Is this the right report for you?
Our RICS Building Survey or a full structural survey gives you the deepest level of inspection a residential surveyor can carry out. A fully qualified RICS-accredited surveyor doesn’t just assess the property’s condition; they investigate the construction itself, explain why any defects are happening, and set out what it will realistically take to put things right. Where a Level 2 survey tells you what’s wrong, a Building Survey explains why — which matters enormously once a property gets more complicated than a standard modern semi.
A property built before 1900, or constructed from unusual materials — solid stone or brick walls, timber framing, a thatched roof, or anything built using methods that predate modern cavity-wall construction.
A listed building, or one sitting within a conservation area — where past alterations, repairs, or extensions may have been carried out to a different (or lower) standard than current building regulations require, and where understanding the construction properly matters before you commit to any future changes.
A buyer who wants to understand not just whether something’s wrong, but what’s actually causing it, how serious it is, and what it will cost and involve to fix — particularly useful if you’re planning renovation work, or simply want the fullest possible picture before making the biggest purchase of your life.
If the property is modern, in good general condition, and hasn’t been significantly altered or extended, a Level 2 survey is usually sufficient and considerably better value. A Building Survey is designed specifically for situations where a standard condition report wouldn’t do the property justice — we’ll always tell you honestly which one actually fits, rather than defaulting to the more expensive option.
OUR PROCESS
How booking a survey with us works
Tell us about the property
A quick call or online form — the address, property type, and your timeline is all we need to get started.
This is also where we confirm which survey is right for the property — a standard Level 2 for a typical home in reasonable condition, or a Level 3 for anything older, listed, or structurally unusual. If you’re not sure which applies, tell us what you know and we’ll advise honestly.
We match you with the right surveyor
We match your property to a RICS-qualified surveyor with relevant local and technical experience. You’ll get a confirmed inspection date.
The inspection
Your surveyor works through the property systematically: roof space, main structure, visible services, damp readings, and every accessible room, photographing anything notable along the way.
Your report
You receive a comprehensive written report with traffic light condition ratings, a full description of construction and materials, defect analysis with probable causes, repair recommendations, risk summaries, energy commentary and if anything raises questions, your surveyor is available afterwards by phone to walk you through it.
Ongoing support if you need it
If you need clarification on a specific finding or help explaining the report to your solicitor, your surveyor remains available well after delivery — not just on the day it’s issued.
TRADITIONAL BUILDING SURVEY FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Building Survey use the same traffic-light ratings as a Level 2 survey?
Yes. Every element of the property still gets the same 1 (green), 2 (amber), or 3 (red) rating you’d see on a Level 2 report. The difference is what sits behind each rating — a Building Survey explains the cause, whether it’s historic or ongoing, and what happens if it’s left unaddressed, rather than just the rating on its own.
Do I need a Building Survey just because a property is old?
Not automatically — age alone isn’t the only factor. It’s more about construction type and complexity: a well-maintained Victorian terrace in good condition might suit a Level 2, while a much newer but heavily extended or unusually built property might genuinely need the deeper detail a Building Survey provides.
Will a Building Survey pick up problems with a previous extension or renovation?
Yes — this is one of the areas it’s specifically designed to look at closely. The join between original construction and a later addition is a common source of hidden defects, and a Building Survey investigates how well (or badly) the two are connected, not just whether the extension looks sound on the surface.
Is a Building Survey worth the extra cost compared to a Level 2?
For the right property, yes. It typically costs more because it takes longer on site and involves considerably more detailed reporting — but for a property where it’s genuinely warranted, that cost is usually far lower than an unexpected structural repair discovered after you’ve already moved in.
What happens if the surveyor finds something they can't fully assess during the visit?
Where something needs specialist input beyond a general practice surveyor’s expertise — for example, a structural engineer for suspected subsidence, or a timber specialist for suspected rot — the report says so clearly and recommends the specific further investigation needed, rather than guessing at a conclusion.