Homes For Sale New Builds House Prices Sold Prices
Find My Agent Instant valuation Sell On Home Selling Guide
Homes To Rent Market Rents Letting Agents
Compare Agents Mortgages Compare Surveyors Surveyor Directory Mortgages Conveyancing Removals
Home Management Broadband Energy Home Insurance
List for Free The Toolkit Become a Founding Agent
Claim Your Business The Toolkit Become a Founding Surveyor
Sign In
Book a Valuation

For Homebuyers

Compare local RICS surveyors

Compare fixed quotes, availability and verified reviews from local RICS-regulated surveyors.

Enter postcode or address
Compare surveyors

Completely private unless you choose to book.

RICS-regulated firms Secure online booking No obligation

Every firm

shown is RICS-regulated

£0

hidden fees — fixed prices inc. VAT

UK-wide

local surveyor coverage

12 mins

from postcode to booked

What your surveyor is looking for

You only buy it once.
Find everything first.

A survey is a trained pair of eyes on the parts of a house you’d never check yourself. This is what surveyors find every week.

Structural movement — found during a RICS home survey

Structural movement

Stepped cracking through brickwork that may need monitoring, repair or further investigation.

Damp & moisture — found during a RICS home survey

Damp & moisture

Penetrating and rising damp, blistered finishes and moisture readings behind the paint.

Roof defects — found during a RICS home survey

Roof defects

Slipped, cracked and delaminating tiles a buyer never sees from the pavement.

Blocked guttering — found during a RICS home survey

Blocked guttering

Moss-packed, overflowing gutters quietly soaking the wall below.

Condensation & mould — found during a RICS home survey

Condensation & mould

Cold spots, failed seals and black mould around frames and finishes.

Ceiling stains & leaks — found during a RICS home survey

Ceiling stains & leaks

Tide-marks and sagging that betray a leak somewhere above.

Plumbing & drainage — found during a RICS home survey

Plumbing & drainage

Corroded joints, slow drips and ageing pipework.

Failed pointing — found during a RICS home survey

Failed pointing

Crumbling mortar joints that let the weather into the wall.

Chimney defects — found during a RICS home survey

Chimney defects

Cracked pots, eroded mortar and failed flashings. Easy to miss from the ground.

Timber rot & woodworm — found during a RICS home survey

Timber rot & woodworm

Decayed frames and sills that give way under a screwdriver.

Dated or unsafe electrics — found during a RICS home survey

Dated or unsafe electrics

Old fuse boxes and tired wiring that may need testing or replacing.

Also checked: Asbestos in older homes Drainage & heating Loft & roof spaces Condition ratings 1-2-3

A survey is a visual inspection of what’s accessible, not a guarantee. Checks outside its scope, like lifting floors or testing services, can be arranged separately.

What to expect

Your survey, on one live view.

Check availability, chat privately, book securely and track your surveyor. No phone calls, no chasing.

home.

23 Acacia Road, SW18

RICS Level 2 · HomeBuyer Survey

Sarah is 12 mins away Live tracking

Sarah M. MRICS

★ 4.9 · 120 surveys

RICS

  1. Booked & paid

    £525 fixed, inc. VAT · Stripe

  2. Surveyor en route Live

    Arriving around 09:40

  3. Inspection

    Around 2–3 hours on site

  4. Report delivered

    Expected Fri 12 Jun

Illustrative view — quotes, timings and availability vary by property and area.

Check availability

See each surveyor’s earliest visit and pick a slot that fits your timeline.

Chat privately

Ask about access, the loft, that crack in the render. Your details stay private until you book.

Book securely

Pay the fixed, VAT-inclusive quote online with Stripe. Written confirmation lands straight away.

Track your surveyor

Follow the job from booked, to inspected, to report delivered.

View across the rooftops and chimneys a surveyor inspects during a RICS home survey

Your surveyor is the only person in the deal who’s actually been up to the roof.

Independent of the agent. Independent of the seller. Working for you.

Browse by type

Compare by survey type.

Pick the survey you need and get instant quotes from local firms.

