What is the difference between a Homebuyers Report and Building Survey

The main difference between a HomeBuyer Report & Building Survey is that a RICS Building Survey is significantly more comprehensive. A Building Survey involves: Inspecting the roof space, grounds, floors & services, Establishing how the property is built, the materials used & how these will fare as the property ages over time & Suggesting the repair options of any faults & explaining the consequences of not acting on them.

What Is The Difference Between a Homebuyers Report and a Building Survey?

16.12.2019

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The main difference between a HomeBuyer Report & Building Survey is that a RICS Building Survey is significantly more comprehensive. A Building Survey involves:

Inspecting the roof space, grounds, floors & services
Establishing how the property is built, the materials used & how these will fare as the property ages over time
Suggesting the repair options of any faults & explaining the consequences of not acting on them.

Comparing the Different Types of Home Survey

Our home surveys comparison table explains the main differences between Homescore Reports, RICS Homebuyer Reports & RICS Building Surveys:

Feature of Your Home Survey	Homescore Report	RICS Homebuyer Report	RICS Building Survey
*Cost*:	£	££	£££
Report completed by an RICS qualified surveyor	✔	✔	✔
Describes the condition of the property on the date of the inspection	✔	✔	✔
Aims to show up potential issues and defects, before any transaction takes place	✔	✔	✔
Aims to identify any problems that need urgent attention	✔	✔	✔
Aims to identify things that need to be investigated further to prevent serious damage	✔	✔	✔
Includes the standard visual inspection during which secured panels, electrical fittings etc. are not removed	✔	✔	✔
An enhanced service that includes a more extensive roof space inspection and comments on underground drainage	-	✔	✔
Aims to identify any repair or restoration work which can be factored into price negotiations	-	✔	✔
Provides a market valuation	-	✔	-
Provides a reinstatement cost for insurance purposes	-	✔	-
Report delivered to you electronically within 24 hours of the inspection	✔	-	-
Simple score ratings with no complicated language	✔	-	-
A comprehensive visual inspection which includes a more thorough consideration of the roof space, grounds, floors and services	-	-	✔
Aims to establish how the property is built, what materials are used and how these will perform in the future	-	-	✔
Aims to outline the repair options, whilst explaining the consequences of not acting	-	-	✔

If you’d like a print friendly version of our home survey comparison guide, you can download your very own copy to take away:

Download Our Home Surveys Comparison Guide

Which Property Survey Do I Need?

VIDEO: Which Type of Home Survey Is Right For Me?

If you still need a helping hand to decide which home survey would be best for you, watch our helpful summary video:

Want to learn more about a specific type of home survey? Our individual product pages go into more detail on the individual types of property surveys that SDL Surveying provide:

Book Your Home Survey:

Know which property survey you need? Book yours with SDL Surveying today:

Get a FREE Quote for your House Survey

Still undecided on which home survey to choose? Get in touch with our expert team for some impartial advice.

If you’d like a print friendly version of our home survey comparison guide, you can download your very own copy to take away:

Which Property Survey Do I Need?

Want to learn more about a specific type of home survey? Our individual product pages go into more detail on the individual types of property surveys that SDL Surveying provide:

Book Your Home Survey:

Still undecided on which home survey to choose? Get in touch with our expert team for some impartial advice.

SDL Surveying

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3.9 289 reviews

Asher Burrell ★★★★★ 2 months ago
My mortgage broker suggested them as as previous customer of his had used them. On … read more day one had a great chat and very simple to determine which level of survey to take. They then did everything - contacted my seller’s solicitor, organized the time and day of survey, all done within a week. Most impressed that I forgot to confirm the terms and conditions and they kindly called to remind me to read a review so I could send report to me. Did so and report was with me 2 hours after that. I had a great experience as a buyer looking for a hassle free homebuyer report!
Ricky Russell ★★★★★ 2 months ago
I was pleased and impressed with the gentleman who did our survey. He came recommended … read more by our agent, and I was pleased to be able to reach him easily as he always responded promptly to messages. He completed our homebuyers survey efficiently, sending us our report the very same day. Best of all, I'd emailed some specific things we wanted looking into, and he addressed every single one of these diligently, giving me a call straight after the survey to talk me through them. Many thanks!
David Slaviero ★★★★★ a week ago
The surveyor that visited my property recently was fantastic. He called me to let … read more me know his ETA and turned up on time. He was very professional, friendly and explained a few things I wasn’t aware of. I do not know his name but please let him know that I was very impressed with his service.

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What Is The Difference Between a Homebuyers Report and a Building Survey?

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Which Property Survey Do I Need?

Book Your Home Survey:

Get a FREE Quote for your House Survey

Which Property Survey Do I Need?

Book Your Home Survey:

Get a FREE Quote for your House Survey

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