After your offer has been accepted when buying a house, it's important to hire a surveyor to conduct the correct property survey for your needs.
The best way to find a surveyor is by using a comparison website to compare RICS surveyor quotes and check availability in your area. Choosing a RICS-regulated surveyor will ensure you receive a high standard of service and an fair price for your house survey.
In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about finding a surveyor when buying a house, from where to find them to why you need one.
How to Find a Surveyor
The first step to choosing the best RICS surveyor is knowing where to look. Here are our three best ways to find a professional who meets your needs:
Use Comparison Sites For Quotes & Reviews
Get multiple options quickly and compare them side-by-side:
- Read customer reviews and look for 4+ star ratings with 50+ reviews.
- Check qualifications to ensure they're RICS or RPSA regulated.
- Compare pricing to find a quote that fits your budget
Ask Friends, Family or Local Groups for Recommendations
People who have recently purchased a home can often provide the most helpful advice and recommendations, based on their personal experience.
- Ask recent home buyers such as friends, family, or neighbours who bought within the last 2 years.
- Check local Facebook groups as they often provide honest and unbiased recommendations.
- Your mortgage broker will typically have a list of trusted surveyors they work with.
- Estate agents know which surveyors are reliable and quick, but can be biased.
Search Official Regulatory Websites
You can find qualified professionals through industry bodies:
- The RICS website has a search tool for chartered surveyors in your area.
- The RPSA is an alternative regulatory body with qualified members.
However, the downside of these websites is that they don't display customer reviews, pricing, or estimated timelines.
Prices are based on our cost data, received directly from user feedback.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Surveyor
With your top 3 shortlist ready, here's how to decide which surveyor to hire:
Compare Their Experience With Similar Properties
While a newly qualified surveyor can still do a good job, those with a long or broader range of experience are generally better for an older property.
You can find details about a surveyor’s experience on their website, or by getting in touch directly to ask about their background and the types of properties they’ve worked with.
Understand Their Pricing Model (and Hidden Costs)
It's essential to ask surveyors about pricing to compare house survey companies and get a clear understanding of expected costs and prevent any hidden fees.
Each surveyor operates differently; some offer fixed-fee services, meaning their prices won't change, while others charge on a case-by-case basis.
If your home is more complex or the report takes longer to complete, final costs can increase. Always ask for a written quote, including VAT and additional fees, as some may exclude VAT.
Ask About Their Local Area Knowledge & Turnaround Times
A surveyor who knows your local area well will likely have a better understanding of common property issues, such as damp in older terraces.
This means they’re more likely to spot less obvious problems early, helping you avoid costly repairs later.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Surveyor
When you're speaking to potential surveyors, use this list of house buyer survey questions to check they can handle your specific needs and narrow down your list to a top 3:
- What types of surveys do you offer, and which do you recommend for my property?
- Are you regulated by RICS or RPSA?
- How much experience do you have with similar properties?
- What’s included in the quote, and are there any potential extra costs?
- How quickly can you carry out the survey and deliver the report?
- Can I see a sample survey report before committing?
Asking these questions now can help you avoid any disappointment further down the line. Read more on our guide on Is My Surveyor Qualified?
When to Book Your Property Survey
We recommend hiring a surveyor as soon as your offer has been accepted. This allows you enough time to look over your survey results and discuss the next steps with your surveyor and conveyancer.
The sooner your survey is organised and completed, the better, as this allows an opportunity for potential renegotiation before the exchange of contracts. This will help prevent delays in your conveyancing process.
You may also need to use a solicitor if you experience problems with a party wall or if you need a specialist survey carried out.
