What is included in this type of survey?

This survey provides an assessment of the key building elements as well as a review of, timber/damp issues, drainage, insulation, subsidence, visual inspection of all major indoor features including ceilings, roof, walls, and bathrooms, visual inspection of the roof, pipes, gutters, outdoor walls, windows, and door, as well as checking garden areas for invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed. The focus of the report is on serious or urgent problems that could need specialist attention, costly repairs and those which might affect the property’s value.

We appreciate there are some confusing terms bandied around, such as ‘Full Building Survey’, ‘Structural Survey’, ‘Homebuyers Survey’, ‘Level 1, 2, and 3 RICS Surveys’ ‘Condition Report’, and it’s not always easy to know which one is most suitable for you. Contact us, and we can talk you through it, and ensure you obtain the right survey for the age and type of property.

Why choose us?

Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been a growth of corporate entities saturating the market with cheap fees and generic reports. At Brecon & Dean, we advocate for a different approach. We are of the firm belief that to deliver value to our clients, a departure from this 'stack them high, sell them cheap' mentality is required. We are committed to producing bespoke, client-centric reports that directly address their specific needs.

When can I speak to the surveyor and what are your turnaround times? 

We use the RICS L2 Survey as our starting point to provide you with an in-depth residential property survey to furnish you with the information and insight you need to make an informed decision on your property purchase. 

We promise that your property will be the only property we see that day, giving us the time to carry out a thorough inspection and provide immediate verbal feedback. We are also proud not to offer 24hr turnaround times; instead, we take the time (usually 3 – 5 working days) to provide you with a detailed, tailored report. Of course, if a fast turnaround is required we can prioritise your report as needed.

We appreciate that purchasers, once they have found a property, are often under pressure to make a quick decision with regards to the purchase. Our verbal feedback is often enough to give you confidence to proceed, but we always recommend reading and digesting the written report and sending it to you legal adviser prior to completion. 

Does the survey include a valuation and reinstatement costs?

A valuation can be added to the survey at a small extra cost and will also include the reinstatement cost of the property for insurance purposes. 

How the process works

Contact us via telephone or email, or use our online form, for a quote. All we need is the property address and your contact details. 

If you would like to proceed then we send out our terms to be signed. At this point you also have the chance to mention any specific concerns about the property, or anything you may like us to pay particular attention to, such as cracking to walls, or possible future extension/conversion plans. 

We then liaise directly with the estate agent or vendor to arrange the earliest time for an inspection and provide you with a date.

Once the inspection has been carried out, which for most properties takes around 3 to 4 hours, we will call you the same day to give you verbal feedback and answer any questions. This usually takes around 30 – 40 minutes. 

We then write up the report and send it to you in PDF format for speed and convenience, (bound copies can be made on request) which you can then read, before forwarding to your conveyancer.

We are of course available after this to answer any further questions or discuss specific elements highlighted in the report. 

How much will it cost?

A Level 2 Home Survey, costs around £600 (including VAT) - however you may pay between £500 and £1,000. The cost will vary depending on the value of the property, and age and type. A valuation and reinstatement cost alongside the survey report will usually cost a further £60 - £80 (including VAT).