There are different types of house surveys to consider that can help you make an informed decision when buying a house. A Level 2 Homebuyers Survey is the most popular choice, but what exactly is it?
A Homebuyers Survey can help detect issues so you can avoid unexpected expenses after you have purchased a property. The survey can highlight any visible problems that can be used to renegotiate on the price with the seller, saving you money.
Make sure that you check if your quoted fee includes VAT, as this can vary between surveyors.
Mortgage valuations and property surveys are very different. A property survey can identity any issues, or future issues, in a property before you purchase it. A mortgage valuation is carried out for the benefit of the lender. It is a quick assessment that the property is worth the money you’ve agreed to pay for it.
The survey itself will usually take between 90 minutes and four hours. The wait for the results of the survey is usually 3-5 working days.
If the survey uncovers significant issues, there are different options you might consider. You might choose to negotiate on the price with the seller or you could request that the seller makes the repairs before finalising the purchase. If the issues are significant enough you may choose not to go through with the purchase.
After receiving your survey report, most surveyors will be happy to discuss the findings of the survey and answer any questions you may have. If you are happy with the findings of the survey, you can choose to go ahead with the sale. If the outcome is negative, you may use the report for negotiations on the price of the property.
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"Really professional, thorough survey which gave me a lot of information which changed my mind on the property."
xkbx on 08/01/2026
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