How much does a building survey cost?

What is the most expensive thing you will ever own? Most likely this will be your house, so it’s worth making sure it’s structurally sound before investing by carrying out a building survey

A building survey will ensure your new
home is structurally sound

Before you spend your hard earned cash on a property make sure you check it’s a sound investment by commissioning a building survey. A building survey can cost from between £500 and £1500 depending on the size and type of house.

What is a building survey?

A building survey is an extensive investigation of the construction of a property to determine its overall condition. The report which is provided consequently includes guidance on maintenance and remedial works. It will also outline defects and will recommend any specialist investigation needed. The scope of the building survey depends on what exactly you want from it along with your budget. Generally speaking, a chartered surveyor would not go into detail about heating, electrics or underground drains and if you want information about those items, you would have to arrange this in addition, as other experts would need to investigate.

You may also require a specialist survey to cover sampling and testing for the presence of damaging materials, such as asbestos. You may also request that a surveyor assesses the buildings compliance under the Disability Discrimination Act.

A measured survey could also be produced to provide you with dimensional information (on land or property) as a preliminary service before the start of building work.

If you are planning on renting the property the survey should take into account the condition of the entire building and not just the part that you will be living in. This is because often the cost of repairs that have to be made in common parts of the building will be split amongst all tenants.

Why do I need a building survey?

Regardless of whether you are buying or renting a property it is a good idea that you have an understanding of its condition and then you can budget for repair costs.

In the renting case, the contract you sign will probably state you must maintain the property and possibly make repairs. Even if the contract doesn’t state this, your landlord will want the property back in the same condition and if any disagreements arise it would be wise to have a survey to back up your case. A schedule of condition attached to the lease at the beginning would be an even better safeguard.

How is a building survey done?

The survey will begin with an inspection of the building. Usually this is done top to bottom externally and then the same internally. You can expect your surveyor to inspect the floors, walls and ceilings; they will be looking for signs of damp, timber decay or settlement. They should also note the state of the gutters and drainpipes. They will check the condition of doors and windows that may need replacing soon. Your surveyor will note not only the present condition of the building, but what is likely to be required in the way of repairs, often with an estimated cost.

What will a building survey report tell me?

• Describe each element of the property; roof, walls, floors etc
• Anything spotted that gave cause for concern with suggestion that further investigation is required

This report is confidential to you (the client and your professional advisers). It will exclude any liability to third parties who use the report without the surveyor’s permission. With regards to a ‘vendor survey’ (a survey for owners planning on selling/renting their property), this report is allowed to be shown to prospective purchasers/renters within a certain time. The time limit is only there to stop purchasers thinking that an out of date report is timely.

How do I plan maintenance works?

The survey will provide you with plenty of information on the property’s future maintenance needs. This takes into account future maintenance and replacement costs and matches them against the estimated life of the building and expenditure. If you specify that you want it, your building surveyor can give you a planned maintenance programme.

If you are renting it is probable that you will need to keep the property well maintained, the lease will specify a timetable for internal and external decoration. Your surveyor should be able to help you prepare a maintenance schedule, which if you stick to may save you extra expense further down the line, and help you budget more efficiently.

How much will a building survey cost?

It depends on the size and type of house, a building survey is typically carried out on older properties (those 75+ years old), it could cost anything from £500 up to £1500.