Homebuyers Survey in London | RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report


Buying a home in London presents a unique set of challenges, be it a leasehold or freehold, so it is imperative to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the property’s condition before making an investment. One pivotal aspect of this process is to commission a RICS homebuyer survey. RICS homebuyer surveys in London are important, as they assess the condition of the property, highlight any urgent repairs needed, and help identify potential legal issues. The cost around commissioning these surveys can vary depending on the type of survey you opt for and the size of the property.

RICS, standing for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, offers different levels of home buyer surveys, with RICS Level 2 and Level 3 being the most common among London homebuyers, providing a detailed report that could help you decide whether or not the property you're interested in is worth its asking price.

Whether you're looking to buy a residential property, a new build, or are simply moving house, engaging a professional service of RICS chartered surveyors in London ensures a great service and quality report.

For peace of mind and a comprehensive understanding of your potential investment, you need the highest standard of service from a trusted local RICS chartered surveyor. Why not get a free quote today, and help yourself find the perfect property in London? A well-executed survey can be a decisive factor when looking to purchase in London's bustling property market.


Homebuyers Survey in London | RICS – Level 2 Homebuyer Report, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Traffic Light System used in a Homebuyer Report

RICS Level 2 Survey Quote



Why get an RICS Homebuyers Survey?


Qualified Chartered Surveyors frequently find construction issues, utility faults and potential legal disputes when surveying London homes. Yet, only one in five buyers obtain an RICS HomeBuyer Report before purchasing a property.

At Harding Chartered Surveyors, we can uncover the truth about your potential home’s condition through our home surveys to help you decide whether or not your property of interest is a safe investment. Obtain a free quote, or call us to discuss your requirements with a Chartered Surveyor directly.

Benefits of an RICS HomeBuyer Report


Acquiring an RICS HomeBuyer Report brings with it an array of benefits for those looking to purchase a property. Here are some of the key advantages:

  1. Comprehensive Overview of Property Condition: The RICS HomeBuyer Report provides a thorough examination of the property's condition, highlighting any structural issues or potential repairs needed, thus enabling you to make a well-informed purchase decision.
  2. Traffic Light System: The report employs a traffic light system, indicating the severity of potential issues. This offers a simple, easy-to-understand summary of the property’s condition, helping you prioritise urgent repairs.
  3. Market Valuation: As part of the report, you have the option to get a market valuation conducted by a RICS registered valuer(at an additional cost, though discounted compared to a stand alone valuation). This assures you're paying a fair price for the property, based on its current condition and the local market.
  4. Reinstatement Cost Assessment: The report provides an estimate of the rebuilding cost of the property for insurance purposes(at an additional cost, though discounted compared to a stand alone valuation).. This ensures you're adequately covered should anything happen.
  5. Legal Issues Identification: The report can identify potential legal issues that might affect the property's value. This is important for avoiding potential complications or disputes in the future.
  6. Negotiation Power: If the report unveils any serious issues, it could provide you with the leverage to renegotiate the price with the seller or ask them to rectify the problems before completing the sale.
  7. Peace of Mind: Above all, an RICS HomeBuyer Report gives you peace of mind. Knowing the condition of the property you're about to invest a significant amount of money into helps reduce stress and uncertainty.
  8. Mortgage Approval: Many mortgage lenders require a property survey from a recognised body like RICS before approving a mortgage application. The RICS HomeBuyer Report meets this requirement.
  9. Long-Term Savings: While there's an upfront cost to obtaining an RICS HomeBuyer Report, it could save you money in the long term. Identifying and addressing issues early on can help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
  10. Professional Expertise: RICS Chartered Surveyors possess a wealth of knowledge and experience in assessing property condition. You benefit from their expert insight, ensuring the property is thoroughly vetted.

By obtaining an RICS HomeBuyer Report, you ensure that you have all the necessary information about the condition of a property, its market value, and any potential issues that could impact its value or habitability in the future. This is an invaluable tool for any prospective home buyer.

Homebuyers Survey in London | RICS – Level 2 Homebuyer Report, Harding Chartered Surveyors

How much is a Home Buyers Survey for London areas cost?


A Homebuyers Survey for London properties varies depending on the size of the property, but the present starting price is £700. The RICS level 2 House Survey details structural issues, such as subsidence and dampness, as well as other severe problems inside and outside the property. You can also request an additional valuation to see if the home’s asking price reflects its value.

A RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report, which is the most common type of survey, usually starts from around £700 to £1,300. This type of survey provides an overview of the property's condition, highlighting any major issues that could affect the value. RICS HomeBuyer Reports use a traffic light rating system to highlight the most severe property defects and safety issues.

