Do I need a Level 2 Home Survey or a Level 3 Building Survey in Harpenden?
The type of survey you require depends entirely on the age, size, and general condition of the property you are purchasing. Use the comparison below to determine which RICS inspection is right for your transaction:
Inspection Detail | RICS Level 2 Home Survey (formerly HomeBuyer Report) | RICS Level 3 Home Survey (formerly Full Structural Survey) |
|---|---|---|
Inspection Best Suited For | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Conventional, modern properties (built post-1990) of standard construction. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Older, historic, or large properties, or those of non-standard construction. |
Inspection Property Condition | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Homes appearing to be in a reasonable, well-maintained state. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Homes that are noticeably dilapidated or have been extensively altered. |
Inspection Depth of Inspection | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Surface-level visual inspection of accessible areas to highlight major faults. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey In-depth analysis of the property's structure, fabric, and integrity. |
Inspection Future Plans | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Buyers looking for a general overview before moving in. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Buyers planning significant structural renovations or extensions. |
Inspection Advice Provided | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Highlights urgent defects that may affect the property's value. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Detailed advice on defects, repair options, and ongoing maintenance consequences. |
Local Property Characteristics in Harpenden
Properties built in this area have certain standard characteristics which dictate what type of survey you'll need for your property. Here is a table of different factors that could affect your property and require further investigation by your RICS surveyor:
Characteristic/Risk | Details |
|---|---|
Japanese Knotweed Risk: | Check the Environet heatmap to confirm. Source: Environment Agency & Environet UK Heatmap Data |
Listed Buildings: (Such as Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II in Harpenden) | There are circa 1 to 20 listed buildings in the local area. Note: Estimated based on the location's common property types and proximity from the data at Historic England. Your actual property may have a different characteristic or risk. Source: Historic England |
Ground Stability: Flags a risk for subsidence. | This area is generally considered low risk for ground stability issues. Source: The British Geological Survey (BGS) |
Harpenden Specific Property Info |
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Expert Tip: Review Unapproved Extensions and Alterations
Many homes in Harpenden have undergone undocumented extensions, loft conversions, or structural alterations over the years which may lack proper building control sign-off.
Your RICS surveyor will highlight any structural irregularities or removed chimney breasts, and your conveyancer will request the necessary completion certificates from the local authority.
Local Building Survey Harpenden
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in London, Luton, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and Stevenage.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Harpenden. 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 Harpenden we'll be able to give you the detailed Harpenden HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Defects flagged in a Harpenden Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip: Subsidence
Properties in Harpenden which are built near the River Lea, such as in Lower Luton Road, are subject to flood warnings and alerts from time to time.
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
When a RICS surveyor inspects a property they do not test the electrics, however they will turn on and off the lights and confirm where the fuse box is in the property. Electrical issues can occur in properties that date from before 1970 as the electrical methods used in properties has evolved over time. This is why a surveyor will recommend that you consult a local electrical contractor if they feel it necessary.
A local electrician in Harpenden is Andrews Electrical Contractors, Old Batford Mill, Lower Luton Rd, Harpenden AL5 5BZ.
Local Tip: Asbestos
Checking the gas boiler is something a RICS surveyor can do by turning on the hot water and the heating, however they are not gas engineers so cannot test the boiler. You should always obtain the boiler installation certificate and the maintenance details from the seller during the conveyancing process.
If you need the gas checking, a local gas engineer in Harpenden is G A plumbing & heating, 26 Woollam Cres, St Albans AL3 6EH.
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 Harpenden using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Harpenden 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 - 0333 344 3234 (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.
Download an Example Level 2 and Level 3 Home Survey
Property Survey FAQs for Harpenden
- online checklists
- videos
- free downloads
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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 Harpenden'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 Harpenden. 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 0333 344 3234 to find out if your property suits a RICS Building Survey, or read our article Which Home Buyers Survey suits your property .
