"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."
Defects flagged in a Prestwich Home Buyers Survey
The sandy composition of the soil under Prestwich is eroded by subterranean water coming down from the hills above Ramsbottom. This can happen in extremes when underground pipes leak; a damaged sewage pipe caused a 33 metre sinkhole to open in Prestwich in May 2025.
Book a survey with one of our local Prestwich RICS Surveyors, trained to spot signs of subsidence and forewarn you before you sign contracts.
Homes on the western edge of Prestwich, close to the River Irwell, and on the eastern side of the A576, just outside of Prestwich, are at low to high risk of flooding.
Flooding and proximity to bodies of water can lead to damp problems in homes. Our local Preswich RICS Surveyor will look for signs of damp or rot and include these in their report.
From 1912 to 1961, the population more than doubled (from 12,800 to 31,000), with thousands of new houses built around Prestwich's older, Victorian bones. Asbestos, deadly when disturbed, was widely used in new home construction and renovations on pre-existing homes from the 1930s to the 1990s.
Get a home survey from one of our local Prestwich RICS Surveyors. They will flag any visible signs of asbestos in their report.
Types of property in Prestwich?
The centre of Prestwich is characterised by red brick and exuberant Victorian detailing. Period properties centre around the Bury Old Road (1754) and the Bury New Road (1828). Compulsory purchase orders in the 60s and 70s, designed to remove slum dwellings, took out much of the village's historic core. There is mid-century housing in Clarks Hill and modern homes at The Coppice.
The town balances being both down-to-earth and upwardly mobile, with nice bars and restaurants and a strong character independent of Manchester, while being well connected to the city and the nearby countryside.
Why Choose Sam Conveyancing for your Home Survey?
After 10 years of helping over 40,000 clients, we've learned a lot about surveys in Prestwich using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Prestwich 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 call and we'll happily tell you what you need - 0161 8507159 (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 Prestwich
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 0161 8507159.
Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey Prestwich
We take problems very seriously, and if you encounter an issue, we ensure your concerns are addressed promptly and professionally. The initial step involves submitting a formal, written complaint, outlining the problem and supplementing it with any supporting evidence, like photos.
Our Manchester-based surveyor will send you their Formal Complaints Procedure outlining the expected response timeframes. They will work to rectify your complaint and might even propose revisiting the property in Manchester. After a comprehensive review, they will write back to you, hopefully resolving your complaint through the provision of further information.
If you remain unsatisfied, you can resort to a third-party dispute resolution service to which the surveyor is registered. This service becomes accessible only after you have formally complained to your surveyor.
The details of the dispute resolution service for RICS surveyors are as follows:
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
100 St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BU
CEDR.com
- 48 Chapel Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M25 9SR
- 52 Albert Avenue, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M25 0LX
- 69 Lowther Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M25 9GP
- 4 Merton Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M25 1PN
- 12 Brandram Road, Greater Manchester, M25 1HJ
Local Building Survey Prestwich
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Manchester, Middleton, Bury, Salford, Eccles, Heywood and Oldham.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Prestwich. 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 Prestwich, we'll be able to give you the detailed Prestwich HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
*Survey prices vary depending on the type of survey, the size of the property and the property's location.
**Subject to availability. If your survey date is longer than 1 week then ask and we will try to fit you in sooner.
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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 Prestwich'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 Prestwich. 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 0161 8507159 to find out if your property suits a RICS Building Survey, or read our article Which Home Buyers Survey suits your property .