A RICS Level 3 Building Survey, which is a more detailed examination suitable for older, larger, or non-standard properties, can range between £800 and £1,500 or more. This in-depth analysis not only pinpoints defects but also offers advice on repairs and maintenance.

Also, remember that although there is an upfront cost involved in getting a homebuyer's survey, it could save you money in the long term by identifying issues that might require expensive repairs in the future. Therefore, it's a worthwhile investment when purchasing a property in London.

How Harding Chartered Surveyors Can Help


Harding Chartered Surveyors is a renowned local RICS London surveying company, with in-depth knowledge of residential property surveys. Based in London, they offer a wide range of services, including HomeBuyer Surveys, which is a detailed inspection aimed at identifying any potential problems and issues that might impact the value of a property.

Harding Chartered Surveyors' team comprises qualified, experienced, and RICS-accredited surveyors. RICS, or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, is a professional body promoting and enforcing the highest international standards in the valuation, management and development of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. With Harding Chartered Surveyors, you can trust you're in good hands as all their building surveyors meet these stringent standards.

Here's how they can help you with getting a HomeBuyers Survey in London:

  1. Expertise: Harding Chartered Surveyors provides comprehensive and unbiased advice on property condition and value. They understand the unique challenges and quirks of London's property market, thanks to their extensive experience in the region.
  2. Detail-oriented approach: Their HomeBuyers Survey is extremely thorough and includes visual inspections of all accessible areas of the property. Potential problems, from subsidence and dampness to timber decay and roof issues, are spotted early, preventing costly surprises after purchase.
  3. Clear and Concise Reporting: After the inspection, Harding Chartered Surveyors produces a clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand report. This document outlines any defects found during the survey, gives professional advice on repairs and maintenance, and could even provide you with a powerful tool to renegotiate the property's price.
  4. Post-Survey Support: Harding Chartered Surveyors does not just leave you with a report. They also offer post-survey consultations, where you can discuss the survey findings, understand the potential implications, and get professional advice on the next steps with your solicitor.
  5. Value for Money: While a HomeBuyers Survey might seem like an additional expense, it can save you money in the long run. By identifying issues early, you can either negotiate repairs with the seller or factor the cost of repairs into your offer.

In a bustling and diverse property market like London, having the support of a seasoned professional like Harding Chartered Surveyors can be invaluable. By guiding you through the HomeBuyers Survey process, they can ensure you make an informed decision when purchasing your next home.

Is an RICS Homebuyers Survey for your London Property a Worthwhile Investment?


Given the complexity of London's real estate market, it is paramount that potential home buyers survey the London market meticulously. A RICS homebuyer report, provided by a qualified chartered surveyor, can offer a detailed and authoritative perspective on your prospective purchase, assisting you to make a more informed decision.

From as little as £700, you can obtain an RICS HomeBuyer Report while securing peace of mind about your finances' future and your family's comfort and safety. You may also save thousands of pounds on the property price.
The essential RICS HomeBuyer Report is just one of our building surveys. We also offer the RICS level 3 Survey and Roof Surveys. Don’t forget to get a free quote to see which survey is proper for you and how much it will cost, and don’t hesitate to contact us to find a surveyor for your needs; call us on 020 3598 6730 with any questions.

Homebuyers Survey in London | RICS – Level 2 Homebuyer Report, Harding Chartered Surveyors

Recent Reviews from Harding Chartered Surveyors

Homebuyers Survey in London | RICS – Level 2 Homebuyer Report, Harding Chartered Surveyors
Excellent
Harding Chartered Surveyors
Based on 147 reviews
Jessica Togood was excellent. A friendly and efficient service.
Incredible service, fast, efficient, knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend.
Very responsive and professional. Gave us a rendezvous quickly, bang on time including with subsequent report. Cost seemed reasonable. Happy to have chosen Harding.
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!
Guy was helpful in explaining the survey and findings over the phone.
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.
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!
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.
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
The service I received was excellent . The surveyor Charlie Colville was thorough and highly professional .
Jessica was very pleasant, helpful and produced our report in the timeline she predicted.
prompt service and a thorough survey report
Very efficient in their service, and prompt when responding to any queries.
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!
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
Homebuyers Survey in London | RICS – Level 2 Homebuyer Report, Harding Chartered Surveyors

Is a RICS Homebuyers Survey for your London Property a Worthwhile Investment?


From as little as £700, you can obtain a RICS HomeBuyer Report while securing peace of mind about the future of your finances and the comfort and safety of your family. You may also end up shaving thousands of pounds off the property’s asking price.
The basic RICS HomeBuyer Report is just one of the building surveys we offer. Don’t forget to get a free quote to see which survey is right for you and how much will it cost, and don’t hesitate to contact our qualified London chartered surveyors on 020 3598 6730 with any questions.