Home Buyers Survey Reading


Trusted by 100s of clients with their home survey in Reading giving our panel of local RICS building surveyors detailed knowledge of properties in your area. We're booking from 08/11/2024* with same-day callback & fast reports starting from just £375 EXC VAT.

Get an Instant Property Survey Reading Quote now or speak to a friendly member of our team on 0118 324 0432.

"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."

Read SAM Conveyancing's trustpilot reviews

National Coverage for House Surveys

National Coverage
Panel of RICS Surveyors for House Survey

Panel of RICS Surveyors
Same Week Availability for House Surveys

Same week availability*
House Survey Costs

Cost from £375 EXC VAT
Fast Reports for House Surveys

Reports in 5 Days**

Defects flagged in a Reading Home Buyers Survey


HomeBuyers Report Reading
Local Tip 1
A considerable area of Reading, in the south and southwest 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 (click for more details).
 HomeBuyers Survey Reading
Local Tip 2
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 saps at the sides of the flights that should be filled prior to redecoration.
Surveyor Reading
Local Tip 3
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 recommend 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?

After 10 years of helping over 30,000 clients we've learned alot 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 the 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 - 0118 324 0432 (local call charges apply).


What defects are flagged in a Homebuyer's Survey?


Prev
Crack in outside wall above window flagged in a Home Building Survey
Cracks/Subsidence

Cracks are inspected and in the report will confirm if you need a structural engineer as there are signs of historical or current movement.

Damp and mould on a wall flagged in a Home Building Survey
Damp

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.

Rotting wood on a window frame flagged in a Home Building Survey
Wood Rot

The wooden door frames and windows will be inspected for rotting and wood worm.

Rat Infestation flagged in a Home Building Survey
Infestations

The surveyor looks for signs of infestations through droppings, damage to piping/flooring and in some cases finding where the nest is.

Japanese Knotweed in a garden flagged in a Home Building Survey
Japanese Knotweed

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.

Drains and man hole covers flagged in a Home Building Survey
Drains and Manhole Covers

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.

Roof loft space with insulation flagged in a Home Building Survey
Roof and Loft Space

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.

Next
Difference between a level 2 and level 3 house survey
A Level 2 HomeBuyers Report is for newer, conventional properties. A Level 3 Building Survey is for a comprehensive analysis, for older or larger properties.

Is a homebuyers survey worth it?
For conventional properties, a HomeBuyers Survey is invaluable. Identified defects can be used as leverage during price negotiations with the seller and can save 1000s of pounds.

Average Cost of Building Surveyor 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.

Download an Example Level 2 and Level 3 Home Survey



RICS Home Survey Level 2




RICS Home Survey Level 3


Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey Reading


You don't need to contact your lender to arrange a HomeBuyer Survey in Reading. While they may recommend specific survey companies, we advise obtaining a quote online directly from a RICS-certified professional familiar with your property's locality, ensuring a comprehensive HomeBuyers Survey quote.
Typically, home buyers and investors request a Valuation and a Survey simultaneously, which is encompassed in our RICS HomeBuyers Report. For older or unconventional properties, consider a Level 3 Building Survey. Get your online quote for a property survey from our experienced house surveyors in Reading now.

A standard HomeBuyers Survey in Reading takes approximately 3.5 hours, including local travel, property visitation, and report generation at the office.
With national coverage across England and Wales, including Reading, our back-office systems enable us to identify available RICS surveyors, even outside your locality. If you need a survey carried out urgently, our knowledge, contacts, and systems allow us to find you the best RICS surveyor at the most competitive cost.
We’re committed to equipping you with the necessary tools, information, and pricing to make informed decisions. You'll get a same day call with your Reading RICS Surveyor to discuss your survey, as part of our service to you. You'll always receive full contact details of your RICS Chartered Surveyor when arranging with us.
We offer professional and comprehensive HomeBuyers Survey services in Reading. Our RICS-certified professionals know the local property market intimately. Get an instant online price quote for a survey from our experienced house surveyors in Reading:

The cost of a HomeBuyers Survey varies depending on the type and size of the property, among other factors. At SAM Conveyancing, the average cost for our HomeBuyers Survey in Reading starts from £375 EXC VAT. Remember, a survey could save you significant money in the long run by identifying potential issues early.
Absolutely. Our team at SAM Conveyancing provides a thorough HomeBuyers Survey checklist, guiding you through what our surveyors will inspect. This includes the property's interior and exterior condition and advice on necessary repairs or potential problems.
We understand that sometimes surveys are urgent. While a typical survey takes around 3.5 hours, a Level 3 building survey will often take longer as it is a more thorough inspection. We pride ourselves on our national coverage and extensive network. Even for urgent requests, we strive to find you the best RICS surveyor in Reading to complete the survey promptly.
Your satisfaction is our priority. If you have any issues, you can raise a formal complaint. If you remain unsatisfied, you can resort to a third-party dispute resolution service. Our Reading-based RICS surveyor will work diligently to resolve your concerns, potentially revisiting the property if necessary.

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:

Service Provider
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
Address
100 St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BU
Website
CEDR.com
We have local RICS Listed Building Surveyors who specialise in listed building surveys in Reading.
We cover the whole Reading area and have recently completed HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys near you, at:
  • Kentwood Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6DL
  • Matlock Road, Caversham Heights, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7BS
  • Rotherfield Way, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8PJ
  • Stanbury Gate, Spencers Wood, Reading, RG7 1SR
  • Birdhill Avenue, Reading, RG2 7JU
You can review what planning applications have been granted or denied for properties in your area by contacting Reading Borough Council at Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU, telephone 0118 937 3787, or you can check the local authority website.

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.


*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 Reading's leasehold flats require only a RICS HomeBuyer Report but for any Victorian conversions, a Building Survey may well be required.

Click to see an Example HomeBuyers Report