You’ve found the perfect house in your ideal location and your offer has been accepted; it’s now time to do a vital but often overlooked part of the home-buying process: arrange a house survey. Like many aspects of buying a home, key information about the different types of property surveys in the UK can be difficult to understand, so we’ve broken it down for you.

Home surveys can be one of the most important parts of the buying process as they let you know the condition of the home and give you confidence to commit to the purchase. There are three types of RICS Home Survey to choose from, each with varying levels of detail and designed for different types of properties, from new-build homes to historical and listed buildings. Below, we’ll explain each one and why a professional house survey is important to consider as part of your home-buying journey.

What is a house survey?

During a RICS Home Survey, the property is overlooked by a chartered surveyor who will provide an evaluation of the property’s condition. The assessment will be impartial and based on the standards set by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and the extent of the assessment will depend on the type of property it is.

Following the Home Survey you’ll receive a report, which depending on the type of survey you choose, could be a short overview of its condition or an in-depth report on every aspect of the property from the roof to the drains. It’s also possible to request a valuation of the property with certain surveys, which might influence you to negotiate on the purchase price or even revise your decision to proceed at all.

It’s important to note that house surveys are not legally required as part of the home purchase process, and so it’s your decision as to whether you choose to commission one. You can also have a survey carried out on any type of residential property, including apartments, maisonettes and bungalows, which is why RICS uses the term ‘home survey’ rather than ‘house survey’, but we’ll use them interchangeably.

What are the different types of house surveys in the UK?

Mortgage valuation survey

A mortgage valuation survey is a basic mandatory check which is carried out by your mortgage provider as part of your application process. Simply, it checks that the property is worth the amount they are loaning to you.

It is different to a RICS Home Survey as it doesn’t outline any specific faults and buyers don’t generally get a copy of the results, but your mortgage provider may get back to you if they think the property isn’t worth the amount you’ve requested to loan from them.

RICS Level 1 Home Survey

The RICS Level 1 Home Survey (previously known as a Condition Report) is the lowest-priced survey and goes over the basics, providing a surface-level overview of the condition of the property including any potential risks or obvious defects. It is typically used for new-build homes, or fairly new and/or standard properties that appear to be in good condition, and the report won’t offer recommendations or advice on managing any identified issues, nor a valuation.

RICS Level 2 Survey

The RICS Level 2 Home Survey (formerly called a Homebuyer Report) is a more detailed option for those wishing to buy a house which is considered a standard property in reasonable condition. The survey includes a thorough inspection of the inside and outside of the property, without making any forcible changes to the property itself.

To carry out this survey requires the surveyor to utilise equipment such as a damp meter for a more thorough investigation, as well as going up into the roof space to assess the structural integrity – but any insulation material is not moved. As well as this, the outside condition of the property is taken into consideration, and advice is given on issues and repairs needed in the final report. The survey doesn’t include any enquiries into asbestos or other dangerous materials.

Homebuyers can also request a valuation with a Level 2 Home Survey, which comes at an additional cost. This includes a market valuation and insurance reinstatement figure in the report to help give you clarity on insurance.

RICS Level 3 Home Survey

A RICS Level 3 Home Survey is the most comprehensive overall and because of this, is recommended for older or more unusual properties. It gives an in-depth assessment of the property’s structural integrity and goes into details surrounding materials used on the property, defects and possible remedial work needed. Windows, roof space, flooring, drainage, internal systems – like the heating – and outside grounds are also inspected, and a report is written up.

This is the most expensive of the house survey types but is considered necessary for buyers who are interested in older properties, as they are more likely to carry serious age-related issues. Similarly, unusual properties are more likely to come with out-of-the ordinary structural or material problems. If you are looking to buy a fixer-upper property, a Level 3 Home Survey could also be useful to uncover the extent of work needed.

How to choose the right house survey

Before committing to a Home Survey, you should consider the property itself – like how old it is, the condition it is in, and the type of property it is – to determine whether you, the buyer, would feel better having that reassurance. You must also factor in your budget when considering the types of surveys when buying a home and whether, if you do decide to go for a lower-level survey, you would be able to afford any complicated fixes it might have missed.

Generally speaking, the newer or more modernised the property is the less likely it will be that there are major structural issues to be fixed, so a Level 1 or Level 2 is recommended for peace of mind. If you are purchasing an older property, it is beneficial to have a more in-depth analysis, especially if the property is listed so that you can be more knowledgeable and prepared for potential remedial works you’ll need to carry out; in this case, a Level 3 Home Survey could be advisable.

How much do house surveys cost in 2025?

As a guide, you can expect to pay anywhere between a few hundred pounds and over £1000 for a RICS Home Survey, but this largely depends on the different survey types, the cost of the home you are buying, the complexity of the property, and the property’s location. For example, a survey on a £200,000 house will cost less than a survey on a £1 million home. Similarly, a Level 3 survey will naturally cost more than a Level 1 as it goes into more detail.

According to the HomeOwners Alliance, you can expect figures similar to the following for a RICS Home Survey in 2025, however prices may vary: Level 1 - £300 - £900; Level 2 - £400 - £1000; Level 3 - £600 - £1500.

What are the common issues found in house surveys?

Oftentimes, RICS Home Surveys are the only way to find out if a home has issues you need to be aware of. Among the most common ones are damp; asbestos (in older properties); electrical issues; drainpipe issues; roofing; insulation; invasive plants; movement to the home’s structure; and insect infestations.

If the survey reveals issues, it’s not necessarily something to worry about. The first thing to do is discuss the findings with your surveyor and get their expert opinion. Depending on the type of issues found and whether you have the resources to fix it, you may decide to carry on with the purchase but offer a lower price on the home. Equally, as you haven’t signed any legally binding documents at the stage of your offer getting accepted, you have the right to back out of the sale if you decide you don’t want to fix the issues found.

Do you need a survey for a new-build home?

If you’re buying a new-build home and feel that you would prefer to have added reassurance that everything is as you’d hope for, you can arrange a RICS Level 1 Home Survey to be carried out before you proceed to completion day.

When you buy a new Bellway home, you can be assured that everything will be ready and working for you, as quality control checks are carried out at various construction stages on every home we build to the exacting standards set out by the NHBC. What’s more, everything in our energy-efficient homes is brand new and expertly built using high-quality materials that stand the test of time.

If you find that something isn’t quite right, you are protected by our 10-year warranty and insurance protection; a two-year builder warranty active from the day of legal completion, followed by eight years of structural defects insurance cover. Plus, our friendly and dedicated customer care team are on hand to help you at every step of the way, and for long after you’ve moved in.

Before committing to buy any type of home, it’s wise to carefully consider whether one of the RICS Home Survey types should be carried out to give you peace of mind. Of course, buying an older property carries more risks of costly repairs, while you can be sure that all you need to do when buying a new-build Bellway home is look forward to moving in, and adding your own personal touches to its fresh and pristine interior.

You can find more useful articles on various aspects of the home-buying process on Your Nest, including our ultimate house viewing checklist, a look at the best time to buy a home, and an explanation of some of the most confusing house-buying terminology. Visit the Bellway website to read about the many fantastic reasons to choose a new-build home, and when you’re ready to start your search, find your nearest Bellway development to explore the beautiful homes available.