What are the different types of house survey?

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the industry authority on house surveys, so it’s worth choosing a RICS-qualified surveyor. Here’s a quick overview of the different survey types on offer: RICS Condition Report A basic RICS condition report is recommended for properties. It is a cost-effective way to get a health check on the home you’re planning on buying, using a traffic light system to highlight any areas of concern. It reports on the condition only and does not give additional advice. It does not include a valuation and building reinstatement figure. RICS Homebuyers Report The RICS homebuyers report is a comprehensive check of homes in a reasonable condition and the most popular of all available surveys. It’s designed to spot any areas of a building that needs repairs, along with advice on ongoing maintenance. It includes a valuation and building reinstatement figure. RICS Building Survey If the house you’re buying is especially old, or you’re planning on doing some work to the property, it’s likely you’ll need a full structural survey. As the most comprehensive of all survey types, it will highlight all areas of concern, but is also the most expensive of all home buyer surveys.  This is often confused with a structural report. It is suitable for older, more unusual properties and those that have been altered and extended. Structural report A structural engineer will typically inspect a property when a defect such as movement has been identified. The engineer might also be a building surveyor but in the report should provide a diagnosis and estimated cost of repair, which can be used by your mortgage provider if necessary. You can find a RICS-qualified surveyor in your area, here. This guide to house surveys was produced in collaboration with Countrywide, the UK’s largest and most successful estate agency and property services Group.