How to know what type of survey to get on a house purchase?

martin2345uk

Hey guys
I am buying this property...
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-96097061.html
I have instructed the solicitors, searches are underway, but I would like to get the survey sorted, but any advice on which is best? I will say that I am bit of a worrier, so would appreciate the peace of mind...!
Just not sure where to pitch it!

Thank you :-)

ameliarate

There are, I think, three types of survey. It depends how much detail you want. I would suggest level 3 if you’re unsure which is a full survey which should find any and all defects.  It is more costly but will give you complete peace of mind. 

martin2345uk

ameliarate said:

There are, I think, three types of survey. It depends how much detail you want. I would suggest level 3 if you’re unsure which is a full survey which should find any and all defects.  It is more costly but will give you complete peace of mind. 

Thanks - I was trying to research and seems these are the options, so you're suggesting the RICS Building Survey if I understand?

TYPE OF SURVEY	ESTIMATED COST
RICS Condition Report (survey level one)	£300 and upwards
RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey only – survey level two)	£350 and upwards
RICS HomeBuyer Report (Survey and Valuation – survey level two)	£450 and upwards
RICS Building Survey (survey level three)	£500 and upwards
Home Condition Survey (offered by the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) rather than RICS	£450 and upwards

Tracet74

The HomeBuyer Report is the best option available to you and you only need to add a valuation if you're a cash buyer.  If you're taking any form of mortgage, your lender would do a valuation as part of their process so you'd be paying twice for it.

martin2345uk

Ah okay so you think I only need the Level 2 survey...? Is there a reason why you don't think level 3 is really needed?
Sorry if these are dumb questions...

Tracet74

The Level 3 is for older properties, in a run down condition or of non-traditional construction, so there'd be no value in having this type of survey.

Hope this helps!

knightstyle

As well as the level 2 survey it will be worth while getting both electrical and Gas safety certificates. These will cost extra but the sellers may contribute if asked properly.

bolwin1

I agree with the posters above. Level 2 looks right to me - fairly modern house, normal looking construction. If there had been a really dodgy looking extension or loft conversion a full survey might have been worthwhile. As before, don't bother with the valuation. Personally I wouldn't bother with the electrical safety certificate, but I would ask about a gas safety one. 

Black_Cat2

Congrats on your purchase Martin.  Putting the chair under the stairs in the lounge is either a great use of space or a stoopid thing to do... seeing you're looking at surveys perhaps you should see if it is hiding something worrying... 😜

martin2345uk

Thank you very much everyone that's been really helpful!!!