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

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RICS Homebuyer Report - Traffic Light System VS RICS 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.

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 SurveyHomescore ReportRICS Homebuyer ReportRICS 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.

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Chetwynd Business Park, 3 – 4 Regan Way, Nottingham

4.3 764 reviews

  • Avatar Michael Carney ★★★★★ in the last week
    I thought the service provided by Richard from SDL Surveying was fantastic. Gave … read more me a call the day of the survey to talk through his findings. Then once I had received the report, kindly talked me through the final report and answered my many questions. In what can sometimes be a painful experience, Richard made things super simple.
  • Avatar Fiona Green ★★★★★ 2 months ago
    A very efficient and Covid secure company. Great communication and time keeping. … read more Th am you so very much
  • Avatar Nicola Francis ★★★★☆ 3 months ago
    Very professional, courteous and followed the Covid protocol that had been sent to … read more us prior to the appointment. Only reason for dropping a star was that the surveyor arrived 15 minutes later than the two hour window. Understand that these things happen but would have appreciated a call.