RICS home surveys

Level 2 HomeBuyer

RICS Level 2 (HomeBuyer) Survey

Level 3 Building Survey

RICS Level 3 (Building) Survey

Specialist surveys

Snagging survey

New-Build Snagging Survey

Damp & timber survey

Damp & Timber Survey

Structural survey

Structural Survey / Engineer's Report

Asbestos survey

Asbestos Survey

Roof survey

Roof Survey

Drone roof survey

Drone Roof Survey

Valuations

Help to Buy valuation

Help to Buy Valuation (RICS)

Shared ownership val.

Shared Ownership Valuation (RICS)

RICS valuation

Independent RICS Valuation

Compliance & certificates

EPC certificate

EPC Assessment

Which survey do you need?

RICS Level 2 vs Level 3.

Both are carried out by RICS-regulated surveyors to the RICS Home Survey Standard. The right one depends on the property’s age, size and condition.

Most common

RICS Level 2 — HomeBuyer Report

For conventional houses and flats in reasonable condition. Rates the main elements with a simple 1-2-3 traffic-light system and flags problems like damp and movement.

  • ✓ Conventional, reasonably modern homes in good order
  • ✓ 1-2-3 condition ratings on the main elements
  • ✓ Flags damp, movement and obvious defects
Compare Level 2 surveyors Read a sample report (PDF)

For older / unusual homes

RICS Level 3 — Building Survey

A deeper inspection for older, larger, listed, altered or run-down homes, or where you’re planning major works. Explains what’s wrong, why, and what it will take to put right.

  • ✓ Period, listed, extended or run-down properties
  • ✓ Explains the cause and seriousness of defects
  • ✓ Advises on repairs and further investigations
Compare Level 3 surveyors Read a sample report (PDF)

Not sure? Most standard homes need a Level 2. Choose Level 3 if the property is old, characterful or visibly tired. A mortgage valuation is not a survey — it protects the lender, not you.

Still not sure? Take the 30-second quiz

Which survey do I need?

Answer three quick questions, get a recommendation.

Tell us about the property and we’ll point you at the right survey.

How much it costs

Survey costs in 2026.

The quote you see is the price you pay, VAT included. No “from” teasers, no add-ons at checkout.

RICS Level 2 — HomeBuyer

£400–£1,000

UK average around £500 · most standard homes £465–£685

RICS Level 3 — Building Survey

£600–£1,500

UK average around £900 · large, listed or period homes at the top

Price mostly tracks the property’s value, size, age and condition. London and the South East run 10-20% above average, and a Level 3 usually costs £200–£500 more than a Level 2 on the same home.

How long it takes

Inspection and report turnaround.

You can see who’s free first and book instantly, so the survey never holds up your purchase.

RICS Level 2

On-site inspection
~1-4 hours
Report delivered
~3-5 working days

RICS Level 3

On-site inspection
~3-8 hours
Report delivered
~5-10 working days

Allow one to two weeks from booking to report. Bigger or more complex homes take longer.

Why compare here

Comparing surveyors that actually means comparing.

Rivals make you fill in a form and wait for a panel to email estimates and call you back. Home.co.uk shows you bookable quotes you can confirm in minutes.

Real fixed prices

Every quote is the price you actually pay, VAT included.

Live availability

See who can inspect soonest and confirm there and then.

Genuine reviews

Real reviews help you weigh experience, not just price.

One trusted journey

Compare, pay and get confirmed in one place, on home.co.uk.

Regulated & accountable

Every surveyor is RICS-regulated.

Look for AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS after a surveyor’s name. RICS regulation means standardised survey levels, a professional code of conduct, mandatory complaints handling and professional indemnity insurance behind every report.

  • ✓ Follows the RICS Home Survey Standard (introduced 2021)
  • ✓ Independent of the estate agent and the seller
  • ✓ Accountable to you, the buyer
RICS — Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

A Level 2 or Level 3 means the same defined scope whoever carries it out, so you’re comparing like for like — never the cheapest unqualified option.

Common questions

Surveys, answered.

