Charles Francis & Associates Surveying
Home
About Us
Services
  • About Home Surveys
  • RICS Home Survey Level 1
  • RICS Home Survey Level 2
  • RICS Home Survey Level 3
  • Residential Valuations
  • Expert Witness
Get a Quote
Blog
Contact Us
Charles Francis & Associates Surveying
Home
About Us
Services
  • About Home Surveys
  • RICS Home Survey Level 1
  • RICS Home Survey Level 2
  • RICS Home Survey Level 3
  • Residential Valuations
  • Expert Witness
Get a Quote
Blog
Contact Us
More
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • About Home Surveys
    • RICS Home Survey Level 1
    • RICS Home Survey Level 2
    • RICS Home Survey Level 3
    • Residential Valuations
    • Expert Witness
  • Get a Quote
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • About Home Surveys
    • RICS Home Survey Level 1
    • RICS Home Survey Level 2
    • RICS Home Survey Level 3
    • Residential Valuations
    • Expert Witness
  • Get a Quote
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

RICS Home Surveys

If you're buying a house or a flat in the UK, a home survey, or building survey, is highly recommended before you buy the property.


A home survey provides an expert account of the property’s condition, and highlights any problems in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Your home is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you make, so you need to know as much as you can about the property before you buy it, live in it and perhaps sell it.

Why pay for a home survey?

 A mortgage valuation is not a survey and is for the lender’s purposes only. A valuation report won’t point out structural problems that you may have to pay to fix further down the line. Home surveys go into detail about the condition of a property, list its defects and tell you how to fix them. The level of detail is dependent on the type of property survey that you choose.  

Valuations for Lenders

Valuations for Lenders

Valuations for Lenders

When you apply for a mortgage, your lender may ask for the expert advice of an RICS Valuer to help them decide whether the property you are buying is worth the money they are lending to you.


At Charles Francis & Associates Surveying, we inspect properties on behalf of a range of national lending organisations for this purpose.

Surveys for Buyers

Valuations for Lenders

Valuations for Lenders

A mortgage valuation is not detailed enough to inform you about the condition of the property you are purchasing. We recommend that you should always commission your own independent home survey.


A survey will help you to understand the property’s state of repair and budget for any needed repair work.

What are the different home survey types?

Different homes require different types of survey. The information below summarises the common survey levels for each property type. Our friendly team are happy to discuss your requirements and answer any questions to help you to choose the right survey for the home you are purchasing.

Photo of a new build house you would typically request an RICS Home Survey Level 1 report on.

RICS Home Survey Level 1

RICS Home Survey Level 1

RICS Home Survey Level 1

Previously called a ‘Condition Report’, this is typically the lowest-priced survey and is aimed at conventional properties and newer homes.


It will note defects in the property but will generally not provide advice on how to manage those defects.

Learn More
Photo of a an 1920s house you would typically request an RICS Home Survey Level 2 report on.

RICS Home Survey Level 2

RICS Home Survey Level 1

RICS Home Survey Level 1

Previously called a ‘Homebuyer Report’, is a detailed visual inspection of the property suitable for conventional properties that are in reasonable condition, built from common building materials and that do not have multiple alterations or extensions.


Learn More
Photo of an old or altered house you would typically request an RICS Home Survey Level 3 report on.

RICS Home Survey Level 3

RICS Home Survey Level 1

RICS Home Survey Level 3

Previously called an ‘RICS Building Survey’, this is the most in-depth report available, providing an extensive analysis of the property’s condition. Suitable for large, older or run-down properties, buildings that are unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works.


Learn More

Home survey comparison guide

The below table gives an overview of what's included in each survey level. If you're not sure which survey is right for the property you are purchasing, contact us and we will be happy to help.

Regulated by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo
  • Regulated by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo
  • Regulated by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo
  • Regulated by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo
  • About Us
  • RICS Home Survey Level 1
  • RICS Home Survey Level 2
  • RICS Home Survey Level 3
  • Residential Valuations
  • Expert Witness
  • Get a Quote
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Locations

Charles Francis & Associates Surveying

90 Watery Lane, Preston, PR2 1AU

01772 356 260

Copyright © 2025 Charles Francis & Associates Surveying LTD - All Rights Reserved.

Charles Francis & Associates Surveying LTD is a company registered in England & Wales. Company number 14108656

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyse website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. 


For information about the data we collect through our website and how it is used, please read our Privacy Policy.

DeclineAccept