Level 2 Survey (HomeBuyer Reports)
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A RICS HomeBuyer Survey (also known as HomeBuyer Report or RICS Level 2 Survey) is recommended for most home buyers, and our HBR quotes will save you money and time. Read the full benefits below.
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Why use trustedsurveyors.org.uk to find a Chartered Building Surveyor?
- Any chartered surveyor is regulated by RICS and are fully insured and have vast experience
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- Quotes from local, independent professionals who can undertake the survey for you will be provided free of charge, with no obligations
- Using us you will save time, energy and most important, money
A HomeBuyer Report is a “Level 2” RICS survey and is considered the most common survey because will suit most of the properties and it is easy for the client to understand any issues due to a jargon-free and standardized structure.
A HomeBuyer Report is a survey to find and document any visible issues within a property that are serious, dangerous or could affect the property value. The chartered surveyor will provide an inspection of areas that are easily accessible. Compared to Building Survey, the structural integrity of the property is not examined in detail, nor are defects that are down to wear and tear.
What is included in RICS HomeBuyer Report?
A Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Home Buyers survey checklist will include:
- a non invasive inspection of easily accessible areas of property, including the loft, walls, floors, ceilings, bathrooms and woodwork;
- an inspection of permanent outdoor buildings and features such as roofing, pipes, gutters, windows and garden;
- an inspection of the visible parts of the heating and drainage systems and any services
- assessment of easily accessible timbers for wet or dry rot, woodworm activity, etc.
- testing for dampness of the walls;
- overview of property maintenance for checked areas and top-line information on environmental hazards;
- background information on the property and location;
- an estimate for the cost of re-building the property for insurance purposes.
- Condition Rating 1 – no repair currently needed;
- Condition Rating 2 – defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered serious or urgent;
- Condition Rating 3 – defects that are urgent or serious and need repairing, replacement or further investigation urgently.
When is a HomeBuyer Survey suitable?
Your home is likely to be one of the most important purchases in your life, and hiring a RICS regulated Chartered Surveyor to conduct a survey before you buy your dreamed new home is a crucial part of this process. You will save time and money if any potential issues are revealed and addressed before is too late.
A RICS Homebuyer Report is ideal if the house or apartments seems to be in a good condition – newer properties, but may not entirely meet current building regulations or are some areas which raise concerns due to the condition, such as damp or subsidence.
The benefits of having a HomeBuyer Survey is that it will give you a peace of mind over the property condition, it can allow for the reopening of negotiations if issues are found or even to budget for any repairs that will needed to be carried out. (ideally after a renegotiation with the seller to reflect the costs of these repairs)
How much does RICS HomeBuyer survey cost?
A HomeBuyer Survey is estimated to start from £350 depending on the property size, value and condition. An RICS HomeBuyers Report will cost more than some other types of survey, but you can save money on the cost by looking around and comparing quotes from different local chartered surveyors.
How long does a HomeBuyers survey take?
Compared to a Building Survey, which in same cases, can take up to several hours, a HomeBuyer Survey will usually take between 90 minutes and 4 hours to complete. Of course, it depends on property size and condition.
What is the difference between a Building Survey and HomeBuyer Report?
The main difference between a RICS HomeBuyer Report and a RICS Building Survey is that the second one is a lot more comprehensive and gives the client a highly detailed review on the condition of the property.
A HomeBuyer Report is generally better for properties that:
- are of a more conventional design and construction
- are built using common materials and erected within last 100 years
- are in a reasonable condition, as far as can be seen
A Building Survey is better for properties that:
- are older and build more than 100 years ago
- have major alterations or extensions
- are more of non-traditional construction
- are larger and offer extensive accommodation
- will be alter in the future
Advice & Help
At Trusted Surveyors, we have plenty of advice and handy tools which we hope are going to help and assist you moving forward.
