Pick the closest fit, you can always start again.
The quiz gives a steer based on typical cases. Whatever you pick, your matched surveyor confirms the right report for your property before anything is booked.
Every survey and report, explained
There is no single "house survey". RICS surveys come in levels, valuations come in flavours, and some problems need a specialist rather than a generalist. Here is the lot, in plain English, with who each one is actually for.
Conventional home, decent condition, no big plans: Level 2. Older, unusual, run-down, heavily altered or due major works: Level 3. When in doubt, Level 3 costs a little more and tells you a lot more.
RICS Home Survey Level 2 (HomeBuyer Survey)
The UK's most popular survey, and the right choice for most conventional homes built after about 1900 that look to be in reasonable condition. A RICS surveyor inspects the visible parts of the property inside and out and rates each element with an easy traffic-light system.
- Highlights urgent defects and things that affect value
- Flags risks, legal issues and what needs further investigation
- Available with or without a market valuation and reinstatement figure
Not for: period, listed, thatched, non-standard or visibly tired properties, and not if you are planning major works. That is Level 3 territory.
Full Level 2 details and pricing →RICS Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey)
The most comprehensive survey you can get. The surveyor goes deeper into the construction, looks harder for defects and explains causes, consequences and repair options in detail. It costs more and takes longer, but on the right property it is money very well spent.
- Pre-1900, listed, thatched or non-standard construction
- Properties in visibly poor condition or with known problems
- Heavily extended or altered buildings
- If you are planning major renovation or an extension
RICS valuations: four flavours, all different
A valuation is not a survey: it answers "what is it worth", not "what is wrong with it". The right report depends entirely on why you need it, because each purpose has its own rules.
- Help to Buy valuation. Repaying or staircasing a Help to Buy equity loan needs a RICS valuation that meets Target HCA criteria, or it gets bounced back. Help to Buy valuations →
- Shared ownership valuation. Buying more shares or selling a shared ownership home needs a RICS valuation for the housing association, usually valid for 3 months. Shared ownership valuations →
- Probate / matrimonial valuation. For inheritance tax, estate administration or divorce, an independent RICS figure that stands up to HMRC and solicitors. Probate valuations →
- Independent valuation. For everything else: tax, pension funds, financial planning or simply knowing what a property is genuinely worth. Independent valuations →
EPC Certificate
A legal requirement when you sell or let a property in the UK. An accredited assessor visits, rates the property from A to G and recommends improvements. The visit is quick and the certificate lasts 10 years.
EPC certificates →Party Wall Surveyor
If you are building an extension, loft conversion or basement on or near a shared wall or boundary (or your neighbour is), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies. A party wall surveyor serves the right notices, agrees the award and keeps the project legal and neighbourly.
Party wall surveyors →Specialist reports: when you know what is wrong
If a Level 2 or 3 flags something, or you already know the problem, you do not need another general survey. You need the specialist for that exact issue:
- Structural engineer report: cracks, movement, sagging, removing walls. Details →
- Timber & damp report: damp, mould, rot, woodworm, independently diagnosed. Details →
- Electrical report: wiring, consumer unit, earthing and safety. Details →
- CCTV drain report: a camera through the drains to find cracks and collapses. Details →
- Gas & heating report: boiler and gas system checked by a Gas Safe engineer. Details →
- Combined gas, heating & electrical: both in one visit. Details →
- Asbestos report: identifies and samples suspect materials in pre-2000 properties. Details →
- Wall tie report: bulging brickwork and failing cavity wall ties. Details →
The full specialist range lives on the specialist surveys hub.
Start a quote for the one you think fits and say you are unsure in the notes. We hand-match you to a RICS professional who confirms the right report for your property before you commit. You will never be oversold.
Ready when you are
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