What’s the difference between a RICS Level 2 and Level 3 survey?
A Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report) is a mid-level survey for conventional, reasonably modern homes in good condition; it rates the main elements with a simple 1-2-3 traffic-light system and flags defects like damp. A Level 3 (Building Survey) is a more thorough inspection for older (roughly 50+ years), larger, listed, unusual, altered or run-down properties, or where major works are planned — it explains the cause and seriousness of defects and advises on repairs.
How much does a Level 2 HomeBuyer survey cost in 2026?
In the UK a Level 2 survey typically costs around £400-£1,000, with an average near £500 and most standard homes falling in the £465-£685 range. Price depends mainly on the property’s value, size, age, condition and location — London and the South East tend to be about 10-20% higher than the national average.
How much does a Level 3 Building Survey cost in 2026?
A Level 3 survey typically costs around £600-£1,500, with a UK average near £900. Flats and small terraces sit at the lower end, while large, listed or period properties reach the top of the range. A Level 3 is usually around £200-£500 more than a Level 2 for the same property.
How long does a survey take, and when will I get the report?
A Level 2 inspection usually takes about 1-4 hours on site, with the report typically back within around 3-5 working days. A Level 3 takes longer — roughly 3-8 hours (up to a full day for large or complex homes) — with reports usually delivered within about 5-10 working days. Allow around 1-2 weeks from booking to report overall.
What does a house survey check for?
A survey is an expert visual inspection of the accessible parts of a property. It can reveal issues such as damp and rising damp, structural movement and subsidence, roof and chimney defects, timber rot and woodworm, dated or unsafe electrics, drainage and plumbing problems, and asbestos in older homes. A Level 3 goes further by explaining the likely causes and the repairs needed.
Do I actually need a survey when buying a house?
A survey is not a legal requirement in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, but it’s strongly recommended — it’s a buyer’s main chance to find defects before committing. (In Scotland a Home Report is provided by the seller.) Research consistently shows a significant share of buyers who get a survey take action on what it finds, such as renegotiating the price or asking the seller to fix problems.
Is a survey the same as a mortgage valuation?
No. A mortgage valuation is carried out for the lender to confirm the property is worth roughly what they’re lending — it’s not a survey of condition and isn’t designed to protect you. A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey is an independent assessment of the property’s condition for your benefit as the buyer, and is a separate, more detailed service.
What does “RICS-regulated” mean and why does it matter?
RICS is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the professional body for property surveyors (members use AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS). RICS regulation means the surveyor follows the RICS Home Survey Standard, a professional code of conduct and complaints procedure, and carries professional indemnity insurance. Every surveyor compared on Home.co.uk is RICS-regulated.
Do the quoted prices include VAT, and are they the final price?
Yes. The prices you compare on Home.co.uk are fixed and inclusive of VAT — the figure you see is the figure you pay, with no “from” teasers or extra charges appearing at checkout. If a property is unusually complex and needs additional specialist investigations, the surveyor will tell you separately before any extra work is agreed.
Which survey is right for a new-build property?
New builds aren’t usually given a standard Level 2 or Level 3 survey; instead buyers typically book a snagging survey, which lists finish and workmanship defects for the developer to put right before or shortly after completion. If you’re buying a brand-new home, choose a snagging inspection rather than a HomeBuyer or Building Survey.
Does it matter whether the property is freehold or leasehold?
The survey inspects the physical building, so the survey type you need is driven by the property’s age, size and condition rather than its tenure. For a leasehold flat the surveyor inspects the flat and accessible common parts, but they don’t review the lease itself — that’s your conveyancer’s job. The survey and the legal/tenure checks run in parallel.
Should I just use the surveyor the estate agent recommends?
You don’t have to, and it’s generally wise not to default to it. The estate agent acts for the seller, so an independent surveyor you’ve chosen keeps the advice impartial. Comparing several RICS-regulated quotes on price, availability and reviews helps you get the right surveyor rather than simply the most convenient referral.
Can a survey help me renegotiate the price?
Often, yes. If a survey uncovers defects or significant repair costs, many buyers use the findings to renegotiate the purchase price or to ask the seller to carry out repairs before completion. The report gives you evidence-based grounds for that conversation — and occasionally the information to walk away from a bad buy.
Home at dusk awaiting its RICS survey

Know the house before it’s yours.

Fixed quotes, vetted RICS surveyors, booked online tonight. The survey is the cheapest part of buying a house, and the only part that tells you the truth.

Compare RICS surveyors Which survey do I need?

Property for sale

Search homes for sale across the UK on Home.co.uk.

House prices

Check sold prices and local market trends before you buy.

For surveyors

RICS report tools and listings for surveyors on Home.co.uk.

Last reviewed · Every surveyor compared is regulated by RICS · General information, not professional advice.

Compare surveyors