House surveys

Sort your RICS qualified survey today

Instant quotes for RICS Level 2 and Level 3 house surveys, Help-to-Buy valuations and specialist reports, from independent RICS surveyors covering your postcode.

Instant quote in a few clicks, free and no obligation
Independent RICS registered surveyors
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A Homie surveyor at the front door of a detached house, a survey drone overhead

A little clarity before you commit

Which survey
does your home need?

Three quick answers and an optional postcode, 30 seconds: a level and a starting price.

1. Roughly when was it built? 2. What kind of home is it? 3. Anything worrying you? 4. Property postcode (optional)

See whether RICS-regulated firms cover it and how soon they usually visit.

A good place to start

An RICS Level 2 survey suits a conventional home in reasonable condition

Level 2 reports visible defects and gives each part of the home a condition rating, so you know what needs attention. Answer the three questions above and this changes to fit your home.

From £445

Get my instant quote

Compare Level 2 and Level 3, with prices by home value →Read the Level 2 guide →

A starting price, not a quote: your quote confirms the price for this home before you pay. The picker is free guidance; your surveyor can confirm suitability.

Book an RICS survey online

Quote to report in three steps.

1

Get your instant quote

Pick the survey, enter the property and see your fixed price in a few clicks. It’s free.
2

Book online

Pay only when you book. We then match an independent RICS-regulated firm covering your postcode; its name shows on your dashboard.
3

Get your report

We arrange access with the occupier and deliver your report to your dashboard, usually 5 to 7 working days after the visit.

Look beyond the fresh paint

What surveys actually find.

Surveyors rate electrics red more often than any other part of the home (53%), followed by gas or oil (46%). Most other parts of the home are usually rated amber: a repair is needed, but it isn’t urgent.

When was the home built?

Red on electrics, gas or heating usually means “get it tested”. Surveyors don’t test services, so they often rate them red and recommend a qualified engineer checks them. A red rating there isn’t proof of a fault.

1 · Green: no repair currently needed 2 · Amber: repair needed, not urgent 3 · Red: serious, urgent repair or investigation

All property ages: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Most often red

Green 13%Amber 34%Red 53%

Gas/oil

Most often red

Green 19%Amber 35%Red 46%

Heating

Most often amber

Green 21%Amber 41%Red 38%

Water heating

Most often amber

Green 31%Amber 35%Red 34%

Compare every part of the home

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Most often amber

Green 32%Amber 40%Red 29%

Garage

Most often amber

Green 23%Amber 52%Red 25%

Internal walls

Most often amber

Green 23%Amber 52%Red 25%

Outbuildings

Most often amber

Green 20%Amber 55%Red 25%

Roof structure (loft)

Most often amber

Green 23%Amber 51%Red 25%

Main walls

Most often amber

Green 17%Amber 60%Red 23%

Drainage

Most often amber

Green 20%Amber 60%Red 20%

Gutters & downpipes

Most often amber

Green 14%Amber 66%Red 20%

Conservatory/porch

Most often amber

Green 32%Amber 48%Red 20%

Grounds/boundaries

Most often amber

Green 18%Amber 63%Red 19%

Roof coverings

Most often amber

Green 14%Amber 67%Red 19%

Water

Most often amber

Green 33%Amber 48%Red 18%

Chimney stacks

Most often amber

Green 19%Amber 62%Red 18%

Woodwork

Most often amber

Green 30%Amber 54%Red 16%

Floors

Most often amber

Green 28%Amber 58%Red 14%

Ceilings

Most often amber

Green 28%Amber 59%Red 13%

Windows

Most often amber

Green 20%Amber 68%Red 12%

Bathroom fittings

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 64%Red 12%

Outside doors

Most often amber

Green 33%Amber 58%Red 9%

External joinery

Most often amber

Green 27%Amber 65%Red 8%

Built-in fittings

Most often amber

Green 36%Amber 57%Red 7%

Before 1919: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Most often red

Green 13%Amber 41%Red 46%

Gas/oil

Most often amber

Green 15%Amber 45%Red 40%

Main walls

Most often amber

Green 9%Amber 56%Red 35%

Roof structure (loft)

