"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 Swansea
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in The Mumbles, Three Crosses, Gowerton, Morriston, Skewen, Briton Ferry and Fforest-fach.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Swansea. 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 Swansea we'll be able to give you the detailed Swansea HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Defects flagged in a Swansea Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip: Subsidence
Properties in Swansea which are built in close proximity to the floodplain of the River Tawe, affecting streets such as Trawler Road and Cambrian Place, are sometimes subject to flood warnings and alerts.
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
According to the UK Health Security Agency, most of Swansea, including streets such as De La Beche Street and Dynevor Place, is in a raised radon area, with properties built there having a higher probability than average of experiencing ground Radon emissions.
The raised Radon area has a maximum radon potential of 3 - 5% (the percentage is the chance of a property being built where Radon emissions might measure above the action level).
If you are concerned that a property you are buying is in an area of raised Radon, please click to visit UK Health Security Agency's UK Radon Map. Click also to find out more about Radon, Radon property searches and much more.
Local Tip: Asbestos
Some properties in Swansea may be built in areas where there are natural cavities nearby, which can affect ground stability.
A recent environmental search carried out for a property in Bryncerdin Road, Newton indicated that there was a moderate potential for natural ground instability in the area within 50m of the property.
Click to find out more about subsidence
Types of property in Swansea?
Swansea significantly expanded in population – and with it, housing development – in the Victorian era and many of its listed buildings were built in this period. There are Georgian properties here and there, including, for example, in Park Place, Gower. The Tabernacle Chapel at Morriston was built in 1872 by John Humphreys of Swansea.
There are any number of Victorian properties to be seen, for example the semi-detached properties in Terrace Road, Mount Pleasant and large classic terrace properties in Victoria Gardens, Neath.
Housing also developed greatly in the 20th century and there are a number of council estates that were built in the earlier part of the century onwards, such as Townhill, built in the Garden City style layout and overseen by Ernest Morgan, the Swansea city architect, in the early 1920s with housing a mix of detached, terrace and semi-detached properties.
There are many new build properties available in the area, such as the purpose-built flats in Sway Road, the town houses in Langdon Road and large, detached properties in Heol Pentre Bach, Casllwchwr.
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 Swansea using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Swansea 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 Swansea
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 Swansea?
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales, lying within the historic county of Glamorgan. It's Wales' second largest city after the capital, Cardiff, and is a major passenger port for people travelling to and from Ireland by boat.
Swansea has traditionally been a major port, trading in wine, hides, wool cloth and, during the Industrial Revolution and later, coal. It was also a centre for copper mining and smelting.
The 20th century saw a decline in Swansea's traditional heavy industry, and the city has since moved more towards the services sector. It has invested in attracting tourism, particularly to its coastal areas, where surfing has greatly increased as a pursuit. Swansea might be best known by many in the UK for hosting the DVLA, the government body devoted to managing motorised vehicle licensing.
Landmarks include Swansea Castle, the Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston and the Swansea Guildhall. Notable people from the city include the poet Dylan Thomas and the actor Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Frequently Asked Questions: Homebuyers Survey Swansea
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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 Swansea'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 Swansea. 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 .
