A Level 3 Building Survey, or the RICS Building Survey, offers a very detailed report on the construction and condition of a property. The survey is incredibly thorough, with surveyors investigating the internal and external elements of the property and the easily missed, hard-to-reach parts that you would never check if you were being obstinately honest.
In terms of cost, it’s on the more expensive side compared to other types of home survey offered—but that’s because, unlike many options, this one provides good value for the price of around £700. Survey prices are at the low end of £600 and £2,500 at the high end. Any kind of property can undergo a building survey, but it’s especially important for certain categories:
- Properties more than 80 years old
- Buildings of historic or Listed status
- Structures in poor condition
- Properties of unconventional construction (e.g., PRC)
- Buildings in Conservation Areas
- Altered structures
- Properties without Building Regulation approval
Should you be interested in purchasing a large or costly home, an older structure, a cottage, or a historic property, especially one that requires renovating, we highly endorse having a survey performed. Of the three types of surveys recognized by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, we particularly recommend the Level 3 survey, or Building Survey, because it is the most comprehensive. The following topics are addressed:
- Problems with the overall structure
- Threatening substances
- Moisture invasion
- Unlawful changes
- Other defects and their fixes
The average person can not identify serious problems that may render a property unsafe. The burden of such a responsibility should not fall on your shoulders. A Building Survey costs more than a Level 2 survey but general repairs and cost-prohibitive work picked up will save you more money in the long run.