An RICS Level 2 Home Survey Report, previously known in the industry as a ‘HomeBuyer Report’, is the most popular survey for buyers.
This level of survey provides you with an account of the property’s condition and highlights significant problems with a straightforward ‘traffic light’ rating following a standard visual inspection of the property.
At SDL Surveying, we’ve developed our own market-leading application – Survo – which delivers the detail and analysis of a Level 2 Home Survey in a digital format.
Survo is fully compliant with the RICS Home Survey Standard and every report is completed by an RICS-qualified surveyor.
An interactive digital survey report, featuring an overview screen which groups issues and repairs in priority order. 
Accessible easily via PC, tablet, or mobile – or you can print it to read offline if preferred! 
Photographic evidence with zoom functionality so you can understand what the surveyor has seen. 
Access to a complimentary home retrofit app - Retrogreen - which enables you to cost up energy efficiency improvements.
We’ve created this handy checklist to help you confirm which survey is right for you. If your property meets the following criteria then it sounds like a Level 2 Home Survey would suit your needs, as opposed to the more detailed Level 3 Home Survey.
customers All Survo reports from SDL Surveying now come with three months of complimentary access to Retrogreen – a smart digital service designed to help you plan and manage energy efficiency improvements to your home. Whether you’re focused on lowering energy bills, improving your property’s EPC rating, or installing a heat pump or Solar PV, Retrogreen lets you create a personalised plan that fits your goals and budget.
Once you’ve received your Survo report, simply log in to the app and start building your retrofit plan. You’ll have access to guidance and tools to explore what’s possible and what impact various improvements can have on your home’s performance, comfort, and long-term value.
If you decide to move ahead, Retrogreen offers a complete “With You All The Way” retrofit service in partnership with SDL Surveying. This includes a full home assessment, assistance in contracting with TrustMark-registered installers, project coordination during installation, and a post-works evaluation to ensure quality and compliance standards are met. It’s a seamless way to move from planning to delivery, backed by independent expertise and trusted partners.
| Features | Our digital Level 2 Survo Report | RICS standard Level 2 Report |
|---|---|---|
| Report written by an RICS-qualified surveyor | ✔ | ✔ |
| Option for pre and post appointment phone call from the inspecting surveyor | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clear ‘traffic light’ ratings showing the condition of different parts of the building, services, garage, and outbuildings | ✔ | ✔ |
| Legal matters highlighted for your conveyancer, such as guarantees, planning, and building control issues | ✔ | ✔ |
| Report received via email with ability to save and print PDF report | ✔ | ✔ |
| Digitally interactive report. Repairs and issues grouped by priority and urgency on one overview page, enabling you to click through easily to specific property areas. | ✔ | |
| Mailable weblink making it simple to send your report onto tradespeople for repair quotes or your conveyancer for legal issues | ✔ | |
| Ability to enlarge photographs to view defects in detail | ✔ | |
| Retrogreen – three months’ complimentary access to a market-leading home retrofit app enabling you to model, plan, and cost-up home energy improvements. | ✔ |
How much does a Level 2 Home Survey cost?
Get in touch for a free, no strings attached, quote on your home survey and our team will help you schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Buying a property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make, and with so many costs involved a home survey may seem like an unnecessary additional expense. However, foregoing a professional survey could result in unforeseen issues and substantial repair costs.
Beyond offering peace of mind, a survey can also be a valuable negotiation tool; if issues are uncovered, it can serve as a basis for renegotiating the purchase price to reflect the cost of any necessary repairs.
A mortgage valuation is not detailed enough to inform you about the condition of the property you are purchasing.
We recommend that you should always commission your own independent home survey. A survey will help you to understand the property’s condition and budget for any needed repair work.
Call us today on 0345 308 5010 to discuss your survey options, or contact us using the form below:
When reviewing your mortgage application, your lender may enlist the specialist advice of a RICS Valuer to help them decide how to fund the property you are buying, or remortgaging. At SDL Surveying, we are instructed to provide valuations for a range of national lending organisations.