"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 New Forest
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Christchurch, Bournemouth, Ferndown, Sixpenny Handley, Whiteparish, Cranborne and Romsey.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in New Forest. 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 New Forest we'll be able to give you the detailed New Forest HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Defects flagged in a New Forest Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip: Subsidence
Local Tip: Damp
There are many thatched roof properties in the New Forest area and you are always advised to get a building survey if you're looking to buy one.
In a recent building survey carried out on a property in Woodgreen, Fordingbridge in the New Forest area, the surveyor noted, for example, that an electric fire located in a chimney breast opening (a real fire hazard) and that no spark arrester was evident. The surveyor recommended a specialist to test out the safety of the working of the chimney.
Additionally, the surveyor took several photos which highlighted small plastic spars poking through the thatch (these appeared in the report) which the thatch should have been obscuring and are serious signs of wear. The surveyor took the time to send photographs of the roof to a master thatcher who not only gave expert advice as to the lifespan of the thatch (they said it needed replacing in a few years) but also provided an estimate of the cost of the replacement.
The surveyor also noted the presence of a polythene membrane lining one section of the thatched roof area when inspecting the loft space. The surveyor once again consulted an expert thatcher who concluded that the material wasn't detrimental to the thatching.
Thatched roofs are delightful but need maintenance, which can be very expensive. When you hire a surveyor to carry out a building survey for a property with a thatched roof, you can rest assured not only that they will take the time to inspect it carefully and use their own expertise to draw conclusions within their own field, but also, where they feel their knowledge falls short, they will call upon greater expertise in order to advise you more fully as to the viability of the roof.
Local Tip: Asbestos
Some properties in the New Forest are located nearby to existing or proposed sites for solar farms.
A recent environmental search carried out for a property in Tavells Lane in Marchwood for example flagged up that the property was built within 2km of existing or proposed solar farms.
The location of wind farms or turbines can be contentious due to visual impact.
Types of property in New Forest?
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 New Forest using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your New Forest 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.
Average Cost of Building Surveyor in 2026 in New Forest
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 0333 344 3234.
Thinking of moving to New Forest?
New Forest is a local government district in the county of Hampshire that encompasses the New Forest itself, Lymington, Ringwood, Fordingbridge and various other parishes and settlements, such as New Milton and Milford-on-Sea. It's a relatively affluent and beautiful area.
The principal attraction in the New Forest district area is the New Forest itself, which offers numerous diversions and is legendary as a wildlife area with many horses - you can see Muntjac Deer there if you're lucky! Lymington, originally an Anglo-Saxon village, is a pleasant and historic port town with a major yachting centre. Ringwood similarly dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and is a market town.
The district also has excellent communications, from Bournemouth International Airport to the M27, which is to its north-east. Southampton Station is nearby and both Brockenhurst and New Milton are on the main line connecting Bournemouth with London Waterloo.
Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey New Forest
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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 New Forest'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 New Forest. 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 .