Most often amber

Green 13%Amber 56%Red 31%

Compare every part of the home

Heating

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 47%Red 29%

Roof coverings

Most often amber

Green 9%Amber 62%Red 28%

Water heating

Most often amber

Green 35%Amber 38%Red 27%

Chimney stacks

Most often amber

Green 14%Amber 61%Red 25%

Floors

Most often amber

Green 25%Amber 52%Red 23%

Woodwork

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 52%Red 23%

Grounds/boundaries

Most often amber

Green 14%Amber 65%Red 22%

Drainage

Most often amber

Green 20%Amber 59%Red 21%

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Most often amber

Green 37%Amber 42%Red 21%

Ceilings

Most often amber

Green 23%Amber 61%Red 17%

Bathroom fittings

Most often amber

Green 25%Amber 60%Red 16%

Water

Most often amber

Green 28%Amber 56%Red 16%

Gutters & downpipes

Most often amber

Green 6%Amber 78%Red 15%

Windows

Most often amber

Green 11%Amber 76%Red 13%

External joinery

Most often amber

Green 15%Amber 76%Red 9%

Outside doors

Most often amber

Green 22%Amber 69%Red 8%

1919–1944: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Most often red

Green 9%Amber 35%Red 56%

Garage

Most often amber

Green 8%Amber 51%Red 42%

Gas/oil

Most often amber

Green 11%Amber 47%Red 42%

Roof coverings

Most often amber

Green 6%Amber 62%Red 32%

Compare every part of the home

Roof structure (loft)

Most often amber

Green 12%Amber 56%Red 32%

Water heating

Most often amber

Green 26%Amber 44%Red 30%

Heating

Most often amber

Green 13%Amber 58%Red 29%

Main walls

Most often amber

Green 7%Amber 65%Red 28%

Drainage

Most often amber

Green 9%Amber 65%Red 26%

Chimney stacks

Most often amber

Green 11%Amber 64%Red 25%

Gutters & downpipes

Most often amber

Green 11%Amber 63%Red 25%

Grounds/boundaries

Most often amber

Green 13%Amber 63%Red 24%

Conservatory/porch

Most often amber

Green 16%Amber 59%Red 24%

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Most often amber

Green 29%Amber 50%Red 21%

Water

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 56%Red 20%

Floors

Most often amber

Green 16%Amber 66%Red 19%

Ceilings

Most often amber

Green 15%Amber 67%Red 18%

Bathroom fittings

Most often amber

Green 16%Amber 67%Red 17%

Windows

Most often amber

Green 8%Amber 78%Red 14%

External joinery

Most often amber

Green 10%Amber 76%Red 14%

Woodwork

Most often amber

Green 25%Amber 62%Red 13%

Outside doors

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 63%Red 12%

1945–1979: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Most often red

Green 18%Amber 34%Red 48%

Gas/oil

Most often red

Green 25%Amber 35%Red 40%

Heating

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 45%Red 32%

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Most often green

Green 35%Amber 35%Red 30%

Compare every part of the home

Garage

Most often amber

Green 22%Amber 51%Red 27%

Water heating

Most often amber

Green 34%Amber 41%Red 25%

Drainage

Most often amber

Green 22%Amber 55%Red 23%

Main walls

Most often amber

Green 11%Amber 66%Red 22%

Roof structure (loft)

