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House survey guides and advice for buyers
Plain-English answers to the questions our surveyors are asked most. Read a guide, download a checklist, or take our short quiz to find the survey that fits your property.
Showing 11 guides
Buying advice8 min read
Buying a home in 2026: why a survey matters more in a shifting market
Modest price growth, uneven regional performance, and mortgage rates higher than expected: in 2026's market, a professional survey is how you protect the biggest purchase of your life.
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Survey types7 min read
What is a RICS Level 2 Survey? A homebuyer's guide for 2026
A RICS Level 2 Survey (HomeBuyer Report) is a professional inspection of a property's condition — what it covers, who it suits, and why it matters more in 2026's market.
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Survey types8 min read
Mortgage valuation vs survey: they are not the same thing
The mortgage valuation your lender arranges is not a survey, doesn't inspect the property for your benefit, and won't catch the things that actually cost you money.
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Survey types7 min read
RICS Level 2 vs Level 3: which survey does your property need in 2026?
A Level 2 HomeBuyer Report suits conventional homes in reasonable condition; a Level 3 Building Survey is built for older, altered or unusual properties. How to choose in 2026.
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Selling advice7 min read
Selling your house? Here's why a pre-sale survey could save your sale
With buyers more cautious and mortgage rates still elevated, sales are more likely to stall over survey findings. A pre-sale survey lets you find and fix issues before a buyer's surveyor does.
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Reading your report11 min readDownload
How to read your RICS survey report (without wading through 40 pages)
Your report has landed and it's longer than you expected. Here's the order to read it in, what the traffic-light ratings mean, and what actually needs action.
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Buying advice14 min readDownload
The first-time buyer’s survey guide (2026 edition)
A step-by-step walkthrough for first-time buyers: what to book, when to book it, how to read the report, and how to renegotiate on defects.
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Buying advice9 min readDownload
How to negotiate after a survey, without losing the house
A survey with red findings isn't the end of a purchase — it's the start of a negotiation. Here's how to run it so you keep the house and the price is fair.
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Survey types14 min read
Level 2 vs Level 3 Survey: which do you actually need?
A side-by-side comparison of the RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report and the RICS Level 3 Building Survey — cost, depth, timing, and when each is the right call.
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Survey types10 min read
Which survey do I need? A decision guide by property age, type and condition
A practical decision guide to choosing between a RICS Home Survey Level 2, a Level 3 Building Survey or a valuation — by construction, type and condition.
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Period homes13 min read
Buying a period property: what a Victorian or Edwardian house needs that a modern one doesn’t
Period properties are built differently, age differently, and need different repairs than modern housing. What to check for, and what to expect from the survey.
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Not sure which survey you need?
Answer six short questions about the property and we'll recommend the right level of survey, with the reasoning behind it. Takes about a minute.