House Survey
Get an Instant Quote for a 
Home Survey or call us on 0333 344 3234 (Mon-Fri 8-6 Sat 11-1)
Love our Competitive House Survey Costs
Local Building Surveyors (throughout England)
Fast Availability and Delivery of Reports
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - RICS Surveyors
Which Survey
do I need?
Do you need a Building Survey or a HomeBuyers Report? Not sure what the difference is? Find out here!
Plus sample reports and more.
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The
importance
of getting a
home survey
Love our tailored
HomeBuyers Survey Quotes
We'll tailor your home buyers survey costs to your specific property making sure you get the right survey at a competitive price; either the Home Buyer Report or the Full Building Survey
Local Professionals
Our surveyors use their local knowledge to ensure they deliver a detailed report to help you decide whether you should move forward with your home move or if you should pull out. We can even support you with future plans such as extensions and plan drawings
Fast availability and delivery
We normally have availability within days of you booking and our turnaround for reports are within 3 working days for HomeBuyer Reports and 5 working days for Building Surveys
Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors RICS Qualified
All of our chartered surveyors are registered with and regulated by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and have indemnity insurance that covers all of the work they undertake for you.
About our house survey services
We have hand selected some of the best surveyors to work with in the market who provide a service we are prepared to put our name to. We have a number of different specialist surveyors who handle different types of survey which include:
- RICS Regulated surveyors for Level 2: HomeBuyer Reports, Level 3: Building Surveys, Property Valuations and Snag Reports
- Structural Engineers for Intrusive and Non-Intrusive Subsidence Inspection, Survey to Remove Load Bearing Wall, Plan Drawings for Extensions and Measured Drawings.
- Drawing Surveyors for Measuring Floor Plans (selling a property), ACAD Drawings and Land Registry Compliant Boundary Plans (used for splitting a property)
- PCA Regulated Surveyors for Damp & Timber Surveys
- Asbestos Surveyors for Asbestos Surveys
- Drain Surveyors for CCTV Drain Surveys
When using a SAM panel surveyor we handle all of the booking process for you and we have negotiated 'better than direct' fees with all of our panel surveyors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a fixed quote?
You can either call our us on 0333 344 3234 (local call charges apply) and we'll discuss the type of survey you need, or you can use our online form above to set a call back time that suits you.
During our call we'll discuss what your intentions are and which survey would better suit your style of property. We then email you a competitively priced fixed fee quote setting out the scope of work for the service chosen.
How do I book a SAM Surveyor?
Booking is easy, so when you are ready to instruct you call us on 0333 344 3234 (local call charges apply). We take all of the property details including:
- Your full names and correspondence address;
- Property address;
- Type of property; and
- Estate agent or access details.
We book in our panel surveyor on the earliest available date (normally within 2 to 3 days) or on a specific date of your choice
What areas of England do we cover?
We have a very large panel of local RICS surveyors throughout the whole of England including:
- Building survey in London;
- Building survey in Guildford;
- Building survey in Reading;
- Building survey in Manchester;
- Building survey in Portsmouth;
- Building survey in Birmingham; and even
- Building survey in Exeter
What qualifications does a RICS surveyor have?
Our RICS surveyors are all regulated by RICS and hold one of the following accreditations:
- Associate RICS (AssocRICS)
- Member RICS (MRICS); or
- Fellow RICS (FRICS).
How do I choose between a HomeBuyer Report & a Building Survey?
Call us on 0333 344 3234 (local call charges apply) and we'll suggest the type of survey based on the type of property you are buying. As a rule here is some guidance on both report types:
Level 2: HomeBuyer Report
Best suited for:
- Standard construction houses;
- Bungalows; or
- Flats
This is how the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors explain the benefits of the HomeBuyer Report
"The service is specifically designed for lay clients who are seeking a professional opinion at an economic price. It is, therefore, necessarily less comprehensive than a level 3 building survey. The focus of the service is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property, and identifying and evaluating the particular features that affect its present value and may affect its future resale.
The inspection is not exhaustive, and no tests are undertaken. There is, therefore, a risk that certain defects may not be found that would have been uncovered if testing and/or a more substantial inspection had been undertaken. This is a risk that the client must accept. However, where there is ‘a trail of suspicion’ the surveyor ‘must take reasonable steps to follow the trail’. These ‘reasonable steps’ may include recommending further investigation."
Following the trail: The relevant passage is from Roberts v J. Hampson & Co. (1989) in which Kennedy J. states ‘As it seems to me the position that the law adopts is simple. If a surveyor misses a defect because its signs are hidden that is a risk that his client must accept. But if there is specific ground for suspicion and the trail of suspicion leads further behind furniture or under carpets the surveyor must take reasonable steps to follow the trail until he has all the information which it is reasonable for him to have before making his valuation.’
Level 3: Building Survey
Best suited for properties that:
- are of any age;
- have extensive outbuildings, grounds and leisure facilities;
- are of unusual type;
- have load bearing structures or simple frames, or use less common structures;
- use new and developing technologies or materials;
- use conventional or non-conventional building materials and construction methods;
- have service and lifestyle systems not commonly found in domestic residential properties; and/or
- incorporate renewable energy and other sustainability features (e.g. grey water harvesting).
This is how the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors explain the benefits of the Building Survey
"The service is specifically designed for clients seeking an impartial and detailed assessment of the property. The property is therefore condition reported at a level of thoroughness necessary to provide a balanced and informed opinion that is also clear and jargon-free and in compliance with the terms agreed in the DBS. As a result, the report is necessarily more comprehensive and the inspection more extensive than that for an RICS HomeBuyer or Condition Report.
