Which property survey is right for you? Explore house survey comparisons
There are three main types of RICS Survey Levels: the RICS Level 2 Survey, the RICS Level 3 Survey and a Property Valuation Report. Each of these has a different focus, so buyers should consider which of the three is the right choice for them. Keep reading for our in depth house survey compare and find out which survey best suits your property’s needs.
RICS Level 3 Survey
A more in-depth survey of a property, including all accessible areas of a home. RICS recommend the RICS Level 3 Survey for older properties, or those of non-standard construction. RICS Level 3 Survey reports are tailored by the individual surveyor, and can address any additional questions or concerns. Note that a RICS Level 3 Survey does not include a valuation as standard.
Find out moreRICS Level 2 Survey
A general survey of a home, including any visible defects or issues. If the property to be surveyed is of standard construction, and was built after 1900, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) recommend that the RICS Level 2 Survey is usually the best choice. The report is delivered in a standardised format for easy reference. The RICS Level 2 Survey includes a valuation.
Find out moreProperty Valuation Report
The most basic of the three RICS Survey Levels, this Property Valuation Report provides an independent, expert opinion, giving you a professional valuation of the property, and helping to stop you from paying too much. However, a property valuation will not include details of defects. This is different to a mortgage valuation which is usually carried out by the lender, simply to determine if they can recoup the value of their loan, if need be, which does not benefit you as a home buyer.
Find out moreHouse Survey Comparison
Take a look at our survey compare table to get a more detailed understanding of what you can expect from each of the three RICS Survey Levels. Find out what each of the RICS Survey Levels include and let us help you decide which level of service your property requires.
| How do the surveys compare? | Property Valuation | RICS Level 2 Survey | RICS Level 3 Survey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Help you make a reasoned and informed decision as to whether to proceed, reconsider or renegotiate on the purchase | |||
| Identify potential problems such as any repairs or replacements the property needs including inspecting roofs, chimneys and other surfaces on the outside of the building from ground level | |||
| Can help you negotiate a better property price where problems are discovered or a lower valuation is given, buyers are enabled to negotiate a lower buying price | |||
| Show traffic light ratings which give you a green/amber/red condition of your property in an easy-to-understand format | |||
| Prepare you for potential costly repairs after you move in | |||
| Completed by a RICS Surveyor from Surveyor Local's national panel of surveyors who are fully qualified and highly experienced chartered surveyors | |||
| Independent valuation which gives you a professional valuation of the property, helping prevent you from paying too much for the property | |||
| Exhaustive report; a more in-depth survey on construction, issues and defects | |||
| Appropriate for all properties irrespective of age, construction type, condition and level of modification | |||
| Highlights urgent issues and reports on any defects needing urgent attention | |||
| On-going advice with professional recommendations on repairs and/or maintenance | |||
| Building reinstatement costs included for insurance purposes | |||
| Appropriate for standard property types and suitable for properties built later than 1900 of standard construction (brick and tile) | |||
| Appropriate for unusual property types and suitable for older, unusually constructed (e.g. thatch roof) or extensively modified properties (e.g. extended) or those in need of modernisation | |||
| Advice for your solicitor with observations that may impact the legal title investigation conducted by your solicitor | |||
| Get Property Valuation quote | Get RICS Level 2 Survey quote | Get RICS Level 3 Survey quote |
Commonly Asked Questions on House Survey Comparisons:
How much do each of the RICS Survey Levels cost?
Depending on the service that you require and your property’s size and value, the cost of surveying your property can differ. Get a quick quote survey from us today and find out a price for our services.
What Areas in the UK Can we Survey?
We survey England and Wales and are proud to have a network of nationwide surveyors, each experts in the RICS Survey Levels and properties within their local area of work. With Surveyors across England and Wales, we can provide specialised insight into a whole range of properties. Find out now whether we currently have a local expert in your area.
How do the RICS Surveys compare time wise?
The time required for each survey level can vary. Property valuations may take a few hours, Level 2 generally takes around 2-4 hours, and Level 3 is the most time-consuming and can take a day or more. Each of these numbers can very, however, depending on the property's size and complexity.
Should you Always Have a Property Survey Before Buying a Property?
Whilst opting to use any of RICS Survey Levels is not mandatory, it is highly recommended as a means of saving you money on unexpected issues further down the line.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions regarding how each of the RICS surveys compare or have any other requirements, please feel free to contact us. Why not also check out our survey glossary to get a better understanding of how surveying a property works and find out even more about us. Take a look at our reviews and join thousands of satisfied customers across the UK in having a property surveyed by us at Surveyor Local.
