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Building survey

Building survey for an older or altered home. The full picture, RICS Level 3.

A building survey, now called a RICS Level 3, is the deepest look at a home before you buy. It explains what each defect is, why it happened, how to fix it and what happens if you don’t.

Get a price and book

From £645, fixed before you book

  • RICS Level 3 standard
  • Causes, repairs and consequences
  • For older, larger or altered homes
A surveyor Homie with a red torch inspecting the stone porch of a large old house
  • £645from, fixed price online
  • 35%of pre-1919 main walls rated serious by our surveyors
  • 28%of pre-1919 roofs rated serious
  • Level 3the most detailed RICS survey
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The short answer

Building survey, in 30 seconds

Same as Level 3
Yes. “Building survey” is the old name for the RICS Level 3 survey.
Who it suits
Homes built before about 1919, listed or unusual homes, and homes you plan to alter.
What it adds
Over a Level 2: the causes of defects, repair options and what happens if you leave them.
What it is not
An engineer’s structural report or a test of the wiring and gas.

From our panel’s reports

Why older homes need the deeper survey

How often our surveyors rated each part 3, serious or urgent, on homes built before 1919, against homes built since 2000.

  • Main walls4% on homes built since 2000 35%
  • Roof coverings6% on homes built since 2000 28%
  • Woodwork6% on homes built since 2000 23%
  • Floors6% on homes built since 2000 23%
  • Windows4% on homes built since 2000 13%

Share of our panel’s reports that rated it 3, serious or urgent, on homes built before 1919.

How it works

How it works

  1. 1

    Book online

    The price is set by the home’s value.

  2. 2

    The surveyor inspects

    Usually most of a day for an older home.

  3. 3

    Get the report

    Every defect explained, with what to do.

FAQ

Building survey: your questions

Is a building survey the same as a Level 3?

Yes. RICS renamed the building survey the Level 3 survey. It is the most detailed of their home surveys.

Do I need a building survey or a Level 2?

For an older, larger, altered or unusual home, a building survey. For a conventional modern home in good order, a Level 2 usually does.

How long does it take?

The inspection can take most of a day, and the report follows within a week or so.

What does it cost?

From £645, by the home’s value.

Near you

Building survey near you.

Local Building survey pages for every big town and city we cover.

Every area

Also from our surveyors

Other surveys and valuations

Ready when you are.

Building survey, booked online and tracked in your Homemove dashboard.

Get a price and book
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