RICS Level 2 Home Survey in Surrey
The RICS Home Survey Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report) is the right choice for conventional homes in reasonable condition built within the last 50 years. Clear traffic-light condition ratings, plain-English commentary and practical next steps - written by a Chartered Surveyor.
- MRICS CharteredDirector-led throughout.
- RICS-regulatedFirm regulation #897221.
- RPSA memberResidential Property Surveyors Association.
- 15+ years' experiencePeriod, altered and defective property.
- £500k PI coverUnderwritten by Hiscox.
Is this the right report for you?
- Modern and post-war homes (1950s onwards) in apparently reasonable condition.
- Conventional construction - brick, block, standard cavity walls, pitched roof.
- Buyers who want a structured, reliable view of condition without the full depth of a Level 3.
- Properties without obvious extensions, major alterations or significant defect concerns.
Every report covers, as a minimum:
- Full visual inspection of all accessible areas
- Traffic-light condition ratings (1, 2, 3)
- Roof, walls, windows and external joinery
- Internal finishes, ceilings, floors and joinery
- Services overview (gas, electric, plumbing, drainage)
- Damp and timber observations
- Insulation and energy efficiency notes
- Risks to people and property
- Issues to raise with your legal advisor
Chartered Surveyor with more than fifteen years' experience of residential and commercial property across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and South West London. RICS-regulated firm no. 897221.
From quote to report - how it works.
Same-day quote
Send the address and any concerns. We confirm a fixed fee and the earliest available inspection date.
On-site inspection
A thorough non-invasive visual inspection, typically 2-3 hours on site for a standard home.
Report in 2-3 working days
Clear, photo-illustrated PDF report. Follow-up call included to talk through anything that needs clarifying.
Frequently asked
- What's the difference between a Level 2 and Level 3 survey?
- Level 2 is a structured visual inspection with condition ratings, suitable for modern conventional homes. Level 3 is a more detailed report including the likely cause, implications and remedy of any defects - recommended for older, larger, listed or altered properties.
- Is a Level 2 survey enough for a Victorian property?
- Usually no. Victorian and Edwardian properties - and most pre-1930 homes - typically warrant a Level 3 Building Survey due to solid wall construction, lath-and-plaster, and the cumulative effects of age. We'll always recommend the lower level where it's genuinely appropriate.
- How long does a Level 2 survey take on site?
- For a standard three-bed house, typically 2-3 hours. Larger properties or those with significant outbuildings can take longer.
- Do you provide a valuation with the report?
- An optional market valuation can be added to the Level 2 report. If a formal Red Book valuation is required, we provide that as a separate Red Book-compliant report.
How a Level 2 compares to a Level 3 Building Survey
Most buyers choose between the Level 2 and the more detailed Level 3 Building Survey. Here's the short version - when each is the right call.
A Level 2 Home Survey is usually right when:
- The property was built within the last 50 years
- Construction is conventional - brick cavity walls, pitched tiled roof, modern services
- There are no visible defects, no obvious damp, and no signs of movement
- The home hasn't been significantly extended, converted or altered
- You want a structured RICS report with traffic-light condition ratings, without paying for the full depth of a Level 3
A Level 3 Building Survey is the better choice when:
- The property is pre-1930, listed, or in a conservation area
- The home has been extended, converted, or substantially altered
- There are visible defects - cracking, damp staining, roof concerns
- You plan to renovate, extend or modify after purchase
- Construction is unusual (timber frame, thatch, system-built)
| RICS Level 2 Home Survey | RICS Level 3 Building Survey | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Conventional homes ~50 years old or newer | Older, altered, listed or defective homes |
| Defect analysis | Brief commentary | Cause, implication and remedy of every defect |
| Time on site | 2-3 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Typical length | 40-70 pages | 80-150 pages |
| Fees from | £400 incl. VAT | £600 incl. VAT |
For the full side-by-side comparison - including damp readings, roof voids, renovation advice and other points of difference - see our Which survey do I need? guide →
What our clients say
"Very grateful to Oliver for his advice with a stressful business rates dispute involving my father. His guidance helped us achieve an excellent outcome. Highly recommended."
"Oliver made a very thorough inspection of the flat we aim to purchase and gave us a very in-depth report that pointed to issues that we didn't know. It was a pleasure to deal with him and we highly recommend him."
"My partner and I recently used Oliver for a L3 survey and he was brilliant. The level of detail in the report was excellent, and easy to understand. Oliver was really easy to communicate with, and we found the price to be very reasonable. I'd have no hesitation using Oliver again in the future, and highly recommend him to anyone looking to get a survey done."
You may also need
RICS Level 3 Building Survey
Deeper analysis for older, altered or visibly defective property - cause, implication and remedy.
Red Book Valuation
Independent market valuation for probate, matrimonial, Help to Buy and tax purposes.
Which survey do I need?
Side-by-side comparison of every RICS survey level to help you decide.
Discuss your property with a Chartered Surveyor.
A short, no-obligation conversation is usually enough for us to recommend the right level of report and provide a fixed-fee quote.