"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 Havering
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in London, Dagenham, Hornchurch, Romford, Upminster, Rainham and Ilford.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Havering. 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 Havering we'll be able to give you the detailed Havering HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Defects flagged in a Havering Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip: Subsidence
Local Tip: Damp
Properties sometimes have issues with ground stability in certain locations in Havering.
In a recent environmental search, taken out for a property in Hornchurch, Porchester Close, the report noted that there was a moderate potential for natural ground instability within 50m of the property.
This should not be taken to mean that the property in question actually suffered/suffers from subsidence however as "active subsidence will be dependent on local conditions, such as the proximity of trees or areas where trees have been removed, which require an inspection of the site to identify the nature of the ground on which the property is built."
Click to find out more about subsidence
Local Tip: Asbestos
Properties in some areas of Havering are built in designated smoke control areas.
A recent local authority search done for a dwelling in Hornchurch, Porchester Close noted that the property was in such a smoke control area.
Under the terms of Section 20 of the Clean Air Act 1993, smoke emissions from all buildings are prohibited unless an exemption has been made by the Secretary of State under Section 21 of the Act.
Types of property in Havering?
Romford has Victorian houses close to the town centre, but the predominant housing type is the three-bedroom interwar terrace or semi-detached house, these can be found in the Collier Row and Rise Park.
Romford has plenty of bungalows, such as can be found also in Collier Row. Gidea Park developed as a garden suburb between 1910 and the 1930s. Gidea Park also has a number of houses built in the 1920s/1930s Arts & Crafts style, in roads such as Meadway, Reed Pond Walk and Heath Drive.
Harold Hill has 1950s sturdy council houses which are now largely owner-occupied.
New build developments include Kings Park in Harold Wood which offers 1 and 2-bedroom flats and 3 and 4-bedroom houses.
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 Havering using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Havering 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 - 0207 112 5388 (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 Havering
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 0207 112 5388.
Thinking of moving to Havering?
Havering is a London Borough in East London, just over 19 miles from the capital's centre. The main town in the borough is Romford and the other main settlements are Upminster, Rainham and Hornchurch. The borough contains a mix of residential areas with high streets at their centre, with a major retail and entertainment centre at Romford, as well as a number of pleasant open spaces. Landmarks and attractions include the 18th-century Langtons House and gardens and the Diver sculpture in Rainham.
Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey Havering
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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 Havering'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 Havering. 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 0207 112 5388 to find out if your property suits a RICS Building Survey, or read our article Which Home Buyers Survey suits your property .
