Why a Structural Survey is important before buying a home
Buying a home is, for most people, the most significant investment they’ll ever make. By far.
That’s why it’s so critical to get it right. Buying a structurally compromised house means you’ll have overpaid for something you can’t easily sell without spending vast amounts of money.
The best way to mitigate this risk? It’s a Structural Survey.
Here’s why they’re so crucial before buying a new house.
What is a Structural Survey?
A Structural Survey is the most detailed RICS home survey you can get. It involves a chartered surveyor inspecting your property (or one you’re thinking of buying), looking for common problems and paying particularly close attention to the structural integrity.
These days, we refer to a Structural Survey as a Home Survey Level 3. RICS updated its guidelines a couple of years ago, simplifying the titles of its main survey options. They’re now listed as follows:
- Level 1 – the most straightforward survey or Valuation.
- Level 2 – a generic home survey checking for common problems. This was formerly the Homebuyer Survey.
- Level 3 – an in-depth focus on the structural elements (foundations, walls, roof, supporting beams, etc.), as well as all the above. The Level 3 used to be called a Building Survey, also known as a Structural Survey.
As is evident, the term Structural Survey is still colloquially in use. We sometimes use it on our site and blogs (like this one). A Home Survey Level 3 is the same – it’s just the modern term.
Why a Structural Survey is critical before purchasing a property
Our chartered surveyors have narrowed this down to three vital reasons.
- Safety– a house is something you’ll spend at least half of your life inside. It simply must be safe, especially if you have a young family or other vulnerable household members. A Structural Survey is the best way to know if the building is secure to live in.
- Stability -is the home durable? The better its current condition, the more likely it is to last for a long time. A stable structure means fewer severe issues in the future. Structural Surveys watch for any early signs of stability issues, such as brickwork cracks, rot or rising damp.
- Value – the safety and stability mentioned above play major roles in a home’s worth. Nobody wants to buy a property that poses a risk to its occupants. Ensuring the building’s in good condition through a Structural Survey is a critical way to avoid overpaying for a home nobody wants to buy from you.
Generally, the average homebuyer should consider a Structural Survey for any historic property. We’d probably recommend one for anything pre-1970.
Barn conversions, high-traffic buildings (like old shops), homes in mining regions, timber frame houses, and any properties that have been renovated, extended, or clearly worked on with DIY will all likely need one.
A Homebuyer Survey (Level 2) would be more appropriate for standard buildings constructed recently.
For advice about which type of home survey is best for the property you’re looking at, why not reach out to us? We’re always delighted to have a friendly and obligation-free chat.
How to get a Structural Survey before moving home
Let’s say you’ve identified needing a RICS Structural Survey (Home Survey Level 3).
Brilliant. What next?
The first thing you’ll want to do is find a surveyor you trust. For this, we strongly recommend a chartered surveyor – a RICS member.
Only RICS-registered surveyors are allowed to use the title ‘chartered surveyor’. It’s a protected term in the UK.
Using one of these individuals guarantees they know what they’re doing and are regulated, insured, and responsible.
Of course, that’s not to say others won’t do a good job. By no means. However, you’ll be entering the unregulated part of the industry and taking a risk on what you’ll get back for your investment.
Read reviews and testimonials about the chartered surveyor, and ask for quotes. You’re not obligated to follow through until you agree to the terms and pay the fee.
The surveyor will handle the rest. They’ll sort the date and time for the inspection, and within two weeks of that, you’ll receive your standardised PDF report.
You’re then welcome to chat with them about their findings and ask your questions. Use this document to decide how to proceed.
How GB Home Surveys can help
A Structural Survey might identify potentially deal-breaker problems, like severe rot in a timber frame home. In these cases, they save you hundreds of thousands of pounds.
In most situations, a Structural Survey uncovers common issues that, while imperative to fix as soon as possible, aren’t enough to make the sale fall through. Examples of these might include localised rot, non-severe subsidence, or roof problems.
When this happens, you should gather quotes from local contractors (or get the chartered surveyor to do it for you – this might cost extra). Return to the seller with a lower offer based on these, or ask them to fix it before you move in.
We’re based in South Wales, Devon, Cornwall, the Cotswolds, Bristol, Bath, Taunton, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Birmingham. If you need a Structural Survey in one of our areas, don’t hesitate to get in touch or use our Quote Calculator.
Drop us a message using the contact form below. We’ll be happy to have a commitment-free chat about your needs.
We look forward to hearing about you and how we can offer a Structural Survey (or something else) to help.
