How much does a house survey cost?
How much does a house survey cost?
The cost of a house survey depends mainly on the survey level you choose and the value and size of the property. As a rough guide:
- RICS Level 1 (Condition Report) — the cheapest option, suited to modern, standard homes.
- RICS Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report) — mid-range, and the most common choice; a little more with a market valuation added.
- RICS Level 3 (Building Survey) — the most detailed and the most expensive, reflecting the extra time on site and depth of reporting.
Larger and higher-value properties cost more to survey because they take longer to inspect and report on.
What’s included in the fee
A survey quote is normally an all-in fixed fee covering the surveyor’s inspection, their time preparing the report, and VAT. Unlike conveyancing there are no third-party disbursements — you’re paying for the surveyor’s expertise and report.
Comparing fairly
Don’t choose on price alone. Check that the surveyor is RICS-regulated, read their reviews, and make sure the quote is for the level of survey your property actually needs — a cheap Level 1 on a period cottage is a false economy if it misses the defects a Level 3 would have found.
Compare fixed-fee survey quotes from RICS-regulated surveyors near you.