House Survey Quotes

Suesue333

Hello everyone,

I’ve had an offer accepted on the most beautiful little cottage, but because of the age, I’m getting a Level 3 survey done. 

My issue is there’s HUGE disparity between the quotes. From what I can see they all include the same things, but they’ve ranged from the cheapest at £650 and most expensive at £1295! 

Is it a case of you get what you pay for and I should pay more for a better quality survey, or is it a case of a Level 3 survey is a Level 3 survey and I can just go with the cheapest? 

**EDIT - I’ve only been looking at RICS qualified surveyors. So I’m really confused by the disparity. 

penners324

I would think you need a surveyor approved by your mortgage company 

Tracet74

Hi Sue

I work with a firm of surveyors and each firm is at liberty to set their own fees.  Fees are generally guided by the purchase price of the property itself.  For a lessor fee, it may be a small one-man type company.  You could ask for example reports as some companies will follow their template whereas others use the RICS template.  You can also check out online reviews to get a feel for the company you are looking to appoint.

If you are taking a mortgage, your lender would use their own valuer for the valuation but you are able to choose any firm you want for the Level 3.

More than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Hope this helps!

propertyrental

penners324 said:

I would think you need a surveyor approved by your mortgage company 

Why? The mortgage lender (assuming there is one) will appoint their own Valuer.

Sometimes (not always) it can be cheaper to use the Valuer appointed by the lender to do a survey at the same time as the Valuation. Worth asking the lender for a price for adding on a survey to the Valuation.

However there is a possible downside. The lender's Valuation is very basic, so adding in a level 3 survey means the lender (as well as you) will have site of any and all issues. Some of those issues might not worry you but might worry the lender.

By arranging a survey entirely independantly of the lender's Valuation, the lender will not see it.

Bigphil1474

We were quoted between £620 and £900 for a L3 survey on a £350k house. All localish firms. As above, look for reviews.

Suesue333

Tracet74 said:

Hi Sue

I work with a firm of surveyors and each firm is at liberty to set their own fees.  Fees are generally guided by the purchase price of the property itself.  For a lessor fee, it may be a small one-man type company.  You could ask for example reports as some companies will follow their template whereas others use the RICS template.  You can also check out online reviews to get a feel for the company you are looking to appoint.

If you are taking a mortgage, your lender would use their own valuer for the valuation but you are able to choose any firm you want for the Level 3.

More than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much! 💖

I do have another quick question - I’ve seen that Level 2 surveys generally include a valuation, but Level 3 surveys don’t. Would I need to book in a separate Level 3 survey, or is this something that’s done through the lender?

Sorry if that’s a silly question - house buying is so confusing, I feel like I need a degree in economics to figure it all out!