Rosie Hamilton
Writer & Researcher
Buying property involves a lot of different expenses. Conveyancing fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry charges are just some of the costs you can expect to pay when you buy a house. A cost that homebuyers often forget about is house surveys. While not strictly essential, house surveys provide a great deal of information about the integrity of your prospective new home. So how much are house surveys, and are they a necessary expense?
House surveys cost from £200 - £2000. The price varies greatly depending on the type, location, and size of the property - as well as the level of detail you're looking for.
As a general rule, a Condition Report is the cheapest survey option, while a Structural Survey costs the most. You should expect the survey cost to fall somewhere in the following ranges, but remember that if you're buying a house that's more unusual you may have to pay more:
Survey type | Survey cost |
---|---|
Condition Report (RICS Level 1) | £200 - £250 |
Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) | £400 - £600 |
Home Condition Survey (Sava) | £400 - £600 |
Structural Survey (RICS Level 3) | £1000 - £2000 |
Snagging Survey | > £300 |
There are five types of house surveys available for homebuyers to choose from each with different costs:
Average cost: £200 - £250
The RICS Condition Report is designed for conventional properties built from standard building materials.
A Condition Report (RICS Level 1) covers:
Average cost: £400 - £600
The Homebuyer Report is designed for modern, conventionally built properties in good condition.
A Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) covers:
Average cost: >£400 - £600
Similar to a RICS Homebuyer Report, a Sava Home Condition Survey provides a brief overview of the property’s condition. This includes a rating (out of 1, 2 or 3) of the condition of each element in the property (Walls, mould). The main differences between the Sava report and the RICS report, is that the Sava version involves slightly invasive inspections. As a result, the Home Condition Survey is a little bit more expensive than the RICS Homebuyer Report.
A Sava Home Condition Survey covers:
Average cost: £1000 - £2000
The RICS Level 3 Structural Survey is designed for old, run-down or unusual properties. It provides a detailed report with a highly thorough and invasive inspection of the property. It’s also the most expensive residential building survey available. You should expect a survey cost of around £1,000, but for larger or more unusual properties, you might find the cost is closer to £2,000. For smaller properties, fees starting at £600 are reasonable.
A Structural Survey report (RICS Level 3) covers:
Average cost: >£300
If you're buying a house that's just been built, it may feel unnecessary to have a full investigation into the condition of the property. This is where a 'snagging survey' becomes a suitable option. Snagging surveys are specifically designed for new build properties. They cover everything from small cosmetic issues, to structural problems.
A Snagging Survey covers:
You can read our full guide to the different types of house survey here.
You should choose your house survey based on the type of property you’re buying. You should also take into consideration the level of confidence you have in its current condition. If you’re buying a new build for example, there’s no need to pay for a full Structural Survey.
Survey type | When to choose this report for your property |
---|---|
Condition Report (RICS Level 1) | For conventional properties in good condition and less than five years old. |
Homebuyer Report (RICS Level 2) | For modern properties in reasonable condition. |
Homebuyer Report (Sava) | For modern properties in reasonable condition. |
Structural Survey (RICS Level 3) | For very old, unusual or rundown properties. |
There’s a lot of qualified surveyors available to choose from. Our recommendation is to get quotes from two or three providers. Ask them about their specific expertise, and an outline on what you can expect from their report. This will help you get a sense of which surveyors are offering the best value for money, and who will produce the most useful report for your needs.
While a survey might seem like an extra cost you can avoid, their findings can actually save you huge amounts of money in the long run:
Ultimately, a £600 survey could potentially save you thousands. It's worth the cost.
Most mortgage lenders do require mortgage valuation reports to be completed in order to assess a buyer’s loan application. A mortgage valuation report is not a house survey, but a quick look at a property to assess how much it’s worth. It’s required to ensure the property provides security for the loan. You will be required to pay for it. Generally, mortgage valuations cost upwards of £350 depending on the size of the property.
The buyer is usually the person who arranges and pays for the property survey. This usually happens once their offer has been accepted by the seller.
There’s no specific rule about who pays for problems found in house surveys. However, if problems are found, sellers can use the survey to renegotiate the price of the property, or arrange for the buyer to fix them.
Yes, house surveys are well worth the money! Having an expert inspect the property before you purchase it will ensure your investment is a good one. Any undisclosed problems could cost you thousands of pounds later down the line. With a house survey, the buyer will likely subsidise any problems discovered.
Property surveys vary in price because some are longer and more invasive than others. Price however, should not have an impact on the type of property survey you choose. Your choice of survey should be based on the type of property you’re going to buy. Once you know which survey you need, you can shop around for cheaper surveyors.
Picking the right estate agent is vital for a successful sale. GetAgent makes choosing simple. Discover the best performing agents in your area.
Picking the right estate agent is vital for a successful sale. GetAgent makes choosing simple. Discover the best performing agents in your area.
It takes 2 minutes.
We are a company registered in England & Wales, company number 09428979.
Copyright © 2025 GetAgent Limited