Most often amber

Green 23%Amber 55%Red 22%

Gutters & downpipes

Most often amber

Green 14%Amber 65%Red 21%

Water

Most often amber

Green 33%Amber 48%Red 20%

Grounds/boundaries

Most often amber

Green 16%Amber 65%Red 19%

Conservatory/porch

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 57%Red 19%

Roof coverings

Most often amber

Green 10%Amber 74%Red 15%

Windows

Most often amber

Green 17%Amber 69%Red 14%

Chimney stacks

Most often amber

Green 14%Amber 73%Red 13%

Ceilings

Most often amber

Green 24%Amber 64%Red 12%

Bathroom fittings

Most often amber

Green 20%Amber 68%Red 12%

Floors

Most often amber

Green 25%Amber 65%Red 10%

External joinery

Most often amber

Green 22%Amber 68%Red 10%

Woodwork

Most often amber

Green 34%Amber 57%Red 9%

Outside doors

Most often amber

Green 30%Amber 62%Red 8%

1980–1999: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Most often amber

Green 15%Amber 46%Red 39%

Gas/oil

Most often green

Green 37%Amber 27%Red 35%

Heating

Most often amber

Green 31%Amber 40%Red 29%

Water heating

Most often green

Green 45%Amber 28%Red 28%

Compare every part of the home

Gutters & downpipes

Most often amber

Green 14%Amber 69%Red 17%

Garage

Most often green

Green 50%Amber 34%Red 16%

Main walls

Most often amber

Green 42%Amber 43%Red 15%

Conservatory/porch

Most often green

Green 59%Amber 28%Red 13%

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Most often green

Green 66%Amber 22%Red 12%

Grounds/boundaries

Most often amber

Green 17%Amber 73%Red 11%

Roof coverings

Most often amber

Green 33%Amber 57%Red 10%

Windows

Most often amber

Green 34%Amber 57%Red 9%

Water

Most often green

Green 56%Amber 36%Red 8%

Outside doors

Most often green

Green 47%Amber 45%Red 8%

Roof structure (loft)

Most often green

Green 56%Amber 36%Red 8%

Drainage

Most often amber

Green 28%Amber 65%Red 7%

Bathroom fittings

Most often amber

Green 39%Amber 55%Red 7%

Woodwork

Most often green

Green 49%Amber 47%Red 4%

External joinery

Most often amber

Green 39%Amber 58%Red 3%

Floors

Most often amber

Green 36%Amber 63%Red 1%

Ceilings

Most often amber

Green 41%Amber 57%Red 1%

2000 onwards: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Most often amber

Green 26%Amber 40%Red 34%

Gas/oil

Most often amber

Green 30%Amber 50%Red 20%

Heating

Most often green

Green 42%Amber 40%Red 18%

Water heating

Most often green

Green 44%Amber 38%Red 18%

Compare every part of the home

Drainage

Most often amber

Green 42%Amber 47%Red 11%

Water

Most often amber

Green 41%Amber 50%Red 9%

Grounds/boundaries

Most often amber

Green 37%Amber 53%Red 9%

Gutters & downpipes

Most often amber

Green 34%Amber 58%Red 8%

Floors

Most often green

Green 47%Amber 47%Red 6%

Woodwork

Most often amber

Green 30%Amber 64%Red 6%

Outside doors

Most often amber

Green 34%Amber 60%Red 6%

Bathroom fittings

Most often amber

Green 19%Amber 74%Red 6%

Roof coverings

Most often amber

Green 18%Amber 76%Red 6%

Windows

Most often amber

Green 22%Amber 74%Red 4%

Ceilings

Most often green

Green 49%Amber 47%Red 4%

Main walls

Most often amber

Green 28%Amber 68%Red 4%

External joinery

Most often amber

Green 30%Amber 70%Red 0%

Source: reports written by RICS-registered surveyors on our panel, June 2025 to October 2026. Updated 31 October 2026 and refreshed monthly.

Percentages only: each is the share of recorded condition ratings for that element, leaving out anything not inspected or not rated, and rounding means a row may not total 100%. The all-ages view also includes readable PDF reports uploaded by panel surveyors. These figures describe our panel’s reports, not every UK home or the chance of a defect in yours.

