quotes differ between flats and houses, and how to ask an assessor for a like-for-like price.
EPC for Landlords: Current Requirements and How to Arrange One
Landlord EPC requirements explained: when you need a valid certificate, the current England and Wales minimum standard, and how to book an assessor.
How to Get an EPC Certificate for Your Home
A practical guide to getting a domestic EPC: check the register, find an accredited assessor, arrange a visit and receive the lodged certificate.
EPC Assessor Near Me: How to Find an Accredited Professional
Find an accredited domestic EPC assessor near your property. Learn what to check, how the visit works and how to get a tailored quote.
How Much Does an EPC Certificate Cost?
EPC prices vary by property and assessor. Learn what affects the cost, what a quote should include and how to check if you already have a valid certificate.
After Your Snagging List: Evidence Pack and Escalation Steps
Learn how a snagging survey supports warranty claims, developer disputes and ADR or ombudsman routes, plus extra tests that prove defects.
Snagging Surveys for New‑Build Buyers Planning a Loft Conversion
Planning a loft conversion in a new build? A snagging survey helps spot defects early, protecting your budget, timeline and build quality.
Level 2 or Level 3? The only guide you'll actually need
It's the question every buyer asks, and the answer is about the property, not the price. Here's how to choose in two minutes.
Booking Specialist Surveys for Basement Flats and Lower-Ground Homes
Learn when to book a damp and timber report for basement flats and lower-ground homes, and how specialist surveys help protect buyers and owners.
When a Damp & Timber Report Is Better Than Replastering
Before replastering, get a damp and timber report to pinpoint causes, avoid repeat repairs and protect your home purchase with expert guidance.
Booking a Pre-Completion Snagging Survey: Access, Safety, and Developer Rules
Learn how to arrange a snagging survey before completion, including access rights, site safety rules, and what developers may allow in the UK.
What Happens in a CCTV Drain Survey Before You Complete the Work
Discover what inspectors check, how long it takes and what you receive from a CCTV drain survey before you proceed with repairs or a purchase.
New-Build Survey Timeline: Snagging, CCTV, Thermal, Airtightness, MEP Checks
Follow a step by step new build timeline showing when to book a snagging survey plus CCTV drains, thermal imaging, ventilation and MEP checks.
Leasehold Damp & Timber Reports: What You Can Demand Before Exchange
Learn who pays for a damp and timber report on leasehold flats, what to request before exchange, and how to use findings in service charge talks and Section 20 works.