RICS Valuation: A Complete Guide

What is an RICS Valuation?

An RICS Valuation is an expert evaluation of a property’s or land’s market value, factoring in multiple elements. It’s often needed for mortgages, financial planning, insurance purposes, or building surveys to confirm a wise investment.
Unlike estate agent estimates, it’s performed by a certified RICS Valuer who examines the property’s condition to establish its accurate market worth.
Whether you’re purchasing or selling a home, seeking a mortgage or probate, or resolving a property disagreement, an RICS Valuation delivers a detailed report grounded in professional analysis.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors

Do you need a RICS Valuation Quote?

Click on valuation services for any residential-related valuation enquiry or commercial services for any commercial-related valuation enquiry.

RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors

How long is an RICS Valuation Report valid?

Residential property valuations are valid for a three-month period due to changing market conditions.

Cost of an RICS Property Valuation

An RICS surveyor’s property valuation typically starts at £450 in London and the South East, varying with factors like property value, size, and location. For details on RICS Valuation costs, check our article here.

Recent Reviews of Harding Chartered Surveyors

RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Excellent
Harding Chartered Surveyors
Based on 147 reviews
Jessica Togood was excellent. A friendly and efficient service.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Amanda J.
Incredible service, fast, efficient, knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Laraine G.
Very responsive and professional. Gave us a rendezvous quickly, bang on time including with subsequent report. Cost seemed reasonable. Happy to have chosen Harding.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Stefan B
Thanks so much to all the team at Harding! They were extremely helpful in arranging the survey for us at very short notice.

Scott did the survey on the day and he was incredibly thorough - it's given us great peace of mind for our house move. The report he gave was detailed, well laid out with excellent photographs of every aspect of the house and surrounds. He also took the time to call and walk me through his preliminary findings, which I really appreciated.

Thanks again!
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
john H.
Guy was helpful in explaining the survey and findings over the phone.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Bukhosi
A very efficient and professional. Communication was excellent and the whole process from booking to the report was around 3 weeks. Good value for money. I would recommend without hesitation.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Alan F.
Harding Chartered Surveyors were really quick and helpful throughout this process. Our Level 2 survey was completed quickly and we received an extremely detailed report the next day. Would absolutely recommend using their services!
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Amelia M.
I requested a structural survey couple of years ago due to hairline cracks appearing in my walls.
The report was thorough, advising me that neighbouring trees need to be dealt with.
April 2025 I am in the process of getting the repairs done. The surveyor Alaa Ali has been very helpful assisting and advising my builder in the work that needs to be undertaken to rectify the not so hairline cracks in my Edwardian flat.
The process is not cheap, but it provides a peace of mind to the structural state of my property.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Jan S
Valuation of property for selling purposes, Harding were quick and efficient, and the survey provides peace of mind that a professional surveyor carried out a proper valuation according to the RICS valuation standards. Estate agents are not necessarily qualified, surveyor always are
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
I. H.
The service I received was excellent . The surveyor Charlie Colville was thorough and highly professional .
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Lisa D.
Jessica was very pleasant, helpful and produced our report in the timeline she predicted.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Pete H.
prompt service and a thorough survey report
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Andrea J.
Very efficient in their service, and prompt when responding to any queries.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Tamara Z.
Just want to say that Alaa has been a fantastic help to us, particularly following on from the survey itself - helping us to understand the work needed and interpret the quotes we have received to make sure they match our needs. Thank you!
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Matt W.
Very good service, Kate kept us up to date and well informed.
Very happy with the comprehensive survey report completed by Charlie.
Would use this company again. Thank you
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Amanda G.
RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors

Types of RICS Valuations

A formal valuation of a property or building should be undertaken when required for taxation purposes or legal proceedings. This includes the following:

RICS Valuation for London Properties, Harding Chartered Surveyors

What is a Red Book valuation?

A 'red book valuation' is simply another name for RICS valuations. The name refers to the RICS code of practice, the ‘red book’ that explains the rules, guidelines, best practices and ethical standards that chartered surveyors must adhere to when creating their valuation report. For more information about Red Book Valuations, please read our article here.

Why can’t my estate agent carry out a valuation survey?

When buying or selling a property, your estate agent may offer to provide you with a market valuation. Although they are professionals and should act accordingly, they will have their business interests at heart and will not likely be impartial. Generally speaking, they’ll be most focused on making a sale, earning a commission or earning you as a client so they will be biased.

