RICS Level 2 Survey
Buying a home is likely to be the biggest purchase you ever make. A RICS Level 2 Home Survey gives you a clear, independent picture of the property's condition before you commit, so you can buy with confidence, negotiate from an informed position, or walk away if you need to.
Your mortgage lender's valuation is carried out for the lender's benefit, not yours. It confirms that the property is suitable security for the loan and does not look at its condition in any detail. A Level 2 survey is carried out for you.
What is a RICS Level 2 Home Survey?
The RICS Level 2 Home Survey was previously known as the HomeBuyer Report. It is the most popular survey for conventional houses, bungalows and flats that are built from common materials and appear to be in reasonable condition.
The survey is carried out to the RICS Home Survey Standard, which sets the benchmark for residential surveys across the UK.
What's included
- A visual inspection inside and out. This covers the roof, chimneys, walls, windows, doors, floors, ceilings, outbuildings and grounds, including the roof space where it is safe and accessible.
- Traffic-light condition ratings. Each part of the property receives a rating of 1 (green), 2 (amber) or 3 (red), so you can see at a glance what needs attention and how urgently.
- Defects identified. The report flags visible problems such as damp, movement, timber decay, and roof or drainage issues.
- Services commentary. Electrics, heating, water and drainage are assessed visually, with recommendations for specialist testing where needed.
- Legal matters for your conveyancer. These include planning, building regulations, guarantees and warranties to check.
- Risks to the building, grounds and people. These are summarised clearly in one place.
- Optional valuation. A market valuation and a reinstatement cost for insurance purposes can be included within the same report.
Is a Level 2 survey right for me?
A Level 2 survey is usually the right choice if the property:
- is of conventional construction (for example, brick and tile)
- is in reasonable condition
- has not been heavily extended or altered
If the property is older, larger, unusual, run-down, or you're planning major works, a RICS Level 3 Survey may be more suitable. I'm always happy to talk it through before you book.
Why choose Dowdall Surveying?
- Independent. I work for you, not the estate agent or the lender.
- Local. Based in Mansfield, covering all of Nottinghamshire, including Sutton-in-Ashfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham, West Bridgford, Beeston, Newark, Southwell, Worksop and Retford.
- Qualified. I'm an AssocRICS surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer working to RICS standards, and I hold 5-star customer reviews.
- Personal. You deal with me from quote to report, and I'm always available to discuss the findings afterwards.
How much does a Level 2 survey cost?
Prices start from £450, but every property is different, so I quote case by case based on type, size, age, construction, location and purchase price. Request a quote and I'll come back with a tailored quote, usually within the hour.
Frequently asked questions
For most buyers, yes. The cost is small compared with the price of a home, and the report can uncover defects that would be expensive to put right. Many buyers recover the cost of the survey, or more, through renegotiation.
Yes. We check for signs of damp throughout the property. We focus on the causes of the dampness and provide advice on how to eliminate them. We prefer not to recommend 'damp-proofing' works wherever possible, as they often simply mask the problem.
The services are inspected visually. That includes the consumer unit, visible wiring, the boiler, heating and plumbing. They are not tested. Where there are concerns or no recent test certificates, I'll recommend an inspection by a qualified electrician or Gas Safe engineer.
It can. You can choose a Level 2 survey with a market valuation and/or an insurance reinstatement figure, but this does incur an extra cost.
No-obligation survey and valuation quotes
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