The basics, without the jargon

What is an RICS house survey?

A visual inspection of a home’s condition by an RICS-regulated surveyor, reported at Level 1, 2 or 3 under the RICS Home Survey Standard (in force since 1 March 2021). It is for you as the buyer, not your lender’s mortgage valuation. RICS calls it a home survey because the same levels cover flats, maisonettes and bungalows as well as houses.

Do I need a survey?

A survey is not compulsory, but it is the only inspection carried out for you as the buyer, so you learn about defects and likely repairs before you exchange contracts. For a new-build home, a snagging survey usually fits better than an RICS home survey.

Before you book

Level 2 or Level 3: which survey, at what price?

RICS Level 2: understand the condition

For a conventional home in reasonable condition. It reports on visible defects, condition ratings and matters needing attention. It is a visual inspection: hidden areas and services cannot be fully assessed.

From £445

RICS’s own documents
Explore Level 2 surveys
RICS Level 3: plan for repairs

For older, altered, unusual or run-down homes, or where major work is planned. It gives more detail on construction, defects and repair options. It is still non-invasive and may recommend specialist investigations.

From £645

RICS’s own documents
- Sample report Aug 2024 · PDF 4.4 MB
- Scope: Level 3 Feb 2021 · PDF 0.1 MB
Explore Level 3 surveys

Typical price paid by home value, not the starting price: the middle price Homemove customers paid in the twelve months to 31 October 2026. Size, age, condition and location move the price too; your quote confirms it before you pay. Compare prices by region →
Home value	Level 2	Level 3
Up to £200k	£445	£695
£200k to £300k	£499	£695
£300k to £500k	£499	£725
£500k to £1m	£599	£949

RICS Level 1 is the lightest survey, with no repair advice; we don’t book it. RICS publishes a Level 1 sample and scope (Feb 2021), and a consumer guide to home surveys comparing every level (Jun 2023 · PDF 5.1 MB).

Valuations and targeted checks

A Help-to-Buy valuation estimates market value for your equity loan transaction; it is not a condition survey. A roof, asbestos or structural report answers a narrower question. Confirm the scope with the surveyor before booking.
Explore Help-to-Buy valuations
Find the survey that fits

Check, prepare, decide

Before and after your survey.

How to verify your surveyor

An independent RICS-regulated firm does every survey, working for you, not the agent or seller. You learn the firm’s name after you pay: we ask the firms covering the home for dates, match one, and show its name on your dashboard and in your visit-date email.

Check the firm on RICS Find a Firm and the surveyor named on your report on RICS Find a Member (AssocRICS associate, MRICS member, FRICS fellow). You can cancel for a full refund until the visit.

Before the visit: your checklist

Tell us what worries you: extensions, cracks, damp or planned work.
Ask what can be reached. We arrange access with the occupier; a locked loft is noted as not inspected.
Check whether a valuation is included. Not every Level 2 includes one.
Know when the report is due: usually 5 to 7 working days after the visit, once you’ve signed the surveyor’s terms. Plan your dates

After the report: your three options

Proceed if the ratings are green or amber and you can live with the amber list.
Renegotiate: get two quotes for each red item and put a figure to the seller. Price repairs, draft the letter
Walk away before exchange; in England and Wales you aren’t bound until then. The fee isn’t refunded once the visit has happened, but the report is yours to keep.

Survey customers, reviewed on home.co.uk

Don’t take our word for it.

Honestly, you guys were fantastic. You supported me through every stage of the process—from the initial enquiry, to booking the survey, and all the way through to the follow-up afterwards. I received my Level 2 Home Survey report on the very next working day, which was incredibly impressive. The whole experience was smooth, professional, and efficient. I would highly recommend your service to anyone. Excellent value for money and outstanding customer service. Thank you!

