Level 3 (Building Survey)
An Level 3 Home Survey, sometimes called a Building Survey, or formerly a Structural Survey, is the most in-depth condition report available for a property and includes a detailed inspection and report that highlights areas of concern and is most suited to older buildings or where there may be defects.
We provide RICS Level 3 Home Surveys for properties in London and the South East, including Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex.
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What is a RICS Level 3 Home Survey?
A RICS Level 3 Home Survey, previously known as a Building Survey, or Full Structural Survey, includes a visual inspection and a highly detailed report on the condition of a property. The report covers all parts of the property that can be seen, including a visual assessment of the services.
The report aims to inform you about the state of repair of the property, including any maintenance issues, remedial actions required, and the risks of inaction. It is ideal for any type of property, but is particularly recommended where there may be defects, or for older properties.
Why choose Murrins for your RICS Level 3 Home Survey?
All our Building Surveys are carried out by experienced RICS Surveyors with years of experience in inspecting and reporting on the condition of properties in London and the South East of England.
- Our Building Surveys are written to be specific to the property. We do not use standard phrases that could relate to most properties and which do not give clear advice.
- The inspection and report will be completed by a RICS surveyor.
- 3-5 Working day report turnaround time.
- We will call you after the inspection to update you on the initial findings and can discuss any concerns with you.
- Should you wish to carry out works to the property, we can advise you on how to do this, and prepare architectural drawings for an extension or conversion.
What our RICS Level 3 Home Surveys Cover
All of our RICS Level 3 Home Surveys are undertaken with a high degree of care, with a meticulous inspection that aims to provide you with insight you need to make an informed property purchase.
- Commentary on all parts of the building fabric, including roof, walls, floors and finishes.
- Damp readings and commentary on mould and the risk of mould based on the construction of the property.
- Recommendations on remedial actions required.
- An inspection of the service installations and commentary on any visual issues.
- Advice relating to ongoing maintenance requirements for the property.
- Risks relating to the structure, grounds, and local environment.
- Opinions regarding the regulatory compliance of the property and its visible installations.
We received the report just three days after the survey and were really impressed by how detailed and thorough it was. It included photos showing the issues the surveyor had identified, along with really useful explanations and recommendations.
Alex also called us after the inspection to talk us through the main findings, which was incredibly helpful and gave us a much better understanding of the property before receiving the full report.
We were really impressed with the whole service and would definitely recommend Murrins to anyone buying a property. A special thanks to Alex for doing such a thorough job!
Laurence called me straight after the inspection to flag an important finding and explained it in plain terms, which really helped me understand the situation.
Thanks to his survey, we were able to raise the right enquiries through our solicitor and feel reassured moving forward with our purchase.
I would highly recommend Laurence to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and supportive surveyor.
RICS Home Surveys Compared
There are different types of surveys provided, offering differing levels of detail. The two that we offer are RICS Level 2 Home Surveys, and RICS Level 3 Building Surveys.
The Level 3 Home Survey is the most in-depth report available, however where the property is relatively new and in good condition, a Level 2 Home Survey will likely be more appropriate and cost efficient. The primary differences between the two survey types are illustrated in the table below.
| Service | Level 2 Home Survey | Level 3 Home Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Description of construction and condition of property. | ||
| Aims to identify problems that need urgent attention. | ||
| Aims to identify things that may need further investigation. | ||
| Aims to highlight anything that may be dangerous. | ||
| Aims to show any potential defects before a transaction takes place. | ||
| Makes recommendations on if further advice is required. | ||
| Enables you to budget for any repairs. | ||
| Aims to advise on any ongoing maintenance that may be required. | ||
| Aims to establish how the property was constructed, what materials are used, and how these will perform in the future, | ||
| Aims to describe visible defects and identify potential hidden defects. | ||
| Aims to outline options for repair and gives timelines for repair where appropriate / possible. | ||
| Provides specific comment on energy efficience. | ||
| Where agreed beforehand, and subject to additional fees, provides an estimate of costs for remedial works. |
FAQs – RICS Level 3 Home Surveys
Read some of the most common questions from people looking for a Level 3 Home Survey
The cost of a RICS Level 3 Home Survey depends on several factors. The main ones are:
- The size of the property.
- The condition of the property.
- The age of the property.
- Any specific requirements you may have.
A survey of a modern flat will inevitably cost considerably less than a 6 bedroom detached period property. The main reason being that the time taken to complete the survey will be different.
As a rough estimate, you can expect a fee of between £695 and £1,595+ for the survey.
The time taken to complete a RICS Level 3 Home Survey can vary from a few days, to a couple of weeks.
Factors affecting the time required include the complexity of the property, and the availability for access.
At Murrins Surveyors we always aim to complete the survey within 3-5 working days from the date of the inspection. The only time this may increase is in the case of particularly large or complex properties.
The decision as to whether you proceed with a RICS Level 3 or Level 2 survey will depend on several factors. However, the key deciding question should be this, "Do I believe that there may be defects at the property which may be costly to resolve?". If the answer to this questions is yes, then a Level 3 is the recommended choice. If you believe the property is in overall good condition, then a Level 2 may be a suitable option.
The RICS Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey) will cover all visible parts of the property, and make recommendations where there is evidence to suggest that there are hidden defects. If there are suspected hidden defects, recommendations may be made for further inspections to be carried out, for example, by a structural engineer or damp specialist.
All visible parts, including the roofs, walls, floors, ceilings, and services of the property will be inspected. However, no opening up is carried out, and this is because if the sale did not proceed, there would be damage to the property as a result of the opening up.
The inspection will also look at the condition of boundary walls, fences, permanent outbuildings, and common areas (if there are any).
The majority of services in a building are concealed within the property's construction. However, the surveyor will inspect those parts that are visible and highlight any obvious concerns or defects.
The building survey will not comment on the efficiency or safety of electrical, gas or other energy services, as such assessments can only be carried out by suitably qualified electricians and gas engineers.
In cases where further investigation into the efficiency and safety of services is required, the building survey report may make recommendations for further investigation.
Yes, our RICS Home Surveys are only carried out by RICS surveyors with the designations MRICS, FRICS, or AssocRICS demonstrating they meet the high professional standards set out by RICS. Our surveyors have undertaken hundreds of RICS Level 2 and Level 3 Home Surveys of properties of all kinds across London and the South East of England.
Want to know more about RICS Home Surveys?
The RICS has produced consumer guidance covering the various property survey types. The guidance is written in layman’s terms and helps give consumers an understanding of the details of each survey option.
Book a RICS Level 3 Home Survey
Ready to book your RICS Level 3 Home Survey? Get in touch with our friendly, professional team. We offer free, no-obligation quotations, and provide expert advice on your survey options, so get in touch today.
We work in London, Kent, Surrey, as well as parts of Essex and East Sussex, including in the following areas:
- London (within M25)
- Royal Borough of Greenwich
- London Borough of Wandsworth
- London Borough of Lambeth
- London Borough of Bexley
- London Borough of Croydon
- London Borough of Merton
- Wimbledon
- Kent & Surrey
- Tonbridge & Malling (TN9 - TN12)
- Tunbridge Wells (TN1, TN2, TN3, TN4)
- Edenbridge & Uckfield (TN8, TN22)
- Oxted (RH8)
- Gravesend
- Medway
- and surrounding areas
- Sussex & Essex
- Romford
- Basildon
- Brighton & Hove
- Crawley
- Redhill
- East Grinstead
- and surrounding areas