What to Expect After Your Survey is Booked
Your surveyor will arrange a time and date to inspect the property. After the survey is done, they will assess the results and create a report of their findings, which you should receive within 3-7 working days.
| Day | Stage | What happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Offer accepted | You choose and book a surveyor | Compare quotes, confirm access with estate agent |
| Days 1–5 | Survey scheduled | Surveyor arranges a date and inspects the property | Optional: attend the inspection and take notes |
| Days 5–10 | Report written | Surveyor compiles findings into a written report | Wait for the report and prep any follow-up questions |
| Days 10–12 | Report received | You get the survey report (usually by email) | Review for red flags, share with your conveyancer |
| Days 12–14 | Next steps | You decide how to respond to the findings | Renegotiate, book specialist checks, or proceed with the sale |
The earlier you book your survey, the more time you’ll have to review and act on the results before you exchange contracts.
If you have opted for a Level 2 or 3 Home Survey, your surveyor will discuss any issues or concerns found.
If no major issues or concerns are found, you'll be able to continue with the sale. However, if red flags are raised during your survey, you may want to:
- Request that the seller make minor improvements or repairs to the property.
- Arrange an additional survey(s) (e.g. damp or asbestos) for further inspection.
- Renegotiate your house price.
- Pull out of the sale entirely if you aren't happy to fix the issues raised.
Do You Really Need a Surveyor When Buying a House?
A RICS surveyor helps you uncover hidden issues with the property before you commit. This could save you thousands, or even help you avoid a bad purchase.
Your surveyor will inspect the building inside and out to check for problems like:
- Damp, mould and subsidence
- Structural defects
- Poor workmanship or unfinished areas (for new builds)
With this report in hand, you can:
- Renegotiate the price to reflect repair costs
- Ask the seller to fix issues
- Pull out of the sale before it’s too late
It’s not a legal requirement, but skipping a survey is one of the most expensive mistakes buyers make.
Types of RICS Surveys
There are several surveys to consider depending on the property type and price point:
| Survey Type | Suitable For | Survey Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Snagging Survey | New Build Homes | Poor workmanship, unfinished fittings |
| RICS Level 1 | Homes under 5 years old | Visible issues, basic report |
| RICS Level 2 | Homes under 50 years old in good condition | Visible defects, repair advice |
| RICS Level 3 | Complex or older homes in a poorer condition | Structural issues, maintenance advice, repair costs |
For the majority of homes, you should opt for either a RICS Level 2 Home Survey or a RICS Level 3 Home Survey, as these provide the most comprehensive detail and provide advice on any flagged defects or issues.
If you're buying a new build home then a qualified surveyor should perform a snagging survey before you move into the property.
If you’re unsure which survey you need for your property, this guide goes into detail on each survey type and which one you'll need.
Find a Surveyor with Compare My Move
One of the best ways to find an RICS-regulated surveyor is by comparing companies with us. We can match you with up to 5 trusted and verified surveyors in your area. This way, you can discuss the property you are looking to buy and find out which survey is best suited. Comparing companies also allows you to find the best price for your survey.
Rest assured, each partner has passed our strict verification process and must be a member of RICS before joining our network. Simply fill out our surveying comparison form to compare quotes and save money today.
FAQs
How long does a survey take?
Your surveyor will be in your home for around 1-8 hours, depending on the type of survey and size of the property.
When should I book a survey?
Booking your survey once your offer is accepted will help streamline your property purchase.
How much do they cost?
Home Surveys cost between £380 and £629 and depend on your survey type, location, and property price.
Do I need a valuation?
While a Valuation Survey is not a legal requirement, we recommend having one carried out to provide you with peace of mind that you are paying the correct amount.
Valuation Surveys and Mortgage Valuations have fundamental differences. A Valuation Survey checks the value of the home for the buyer. A Mortgage Valuation is requested by the mortgage lender to ensure they are lending the correct amount.
If the property is valued at less than your agreed offer, your mortgage lender will likely refuse to cover additional costs. As the buyer, you would need to make up the shortfall or renegotiate the price.
A buyer must pay for the Mortgage Valuation, but the lender will organise it. With Valuation Surveys, you must organise and pay for this.
