Why a RICS Level 3 Survey is essential on a new-build

Like any other house, purchasing a new build comes with its own set of risks. Many buyers may expect a flawless home without the ageing issues of traditional older properties, but that is only sometimes the case. While an RICS survey is not required on a new build, getting one may reveal that new builds are not exempt from issues. 

If you are buying a new-build home and are convinced you don't need a RICS Level 3 survey, think again. Be sure to read on as Surveyor Local highlights the importance of having an independent chartered surveyor look over even the most modern properties.

Whenever you are buying a house, it is always recommended that you get a property survey, be it a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can help you understand what is wrong with your property and how you can fix it. Typically, the best survey for a new build is a snagging survey, a survey specially designed for new builds. 

A property survey on a new build can give the new buyers peace of mind and can be crucial for highlighting potential issues so they don't rear their heads as a nasty surprise down the line. The snagging survey, in particular, looks to find issues with workmanship instead of signs of age. The surveyor will make note of any work that was not completed to an agreed standard in compliance with the relevant building regulations. 

For new builds built on large property developments, it is particularly important that you get a property survey on the property, as it can protect you from any highlighted issues that will need to be resolved by the developer before you are due to move in. 

A snagging survey is the RICS level recommended for new builds. The snagging survey aims to discover issues known as ‘snags'. These issues can be minor, such as misaligned door handles, small damage to work surfaces, and general poor cleanliness that may have been caused during the building process. 

A snagging survey can also find more significant issues, such as structural problems, including walls not being built to specification, ventilation ports not being installed correctly, and cut corners during the building process. After the survey is complete, the surveyor will give the buyer a list of all the issues that the buyer can pass on to the developer,  who will be compelled to fix and make any changes before the sale of the property is completed. 

The Level 3 survey is the most in-depth of the three RICS Survey Levels, typically more suited for older properties or those built unusually. The chartered surveyor will take a comprehensive look at the property, noting any defects or concerns they may find. This can include the internal and external structure of the property, and all defects will be photographed for a thorough report. 

To understand if a Level 3 survey is worth it, it is important to understand the cost and the process. The typical cost of a Level 3 survey ranges from £630 up to £1,500. With all the information you receive from a Level 3 survey, it's easy to see why it may be worth the price, ensuring your new build is free of minor issues and, most importantly, safe to live in.

After understanding whether a Level 3 survey is worth taking out, you may want to explore options for further surveys. A Level 2 survey is more suited for newer properties and more conventional builds. The surveyor will give an overview of the property and any costly issues. The Level 2 survey is cheaper than the Level 3 survey but is not as in-depth. 

The least detailed survey is the property valuation survey. This survey is perfect for getting a current valuation of your property and is useful when you are looking to sell a house, but for a new build, it is all but worthless. 

A survey by the HomeOwners Alliance revealed that almost nine out of 10 (88%) newbuild homeowners want a system in place to withhold funds owed to builders until they fix problems and faults, so-called snagging retention.

The best way to avoid issues before you are forced to pay out of pocket is to instruct a chartered surveyor to carry out an RICS Level 3 survey before exchanging contracts on a house purchase. Any issues found will be up to the developer to fix.

If you have any questions about our Level 3 surveys or any of our other services, do not hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to help.