RICS Chartered Building Surveyors in Bexley - Get a quote today

RICS Chartered Surveyors providing expert RICS Level 3 Building Surveys for residential properties in Bexley and the surrounding areas.

Quick Enquiry

Complete the form below and we will be in touch to discuss your enquiry shortly.

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.
Our objective is to make you aware of the property's condition, not to put you off from buying it.
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.

When buying a property, a RICS Level 3 Building Survey gives you valuable insight into the property’s condition, providing:

A thorough inspection of the property.
A detailed report based on the inspection.

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 Homebuyer Reports, and RICS Level 3 Building Surveys.

The Level 3 Building Survey is the most in-depth report available, however where the property is relatively new and in good condition, a Level 2 Homebuyer Report 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 Homebuyer Report	Level 3 Building Survey
Description of construction and condition of property.
Aims to identify problems that need urgent attention.
Aims to identify things that may need furthger 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.

Property Surveys FAQs

Below are answers to some of the questions we are most commonly asked about RICS Building Surveys.

What does a RICS Building Survey cover?

The RICS Building Survey (Level 3 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).

How much does a RICS Building Survey cost?

The cost a RICS Building Survey will depend on several factors, including the size and nature of the property, the condition of the property, and if any additional services such as budget costings or valuations are to be included.

Typically, costs range from around £875 – £2,000 based on the factors stated above.

We offer a fixed-fee quotation on all building surveys, and so if you would like a no-obligation quote, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Does a RICS Building Survey cover services?

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.

Should I get a RICS Building Survey or RICS Homebuyer Survey?

The decision on whether to get a RICS Building Survey (Level 3 Survey) or a RICS Homebuyer Survey (Level 2 Survey), is usually based upon the property’s age and condition.

A RICS Building Survey is most appropriate where:

The property is older than 40 years.
Is likely to have defects.
Has been adapted or converted.
Or is of non-traditional construction.

A RICS Homebuyer Survey (Level 3 Survey) is most appropriate for properties which:

Are relatively new.
Are in good condition and not expected to have any defects.
Are of traditional construction, i.e. brick walls and timber framed roofs.
Have not been adapted.

If you are unsure which type of RICS property survey is most appropriate for you, please contact us, and we will be happy to make a professional recommendation.

How long does a RICS Building Survey take?

A RICS Building Survey typically takes around 4 hours to complete the inspection, after which the report will then be prepared.

The length of the inspection will depend on the size and complexity of the building, as well as how many issues are found.

Will the surveyor be RICS qualified?

Our Building Surveys are only carried out by fully qualified RICS surveyors who have undertaken dozens, if not hundreds, of Building Surveys of properties of all kinds across London and the South East of England.

Want to know more about RICS Property 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.