
RICS BUILDING SURVEYS
Types of Property Survey
Building Survey for Property Purchase in Manchester
Serious Defect Found in Home
Help to Buy Survey in Manchester
Full Building Survey (Level 3)
A Level 3 Full Building Survey will provide a comprehensive assessment of the structure and condition of the property. The estimated costs of any repairs that are required counts as an additional service.
The detail provided in this type of survey will give you a thorough understanding of what you are buying. Industry guidelines recommend Full Building Surveys if your property is old, run-down, a large or luxury property, or has unusual features. This type of survey is also recommended if you plan to do any significant work to the property.
HomeBuyer Survey (Level 2)
Condition Report Survey (Level 1)
How to Organise a Building Survey
Which House Survey to Choose for Manchester Property
Comparison Guide: Level 3 v Level 2 Surveys
Survey level 3: Full Building Survey
- the most popular choice
- suitable for the majority of properties
- includes all the features of Surveys Level 1 and 2
- inspection by a qualified surveyor
- covers accessible areas (basements, lofts, etc.)
- checks performance of services (gas, electrics, heating and hot water)
- describes construction materials
- examines structural condition
- detailed information on major defects and other damage
- results of tests for damp in the walls and timber
- advice on repairs
- information on the local area and amenities
- conservation area status of the property
Survey level 2: Homebuyer Report
- utilises a pre-set template with a traffic light system
- only visible defects described
- covers readily accessible areas
- only covers significant issues and those that affect value
- repairs and maintenance briefly noted
- valuation included
How are Full Building Surveys and HomeBuyer Surveys done?
Level 3 Building Survey
Roof: the surveyor will enter the roof space, examine what they can see and lift corners of insulation where possible, assessing the insulation itself and the ceiling below. A few objects may be moved to enable a more complete inspection.
Windows: small items and curtains will be moved in an attempt to complete a comprehensive examination including the operability of the windows.
Floors: carpets and other floor coverings may be lifted to look at the floors and their slope checked for any deviations. The under-floor area may be checked with cameras if accessible.
Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey
Roof: the surveyor will inspect the loft space but will not move anything.
Windows: these will not be inspected if heavy curtains and personal items are in the way. Each window will otherwise be checked by opening/closing.
Floors: this will be checked if exposed. The surveyor will not raise carpets or other floor coverings and will not move furniture. Where the normal method of raising hatches, panels or floorboards is not practical, the surveyor will not prise them open for the purpose of inspection.

Surveys of Commercial Property
If you’re thinking of acquiring, leasing, subletting, disposing of, or altering commercial premises in Manchester, you would be well advised to locate a surveyor skilled in the nuances of commercial building surveying – should you spot a defect in a commercial building you can use that information to negotiate an asking price for the property that’s considerably lower than what the seller originally wanted, or you can talk your way out of a bad deal altogether.
Our Manchester-based team of RICS-compliant commercial building surveyors is equipped to handle matters throughout Manchester.
Contact
Our team prioritizes client care above all else. We look forward to being in touch with you so you can instruct a surveyor in Manchester, London, Bristol, Birmingham or Cardiff. You can reach out to us easily. Just fill out our form, and we’ll get back to you with a free quote for your survey. All our surveyors are qualified as members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and we are one of the UK’s leading providers of building survey and valuation services:
- Accredited Professionals: Certified by organizations like RICS, CIOB, and RPSA.
- Customized Survey Reports: inspections to meet your specific requirements.
- Local Expertise: Deep understanding and specialized knowledge.
- Expert Guidance: Professional recommendations and support.
The property survey you commission will be carried out by an accredited professional. Your chartered surveyor will be a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), or will belong to some other industry-standard professional body. Rest assured; you will receive highest quality of professional service for your survey.