When you are in the middle of a property purchase, everything feels like a race against time. You want to get to the exchange of contracts as quickly as possible before anything goes wrong with the chain.
If you are planning to book a home survey, you need to know exactly how it impacts your buying timeline. Let’s break down exactly how long a survey takes, from the moment you call us to the moment the PDF report hits your inbox.
1. Booking and Arranging Access
Once you instruct your surveyor, they need to coordinate with the estate agent or the current homeowner to find a suitable date for the physical inspection. Depending on how responsive the agent is and whether the property is currently occupied, this usually takes a few days to lock in. We have very good availability, give us a call and see how quickly we can book you in!
2. The Physical On-Site Inspection
The time spent at the property depends entirely on the size of the house and the depth of the survey you chose:
- RICS Level 1 Survey: Takes roughly 1 hour. It is a quick visual walkthrough.
- RICS Level 2 Survey: Takes between 1.5 to 3 hours. The surveyor checks internal and external elements, tests for damp, and inspects visible lofts or outbuildings.
- RICS Level 3 Survey: Takes between 3 to 5+ hours. Because this is a thorough structural investigation, the surveyor will take their time checking roofs, floorboards, boundaries, and construction materials.
3. Writing and Delivering the Report (5 to 6 Working Days)
Your surveyor doesn’t just hand you a checklist when they walk out the front door. They return to the office to compile their findings, analyze data (like damp readings), review photographs, and write a comprehensive, legally robust document.
At Sterlingworth Surveyors, we aim to deliver our completed RICS reports within 5 to 6 working days of the physical inspection.
Pro Tip for Homebuyers:
Instruct your surveyor as soon as your offer is accepted to avoid delaying your solicitor’s legal work.
