How do I decide between survey companies ?

BladeSince98

We are in the process of buying our first house. Looking into surveys we are going to go with a level 03 survey. I am just wondering how people decided who to go with ? I have a handful of quotes from local and nationwide companies and they all differ in price all for a level 03 survey. 

Example - GoTo company originally quoted £795 but came down to £650 when i explained Honeywell quoted £620. Both of these are recommended through reallymoving and compare my move which are both MSE recommended tools. They look like the companies are a nationwide board which allocate the job to a more local surveyor (correct me if I'm wrong)

We also got recommended a local company by the estate agent of the seller, they quoted me £840 and then have been able to come down to £714. 

I'm assuming that any level 03 survey is the same from anywhere it is a question of competency maybe and customer service? I'm just after help on how to decide which to go with. I got a good feeling off both GoTo and the local firm.   

MEM62

As long as they are RICS registered, go with whatever firm you are most comfortable with.   

monkey-fingers

MEM62 said:

As long as they are RICS registered, go with whatever firm you are most comfortable with.   

This. Many surveyors work as consultants. You may find it's the same person doing the survey, whoever you go with.

People think of solicitors and conveyancers being on a panel, but often it's the same with surveyors. GoTo use consultants, much like many of the others.

Albermarle

Just a friendly warning, that there are many threads on here from FTBs who have received the results of their survey and are very worried.
Be aware that surveyors are very careful to highlight every issue they find, however small/not very important, so as there is no comeback later.
This has the effect of often making the survey rather scary, when in fact often there are no major issues , although of course they might discover something serious.
Usually the surveyor will be happy later to have an informal chat, where they can be a bit more open, and take a more rounded view of the property.

jackieblack

We went with one the estate agent recommended so that when we went back to them with his findings, they couldn't try an claim it was just an 'incompetent' surveyor

TheJP

Firstly figure out what level of survey you need, a level 3 survey is for older more complex properties. Those that will have obvious visual needs that would have been clear at viewing and need more investigation. If its a house built within the last 30 years then a level 2 will be fine.

As @abermarle says quite often surveyors will list things that are no need for concern as doomsday script which can scare an FTB or make them feel the need to ask for unrealistic reductions putting the sale at jeopardy. Surveyors arent expects they are guides, if an issue is raised its always best to ask an expert/trades person to review especially regarding quotes as surveyors will list a finger in the air style number which is usually 50% higher than what it will actually cost.

good luck 

FoundTheRightHome

Survey reports often read scarier than they need to because surveyors have to record everything they see, even if it’s minor or normal for a property of that age. A useful way to read a survey is to separate:

• issues that affect structure or safety

• issues that affect future costs

• routine maintenance or cosmetic points

The number of issues matters much less than their severity. A long report doesn’t automatically mean a bad property — it usually means a thorough inspection.

It’s also worth having a follow-up call with the surveyor. They’re often much more candid verbally and can explain which findings actually matter in practice.Choosing the right type of survey for the property matters too — not every home needs the most expensive option.