On the other hand, a Chartered Valuer is guided by strict rules, regulations and best practices that ensure they remain impartial and provide you with a professional, trustworthy service.

Commercial Property Valuations

Please click here for more information about commercial property valuations.

Why do you need an RICS Registered Valuer?

An RICS valuation provides a professional valuation of your property or land. Following strict RICS guidelines and standards and calculated following using one of five methods, they provide you with a market value analysis you can trust. Contact us today for an accurate, professional RICS valuation on your property or land.

Conclusion

At Harding Chartered Surveyors, we aim to be direct, open, and honest. We benchmark ourselves against the client feedback we receive. We deal with complex matters but interpret all the jargon for you to give you a common-sense opinion. We adhere to strict valuation standards as part of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Whether you want to establish your home's value or require a comprehensive inspection of the property for other purposes, we guarantee excellent service.

Our valuers can provide a wide range of services, from a desktop valuation for a quick, preliminary assessment to a comprehensive report that includes every aspect of the property. We thoroughly inspect the property, considering all aspects that may affect its market value. Our report within the agreed timeframe is comprehensive and easy to understand, offering an accurate market value.

One of our core services is providing a lease extension valuation. This service is invaluable for those dealing with leasehold properties in London, particularly concerning the collective enfranchisement process. Our surveyors are also well-versed in handling shared ownership property valuations and Right to Buy valuations for housing associations in the London area.

For those purchasing a home, we offer a comprehensive report that includes the property's value at the time of purchase and an assessment of the value in line with current market trends. This will help you negotiate a fair purchase price.

In line with the government's Help to Buy scheme, we provide an exceptional valuation service to help you understand your property's market value and potential equity for borrowing.

Our services are not limited to residential valuations; we advise on the accurate market value for commercial properties. We would happily answer all our questions and provide a no-obligation quote. We aim to ensure that our clients are fully satisfied with our service. Many of our previous clients have been so happy with the service that they would not hesitate to use us again. Whether you are a homeowner, a housing association, or need a valuation for HMRC purposes, we're here to help. Let our team of experts provide you with an accurate, current valuation of your property.

The Benefits of an RICS Chartered Surveyor

  1. Accurate Market Valuation
    An Independent valuation provides an accurate market valuation of your property. It considers factors such as location, size, condition (defects), and other relevant details to determine the actual value of your property. Therefore, this valuation is based on the latest market trends and is up-to-date.
  2. Compliance with RICS Guidelines
    RICS guidelines ensure that valuations are carried out according to industry standards. A registered valuer must be accountable for their valuation and provide supporting evidence. They must also carry out the valuation per RICS valuation standards, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
  3. Legal Compliance
    If you are involved in a legal process, such as a probate valuation, matrimonial valuation, or lease extension valuation, an RICS valuation is needed. An RICS valuer can provide a professional valuation accepted by the courts and other legal bodies.
  4. Sell Your Property
    An RICS valuation can help you set the right price to sell your property. This valuation considers the property's market value and the value of any improvements you have made. This information can help you set a fair price and attract potential buyers.
  5. Right to Buy Valuation
    If you are a council tenant wanting to buy your property under the Right to Buy scheme, you will need an RICS valuation. This valuation will determine the value of your property and help you calculate the discount you are entitled to.
  6. Help to Buy Loan
    If you are applying for a Help to Buy loan, you will need an RICS valuation. This valuation will determine the property's market value and the loan amount you are eligible for.
  7. Commercial and Residential Property Valuations
    An RICS valuation can be used for both commercial and residential properties. RICS Valuation Surveyor has expertise in valuing different properties, including flats, houses, offices, retail units, and warehouses.
  8. Independent Valuation
    An RICS valuation is an independent valuation that provides an objective assessment of the value of a property. This is different from an estate agent’s or landlord’s, which may not be impartial.
  9. Shared Ownership Schemes
    If you own a share in a shared ownership property, you will need an RICS valuation to determine the whole value of the property. This valuation is required when you want to sell or buy the remaining share.
  10. Professional Valuation
    An RICS valuation is a professional valuation by a qualified RICS registered valuer. This ensures that the valuation is accurate and reliable and gives you the confidence to make informed decisions based on reliable information.