"Competitively priced service, the agent I dealt with was very helpful. On the day of the survey itself I received a call from the surveyor to run through his initial findings. The quality of the report produced was excellent, very detailed and thorough. If needed I will be using SAM Conveyancing's services again in the future for sure."
Local Building Survey Reading
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Earley, Newbury, Twyford, Wokingham, Pangbourne, Caversham and Bracknell.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Reading. Whether you are buying an old run down 'doer upper' or standard construction freehold house, our RICS surveyors have seen them all.
With a vast number of years of experience completing building surveys on properties in Reading we'll be able to give you the detailed Reading HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Defects flagged in a Reading Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip: Subsidence
A considerable area of Reading, in the south and south-west and to the north, including buildings in streets such as Rose Kiln Lane and Brook Street West, is subject to flood warnings and alerts, particularly for dwellings built in close proximity to the River Kennet.
If you are concerned that a property you are looking to buy is in a flood risk area, you should consider getting a flood risk report.
Local Tip: Damp
It is important to review the type of staircasing installed in the property.
In a Building Survey on Lindisfarne Way, Reading, Berks, RG2 0GS, it was noted the staircases was of softwood and plywood construction. The flights were in sound condition but as the soffites were covered with plasterboard no inspection of the actual structures was possible. There had been some shrinkage in the timbers which resulted in gaps at the sides of the flights that should be filled prior to redecoration.
Local Tip: Asbestos
A RICS Building Surveyor is not an expert on services (water, gas electrics) and whilst they comment in general terms on the installations, none of the services will be tested and they are therefore unable to report on their actual working performance. If you require any further information or tests, It is recommended that you engage the appropriate specialist such as Berkshire Sparks Electrical, 1 Quantock Avenue, Reading, RG4 6PY.
Types of property in Reading?
Reading grew considerably when the railway arrived and the legacy of this is the number of Victorian and Edwardian properties still standing. These vary in size from large detached houses (such as you find in Alexandra Road and Kendrick Road) to terraced houses (such as in Caversham Road) to worker's cottages.
Reading's suburbs, including Woodley, Earley, Whitley, Tilehurst and Caversham, have mainly modern properties built since the 1950s. You find period properties in Sonning, such as Victorian terraced houses.
There are many new developments in and around Reading, such as Station Hill, opposite Reading Station, which is set to offer 300 flats, and those which can be found in Longwater Avenue.
Why Choose SAM Conveyancing for your Home Survey?
In helping over 15,339 survey clients since 2014, we've learned a lot about surveys in Reading using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Reading surveyor will be local to your property, so whether you're worried about subsidence, damp, infestations, extensions, or even just for peace of mind, we've got you covered.
Our HomeBuyers Survey costs are fixed and competitive, as you'll see from all our Excellent reviews on Trustpilot. This means you don't have to break the bank to get a full health check on your new home. Get a Home Buyer Survey Quote today, or if you're not sure which survey to choose and want to know the difference between a Level 2 Home Survey and a Level 3 Building Survey, then give us a cal,l and we'll happily tell you what you need - 0118 324 0432 (local call charges apply).
What defects are flagged in a Homebuyer's Survey?
Cracks are inspected and in the report will confirm if you need a structural engineer as there are signs of historical or current movement.
The RICS surveyor will use a moisture meter in the rooms and report any high levels along with any mould or damp causing damage to the walls/windows.
The wooden door frames and windows will be inspected for rotting and wood worm.
The surveyor looks for signs of infestations through droppings, damage to piping/flooring and in some cases finding where the nest is.
The surveyor will check the grounds of the property and, where possible, check over the fences to neighbouring plots to identify if there is a risk of Japanese knotweed.
The surveyor lifts up accessible man hole covers to check if the drains are blocked. You may need to get your drains inspected with CCTV.
The surveyor will enter into the roof/loft space if there is a safe and accessible ladder. They'll look for insulation, signs of leaking and and damage.
Average Cost of Building Surveyor in 2026 in Reading
The cost varies depending on the size and condition of the property, with the average cost of our HomeBuyers Survey starting at £375 EXC VAT. The average cost of a Building Survey is higher. Our fixed fees start at £499 EXC VAT.
To ensure accuracy, we utilise Rightmove or Zoopla to assess the property type, guaranteeing a fixed quote tailored to your needs. For guidance on choosing the right survey, contact our survey specialists at 0118 324 0432.
Thinking of moving to Reading?
Reading is a large town in Berkshire. It combines excellent shopping and great leisure options with many housing choices. It hosts the University of Reading, the annual Reading Festival (in Little John's Farm on Richfield Avenue) and a number of prominent theatres, including the Hexagon. The town also has 5 Grade I listed buildings, including Reading Abbey and Greyfriars Church.
Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey Reading
- online checklists
- videos
- free downloads
- useful tips
RICS Level 2 Home Survey with a Valuation
A RICS Level 2 Home Survey, which used to be called the HomeBuyer Report or a Home Buyer Survey, is generally suitable for:
- Bungalows
- Flats
- Standard construction houses
The majority of Reading's leasehold flats require only a RICS HomeBuyer Report but for any Victorian conversions, a Building Survey may well be required.
RICS Level 3 Building Survey
A Level 3 Home Survey, also known as a Building Survey or a full structural, is the most comprehensive visual inspection a RICS surveyor can provide on a property in Reading. It is suitable for:
- complex buildings, for example those that have been extensively extended and altered
- unique or older historic properties
- properties in poor condition; or
- those where the client is planning to carry out extensive repair and refurbishment work.
Speak to one of our team on 0118 324 0432 to find out if your property suits a RICS Building Survey, or read our article Which Home Buyers Survey suits your property .