Patrick C.Survey, 14 Jul 2026 · Verified booking, reviewed on home.co.uk, where Homemove collects its reviews

Honestly, you guys were fantastic. You supported me through every stage of the process—from the initial enquiry, to booking the survey, and all the way through to the follow-up afterwards. I received my Level 2 Home Survey report on the very next working day, which was incredibly impressive. The whole experience was smooth, professional, and efficient. I would highly recommend your service to anyone. Excellent value for money and outstanding customer service. Thank you!

Patrick C. · Survey, 14 Jul 2026 · Verified booking, reviewed on home.co.uk, where Homemove collects its reviews
I am very happy with the service of the surveyor involved and your company oversight. A straight forward experience from start to finish and I would recommend your service, thank you

Shaun M. · Survey, 25 Jun 2026 · Verified booking, reviewed on home.co.uk, where Homemove collects its reviews
Amazing customer service from Megan, I stuck with home move over the other survey quotes I had due to her service (even though I had to wait longer for the report to be returned). Super quick responses, good communication & friendly. Wouldn't hesitate to use again.

Emma P. · Survey, 12 May 2026 · Verified booking, reviewed on home.co.uk, where Homemove collects its reviews

4.6/5 from 291 reviews on Trustpilot · 4.5/5 from 142 Homemove customer reviews on home.co.uk

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FAQ

Survey questions, answered.

What does a condition rating 3 mean?

A red condition rating 3 identifies serious defects needing urgent repair or investigation. On electrics, gas or heating it commonly means a qualified engineer should test the system: surveyors do not test services, so red is not proof of a fault. Read the surveyor’s advice before committing to buy.

What do surveys usually find on a 1930s house?

In our panel reports on homes built between 1919 and 1944, electrics were rated red in 56% of recorded ratings, gas or oil in 42%, and roof coverings in 32%. Services often need testing rather than a confirmed repair. These are historical findings, not a prediction for a particular home.

Does the seller have to let the surveyor in?

The visit needs the occupier’s agreement, so we arrange it for you. You tell us who gives access (you, the estate agent or someone else) and we agree the date with them. If part of the home can’t be reached on the day, such as a locked loft, the report says so: ask the seller for access or evidence, or arrange a specialist check.

Do I need to be there for the survey?

No. We arrange access with the occupier and the surveyor inspects the home without you. Tell us beforehand about extensions, cracks, damp or planned alterations, and talk the findings through with your surveyor once the report arrives.

Where can I book an RICS survey online in the UK?

You can book online with Homemove in a few clicks. Enter your postcode, choose an RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, and see your fixed property-specific price before paying. An independent RICS surveyor carries out the inspection.

Services

Other Products

Sort your RICS qualified survey today

Which survey does your home need?

Quote to report in three steps.

Get your instant quote

Book online

Get your report

What surveys actually find.

All property ages: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Gas/oil

Heating

Water heating

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Garage

Internal walls

Outbuildings

Roof structure (loft)

Main walls

Drainage

Gutters & downpipes

Conservatory/porch

Grounds/boundaries

Roof coverings

Water

Chimney stacks

Woodwork

Floors

Ceilings

Windows

Bathroom fittings

Outside doors

External joinery

Built-in fittings

Before 1919: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Gas/oil

Main walls

Roof structure (loft)

Heating

Roof coverings

Water heating

Chimney stacks

Floors

Woodwork

Grounds/boundaries

Drainage

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Ceilings

Bathroom fittings

Water

Gutters & downpipes

Windows

External joinery

Outside doors

1919–1944: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Electrics

Garage

Gas/oil

Roof coverings

Roof structure (loft)

Water heating

Heating

Main walls

Drainage

Chimney stacks

Gutters & downpipes

Grounds/boundaries

Conservatory/porch

Fireplaces/chimney breasts

Water

Floors

Ceilings

Bathroom fittings

Windows

External joinery

Woodwork

Outside doors

1945–1979: parts ranked by how often they are rated red

Which survey
does your home need?