RICS Building Surveys In London

A RICS Building Survey is the most detailed of our property surveys. It is sometimes referred to as a Level Three survey. The Building Survey gives you a thorough assessment of the structure, condition and construction of a property, as well as technical advice on any repairs needed.

London houses and flats needed building survey

Is a RICS Building Survey Right For Me?

We recommend the RICS building survey if:

  • The property is in poor condition, or
  • It is more than 100 years old, or
  • It has been built using unconventional methods or materials, or
  • It has already been significantly altered or extended, or
  • You want to make major alterations to the property

If you aren’t sure if the RICS Building Survey is right for you, visit our RICS Property Survey Comparison here.

Why Do I Need A RICS Building Survey?

Buying a property is a stressful process, but buying a property whose condition you aren’t fully aware of can have dramatic consequences down the line.

The RICS Building Survey is ideal for peace of mind on any property, especially a property that needs a lot of work or one that you want to make major alterations to. The RICS Building Survey provides the detailed assessment and technical advice you need to aid your buying decision.

A number of standard-setting and consumer organisations (including Which? and The Council of Mortgage Lenders) recommend getting an independent home survey before committing to purchasing a property.

What Does A RICS Building Survey Contain?

A RICS Building Survey is a detailed assessment of the structure and the construction methods used in a property. Beginning with a visual inspection and delving deeper into any potential issues, the RICS Building Survey Report will identify any serious defects or problems with the property, and gives you technical advice on how these problems should be solved.

The Survey also advises on future maintenance issues, so that you can plan ahead, and highlights any potential legal issues that you might want your solicitor to investigate.

After discussions with you, one of our Chartered Surveyors will inspect the property and compile a RICS Building Survey Report. This Report is tailored to your specific requirements and follows best practice guidelines from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. A Sample Report is available here.

You can also add a market valuation, for a small additional fee. This is an accurate idea of the market value of a property based on the survey’s findings. This valuation also includes a reinstatement cost assessment, the estimated cost of rebuilding a property in the event of the total loss or substantial damage to a property that requires demolition and rebuilding. 

How Much Does A RICS Building Survey Cost?

The RICS Building Survey starts from £1,250 + VAT. The final cost depends largely on the size of the property and its condition.

How Long Does A RICS Building Survey Take?

After a full inspection of your property by one of our Chartered Surveyors, our RICS Building Survey Report is usually available for your consideration within a week of the inspection.

Why Choose Barnes & Barnes For Your RICS Building Survey?

At Barnes & Barnes, we pride ourselves on providing a professional and impartial service. We’re committed to giving you clear, impartial and expert advice on all things property surveys, valuations and party wall services.

Before a RICS Building Survey inspection, our team will ask if you have any particular concerns about the property, and afterwards we’ll be on hand to answer any questions you have about the final Report.

At every stage, you’ll be liaising with a dedicated, friendly and efficient team of professionals who understand the pressures of buying a home. Our aim throughout is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your new home, and make this part of the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Call us now for a free no-obligations quote:

0207 737 7243

I engaged Barnes and Barnes for a probate valuation for a property in Highbury. Grant was very thorough, extremely helpful on the day and very considerate. Highly recommend.

G Sutton 5 Stars - Feb 2023
G Sutton

We were impressed by the professionalism and quality of our survey. Our Market Value report was comprehensive and delivered in a short time frame. We would definitely recommend.

T Taylor 5 Stars - March 2023
T Taylor

You get what you pay for – the sampler Barnes report was very much more thorough than sampler reports from other practices, and for that reason, we chose Barnes over other, less expensive practices.

S Legg 5 Stars - March 2023
S Legg

As a firm of architects, we rely on the highest standard of our consultants and I warmly recommend this approachable firm for their professional services.

Bernhard Blauel Feb 2023 - 5 Stars
Bernhard Blauel

Excellent, efficient. A detailed and very thorough report provided at a value-for-money cost. Would highly recommend.

M Horsey  5 Stars - Feb 2023
M Horsey

Report of the surveys was clear and thorough. The report was delivered on time as well.

J Guntoro - July 2022 4 Stars
J Guntoro - July 2022

Thorough, efficient, and extremely helpful. I would highly recommend Barnes and Barnes, the process was effortless.

K Shah - August 2022 5 Stars
K Shah - August 2022

If you have any doubts get a professional eye involved. Important issues were highlighted which could have been quite costly. Very detailed report containing pictures. Great service.

A C - July 2022 5 stars
A C - July 2022

Grant highlighted that there are serious issues with a property that we were not aware of. Had we proceeded with the transaction, it would have had a huge financial impact on us.

C Harrison - July 2022 5 Stars
C Harrison - July 2022

Great service and quality, very informed response. With reporting. Prompt at carrying out the survey. Good response times when calling or emailing.

M Rahman - July 2022 4.5 Stars
M Rahman - July 2022
Buying a home in London? Barnes & Barnes provide you with impartial, independent and accurate surveys of your property.
Mon–Fri 9.00am–5.00pm

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Not Sure Which Property Survey Is Best For You?

Take a look at our RICS Property Survey Comparison chart, or get in touch to discuss.

Checking everything from the ground up
RICS Building Survey 1
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