RICS Homebuyer Service

A house is the most expensive outlay that most of us will ever make. Before you decide to commit yourself legally, you can limit the risks by asking a Chartered Surveyor to answer the following questions for you:

What is a reasonable price to pay for the property?

Are there any serious or urgent defects or specific risks with the property?

A Homebuyer Survey and Valuation, often shortened to "Homebuyer's Report", will help you make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying a property. The service is designed for a lay person who is seeking a professional opinion at an economic price.

The focus of the service is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property and identifying and evaluating the particular features that affect its value.

The RICS Home Survey – Level 1 (Available in Berkshire Office areas only)

Downloadable documents (PDF)
Description of the RICS Homebuyer Service Level 1
• Suitable if you are buying a newly built conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials. This service includes a a basic inspection, clear ‘traffic light’ ratings of the condition of different parts of the building, services, and the grounds, showing problems that may require varying degrees of attention; a summary of risks to the building grounds, and an assessment of the relative importance of the defects and problems.
• No tests of the building fabric or services are undertaken. The RICS Home Survey – Level 1 does not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance and it does not include a valuation. See the RICS hyperlink above for a full description of the service.

The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 (survey only) (Available in all of our areas). Formerly ‘Homebuyers Report‘.

Downloadable documents (PDF)
Description of the RICS Homebuyer Service Level 2
• Suitable if you need intermediate information whilst buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials and in reasonable condition, on a property less then 100 years old.
• The focus is on assessing the general condition e.g. subsidence, damp, structurally sound. A more extensive inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but still without tests. Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars). The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. See the RICS hyperlink above for a full description of the service.

The RICS Home Survey – Level 2 (survey and valuation) (Available all our areas).

As the RICS Home Survey – Level 2 above, but includes:

• the surveyor’s professional opinion on the ‘market value’ of the property
• an insurance reinstatement figure for the property
• a list of problems that the surveyor considers may affect the value of the property.
• See the RICS hyperlink above for a full description of the service.

The RICS Home Survey – Level 3 (Available in all of areas) Formerly “Building Survey”.

Choose this report if dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works. The most detailed survey level about the structure and fabric of the property, this service includes:

• a detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a survey level two e.g. every window and door are checked
Downloadable documents (PDF)
Description of the RICS Homebuyer Service Level 3
• Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars)
• Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation – in other words, they are switched on or off and/or operated where the occupier has given permission and it is safe to do so. The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems. Additionally, it should:
• describe the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected
• propose the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection
• outline the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair;
• The surveyor may also be able to provide an estimate of costs for identified repairs if agreed with you in advance.
• See the RICS hyperlink above for a full description of the service.

Arranging your own survey is the simple, cost effective way to avoid unpleasant - and perhaps expensive - surprises after moving in. In some cases, the surveyor's report may allow you to renegotiate the price of the property.

The "Description of the RICS Homebuyer Service" and "Choosing Between Surveys" downloadable information sheets presented on this page may be useful in choosing the correct survey. If you have further queries, please contact our qualified surveyors who are happy to provide free advice about the different surveys available.