The inspection of the building and grounds for the building survey is more extensive than that for the RICS HomeBuyer or Condition Report Service (see the HSIS). Consequently, the surveyor will spend a considerably longer time at the property. The surveyor is responsible for carefully and thoroughly inspecting the property and recording the construction and defects that are evident. The surveyor is advised not to limit the time for inspection and should take the time required for the property in question.
The surveyor should carry out the inspection in a logical sequence, and it is essential that all relevant parts of the property are closely inspected. For example, the interdependence of the different parts of the structure, should be assessed, especially the way in which the roof, walls (internal and external) and floors interact, so that each part is not considered in isolation. The mandate to follow the trail of suspicion should also be clearly demonstrated.
The extent of an inspection will depend on a range of specific circumstances, and the surveyor will have to judge each case on an individual basis.
You should always make sure that the survey is performed by a surveyor who has sufficient knowledge and competence necessary to carry out a detailed condition assessment of the property.
Does a RICS surveyor test the electrics or gas?
Services are generally hidden within the construction of the property. This means that only the visible parts of the available services can be inspected, and the surveyor does not carry out specialist tests. The visual inspection cannot assess the efficiency or safety of electrical, gas or other energy sources; plumbing, heating or drainage installations (or whether they meet current regulations); or the inside condition of any chimney, boiler or other flue.
If there are visible issues then the surveyor flags these in their report and then you can get a specialist engineer to attend the property and complete tests.
Does a RICS surveyor confirm if the property has subsidence?
A RICS surveyor provides their opinion on if they suspect their is current or historical signs of movement. If they feel there is current signs of movement then they will advise you within your report to obtain specialist guidance from a structural engineer.
What happens if you need to make a formal complaint related to the survey?
We expect the service provided by our surveyor to meet with the scope instructed and that you will be very happy with the service provided by them. In the unlikely event that you need to raise a formal complaint then you will need to write to your surveyor detailing the reasons for your complaint and provide supporting evidence including photographs. Your surveyor will provide you with a copy of their Complaints Procedure for which they will adhere to.
Your Surveyor will take all reasonable steps to resolve your complaint and may look to complete a revisit to the property. They will then write to you with their formal response to your complaint.
In the event that you are unsatisfied with the surveyors response to your complaint then you have the right to raise your complaint with the Ombudsman Services and you can do so using the following link - Ombudsman Services: Property.
A Home Buyer Survey - What does it cover?
A HomeBuyers Survey involves an examination of the structure of the inside and the outside of a property aimed at pinpointing issues such as subsidence, damp, cracks, infestation and damage. The survey is non-intrusive.
If the HomeBuyers Survey shows up any such problems, our appointed surveyor will explain to you what you should do to get more in-depth information about the type and scope of the matter and what is required to fix it.
If you are worried about any defects that you think your property in Ascot has, we strongly recommend you get a HomeBuyers Survey as the cost of remedying the problem might grow to many thousands of pounds as time progresses.
Subsidence Inspection
The surveyor will look for signs of subsidence within the property paying special attention to signs of cracking internally and to the external walls. As a rule, if you can fit the width of a 50p into a crack in a wall, it could be a sign of subsidence. Our surveyors will flag in their reports if they feel you need to instruct a structural engineer to review a crack further.
Damp Testing
There are numerous reasons why a property can be affected by damp. The Surveyor will take samples in the property using a damp meter and assess the condition of the property to provide a report on whether they feel the property is affected by damp. Further investigations maybe suggested including getting a damp and timber specialist.
Identify Infestations
Woodworm, mice, rats and ants are infestations that your don't want in your home. Your surveyor will look for visible signs of mouse droppings, damage to floor boards (when visible) and damage to wiring, carpets or skirting boards
Asbestos
Prior to its banned use, asbestos was a commonly used building material, particularly as part of cement products, floor tiles and roofing shingles. Asbestos was used for its durability and resistance to heat and is commonly found in artex ceilings, garage roofing and chimney stacks. Your surveyor will confirm if they suspect any materials in the property have asbestos and if so, suggest getting an asbestos surveyor to intrusively taking samples of the asbestos to confirm the type.
HOMEBUYERS REPORT
A HomeBuyers Report is general visual inspection for flats, new properties or bungalows of standard construction. Most leasehold flats should have a HomeBuyers Report, however the only exception are converted properties which may need a Building Survey.
A Mortgage Valuation Survey is not a HomeBuyers Survey
People have been known to confuse a mortgage valuation with a HomeBuyers Survey. This confusion can prove costly and end up in a home buyer having to fork out for expensive repair costs which should have been shared with the vendor with this reflected in a reduction in the original sale price. If you're buying a property in Ascot with a mortgage, your lender conducts its own mortgage valuation to calculate the value of the property and this is in no sense a report on structural defects.
A HomeBuyers Survey notes defects as well as including a full valuation of a property independently of the mortgage lender or anyone else. The information in it can be used to get quotes for the cost of fixing any issues and presents evidence for bargaining with the seller about sharing repair costs, if appropriate.
BUILDING SURVEY
Most freehold houses in Ascot that are over 50 years old, that have been refurbished/developed or are unusual in style should get a Building Survey. A Building Survey used to be called the Full Structural Survey and is the most comprehensive visual inspection a surveyor can provide. Choosing a HomeBuyers Report when you should have a Building survey can be costly if key defects don't get reported in the detail you require.
Meet our Building Surveyors
We employ only expert Building Surveyors to undertake surveys. Whether you are buying an old run down 'doer upper' or standard construction freehold house, our surveyors have seen them all.
With a vast number of years of experience completing surveys on properties we'll be able to give you the detailed report you need to know what defects there are with your property.
