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Compare trusted surveyors for the home you’re buying

Instant quotes from local RICS surveyors. Compare prices, availability and reviews — then book securely through Home.co.uk.

Postcode or address
e.g. SW18 1AB or 23 Acacia Road

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RICS-regulated surveyors Instant prices Secure online booking Local coverage No obligation
RICS — Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Every surveyor we show is regulated by RICS — the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

How it works

Comparing and booking your survey, in minutes.

No forms to fill in and wait on. Enter a postcode and you’re straight into real, bookable quotes from local RICS-regulated surveyors.

1

Enter the property postcode

Tell us the home you’re buying and choose a RICS Level 2 (HomeBuyer) or Level 3 (Building) survey.

2

Compare real quotes

See local surveyors side by side on fixed price (inc. VAT), earliest availability and verified reviews — not vague “from” estimates.

3

Book and pay online

Confirm in a single sitting and pay securely. You get written confirmation straight away — no callbacks, no haggling.

4

Surveyor arranges access

Your chosen surveyor liaises with the agent or vendor and inspects the property, then sends your report.

Browse by type

Compare by survey type.

Every RICS survey, valuation and specialist report you can compare and book on Home.co.uk — pick the one you need and get instant local quotes.

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

Best for conventional houses and flats built in standard materials and in reasonable condition — typically modern to mid-20th-century homes. Uses a clear 1-2-3 traffic-light condition rating and flags issues such as damp and obvious defects.

  • ✓ 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

For older / unusual homes

RICS Level 3 — Building Survey

A deeper, more detailed inspection for older (roughly 50+ years), larger, listed, unusual, extended, altered or run-down properties, or where you’re planning major works. It explains the causes of defects and outlines the likely repairs.

  • ✓ Period, listed, extended or run-down properties
  • ✓ Explains the cause and seriousness of defects
  • ✓ Advises on repairs and further investigations
Compare Level 3 surveyors

Unsure? The safe default for most standard homes is Level 2; choose Level 3 when the property is older, characterful or visibly in need of work. A mortgage valuation is not a survey — it only tells the lender the property is worth the loan.

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 to the right RICS survey — then take you straight to compare local surveyors for it.

What it checks

The problems a survey can reveal.

A survey is an expert visual inspection of the accessible parts of a property — your best chance to find defects before you commit.

Damp & rising damp

Penetrating and rising damp, condensation and moisture problems behind finishes.

Structural movement

Subsidence, cracking and movement that may need monitoring or repair.

Roof & chimney defects

Slipped tiles, failed flashings, and chimney or parapet issues.

Timber rot & woodworm

Wet and dry rot and active beetle infestation in structural timbers.

Dated or unsafe electrics

Old wiring and consumer units that may need testing or replacing.

Drainage & plumbing

Leaks, poor drainage and ageing pipework and heating systems.

Asbestos in older homes

Materials likely to contain asbestos that warrant care or removal.

Condition ratings 1-2-3

Each main element rated 1 (fine), 2 (needs attention) or 3 (urgent/serious).

Repairs & next steps

A Level 3 explains likely causes and the repairs or specialists you may need.

Neither a Level 2 nor a Level 3 is a guarantee or insurance — they’re an expert visual inspection of accessible areas, and some checks (such as lifting floors or testing services) fall outside scope unless arranged separately.

How much it costs

Survey costs in 2026.

On Home.co.uk the quote you see is the fixed, VAT-inclusive price you pay — no “from £X” teasers and no add-ons appearing 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 is driven mainly by the property’s value, size, age and condition, plus region — London and the South East typically run about 10-20% above the national average. A Level 3 is usually around £200–£500 more than a Level 2 for the same property.

How long it takes

Inspection and report turnaround.

Because you can see each surveyor’s earliest availability and book instantly, you can line the survey up to fit your conveyancing timeline.

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

From booking to report you should generally allow around 1-2 weeks; complex, listed or larger properties can 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, inclusive of VAT — compare surveyors fairly in seconds.

Live availability

See who can inspect soonest and confirm online there and then — no waiting for a callback.

Genuine reviews

Real customer reviews help you weigh experience and service — the cheapest quote isn’t always right.

One trusted journey

From comparison to secure payment to confirmation on a long-established UK property platform.

Compare surveyors now

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 RICS Level 2 or Level 3 means the same defined scope whoever carries it out — so when you compare surveyors on Home.co.uk, you’re comparing like-for-like quality, not 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.

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