Looking for a house survey quote?
If you’re buying a property, comparing survey quotes is a sensible place to start.
But survey prices can vary considerably depending on the property, the level of survey and what’s actually included.
You might receive one house survey quote for £450, another for £750 and another for more than £1,000.
That doesn’t necessarily mean one surveyor is expensive.
You may not be comparing the same service.
Before choosing a survey based on price alone, it pays to understand what you’re actually getting, what isn’t included and which survey your property really needs.
Get Your Fixed-Fee Survey Quote
Tell us about the property and we’ll help identify the appropriate survey and provide a fixed-fee quote.
How Much Does a House Survey Cost?
There isn’t one fixed price for every house survey.
The cost will typically depend on factors such as:
- The level of survey required
- Property age
- Property size
- Construction type
- Property value
- Location
- Condition and complexity
- Alterations or extensions
- Any additional services required
A relatively modern property of conventional construction may be suitable for a RICS Level 2 Home Survey.
An older, substantially altered, unusual or visibly defective property may be better suited to a RICS Level 3 Home Survey.
And that’s where comparing survey quotes purely on price can become misleading.
A £450 Level 2 Survey and a £750 Level 3 Survey aren’t necessarily competing prices for the same product.
They’re different services.
Already have a property in mind?
We’ll use the property information you provide to help identify an appropriate survey.
Why Are House Survey Quotes So Different?
If you’ve already started comparing surveyors, you may have noticed something.
One company quotes £450.
Another quotes £750.
Someone else wants more than £1,000.
So who’s expensive?
Possibly nobody.
The difference may be because you’re not comparing exactly the same service.
Survey fees can reflect differences in:
- Survey level
- Property complexity
- Surveyor experience
- Scope of inspection
- Report detail
- Additional services
- Turnaround time
- Post-survey support
It’s a bit like comparing two cars simply because they both have four wheels.
The headline price only tells you part of the story.
The better question is: what am I actually getting for the fee?
Level 2 vs Level 3 Survey Quotes
One of the most important things to establish before comparing prices is which level of survey is appropriate.
RICS Level 2 Home Survey
A Level 2 Home Survey is generally suited to properties of conventional construction that appear to be in reasonable condition.
It may be appropriate for:
- Many relatively modern houses
- Conventional construction
- Flats and maisonettes
- Properties apparently in reasonable condition
It provides an assessment of condition and identifies significant visible defects and matters that may require further attention.
RICS Level 3 Home Survey
A Level 3 Home Survey provides a more detailed assessment and is generally better suited to properties such as:
- Older buildings
- Listed properties
- Properties requiring renovation
- Extensively altered or extended buildings
- Unusual or non-standard construction
- Properties with visible defects
- Larger or more complex buildings
So if one surveyor recommends Level 2 and another recommends Level 3, don’t simply compare the two prices.
First ask:
Why are they recommending different surveys?
Choosing the cheapest quote for the wrong level of survey isn’t necessarily saving money.
Not sure which survey you need?
Tell us about the property and we’ll help you establish which survey is appropriate before you decide.
What Should You Compare Between Survey Quotes?
If you’re comparing two or three surveyors, don’t just line up the prices.
Compare these instead.
1. Which survey are you actually getting?
Make sure you’re comparing like with like.
A Level 2 and Level 3 survey provide different levels of detail and are intended for different property circumstances.
2. Who will carry out the survey?
Check the credentials of both the firm and the person undertaking the inspection.
Sterlingworth Surveyors is regulated by RICS, and our home surveys are undertaken by appropriately qualified surveyors.
3. What’s actually included?
This is where apparently similar survey quotes can become very different.
Depending on the service and provider, additional options may include:
- Market valuation
- Insurance reinstatement cost assessment
- Repair advice
- Estimated repair costs
- Additional inspection services
- Post-survey consultation
- Photographs
If one quotation appears significantly cheaper, check whether you’re actually receiving the same service.
Compare the scope — not just the price.
4. When will you receive the report?
Don’t only ask when the property can be inspected.
Ask:
“When will I receive my completed report?”
When you’re progressing a purchase, the difference can matter.
A low-priced survey isn’t particularly helpful if the timescale doesn’t fit your transaction.
5. Can you speak to the surveyor afterwards?
A survey report can raise questions.
You may want to know:
- How significant is this defect?
- Does it require urgent attention?
- Should I obtain a specialist investigation?
- Should I renegotiate?
- What should I budget for?
- Could this affect my decision to purchase?
Find out what post-survey support is available before instructing.
Is the Cheapest House Survey Always the Best Value?
Price matters.
Nobody wants to pay more than necessary.
But consider the reason you’re buying a survey in the first place.
You’re about to commit a substantial amount of money to a property.
Saving £100 on the survey can quickly become insignificant if important information affects thousands of pounds of future expenditure.
An appropriate survey may help you:
- Understand the property’s condition
- Identify significant visible defects
- Request further investigations
- Budget for future repairs
- Renegotiate following significant findings
- Make a better-informed purchase decision
- Reconsider the purchase if necessary
So when comparing survey prices, the objective shouldn’t necessarily be to find the cheapest survey.
It should be to find the appropriate survey at a competitive price.
Five Questions to Ask Every Surveyor Before You Book
When comparing house survey quotes, ask each firm the same five questions:
1. Which level of survey is appropriate for this property, and why?
2. Who will carry out the inspection?
3. Exactly what is included in the quoted fee?
4. When should I expect the completed report?
5. Can I discuss the findings with the surveyor afterwards?
If two survey quotes are substantially different, the answers to these questions may explain why.
Already Have Another Survey Quote?
Good.
You should compare your options.
Look at:
Survey level → Scope → Surveyor → What’s included → Timescale → Support → Price
Then make your decision.
If you’re currently comparing survey quotes, you can also obtain a fixed-fee quotation from Sterlingworth and compare it alongside the others.
Get a Sterlingworth Survey Quote
No obligation to proceed.
Don’t Just Compare Survey Prices. Compare What You’re Buying.
A property survey isn’t particularly exciting.
But neither is discovering an expensive defect after you’ve collected the keys.
The surveyor occupies an unusual position in the home-buying process.
The seller wants to sell.
The estate agent wants the transaction to complete.
The lender primarily needs to understand whether the property provides suitable security for its lending.
Your independent surveyor is there to assess the property for you.
Sometimes the findings provide reassurance.
Sometimes they help you budget.
Sometimes they give you information you can use when renegotiating.
And occasionally they may identify matters significant enough for you to reconsider the purchase.
That’s why choosing the right survey matters more than simply choosing the lowest number on a quotation.
Compare Your Survey Quote
Already comparing surveyors?
Get another quote before you decide.
Tell us about the property and Sterlingworth Surveyors can provide a fixed-fee quotation for an appropriate Level 2 or Level 3 Home Survey.
We’ll clearly explain:
- Which survey is recommended
- Why it’s appropriate
- What’s included
- What the fee covers
- Available appointment times
Clear scope. Fixed fee. No obligation to proceed.
