I have inserted this reference page as much confusion reigns in the marketplace about what is, and who does, a detailed house valuation or survey.

Need a detailed House Inspection Survey? A Structural Survey?

It is easy to lapse into jargon that not everybody can understand. Also some clients ask for the wrong survey option EG: Many clients ask for a Structural Survey (a Level 3 product) but in fact they mean something else.

What the client wants is a Building Survey (a Level 3 product), perhaps with a Market Valuation (a Level 1 inspection product): somebody has told them that they need a full Structural Survey and so that is what is requested.

The key is to know what drives the need for a survey. This is why PROinspect place such high emphasis on one-to-one talking to all clients. If we understand why you need a report and what that report is going to be used for then we can recommend the best and most relevant survey product.

Many years ago House Surveyors did basically three services – Valuations (level 1), Homebuyer Reports (level 2) and top-of-the-range Structural Surveys (level 3). This became very confusing because Structural Surveys were also being completed by Structural Engineers, Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Building Surveyors, various differing forms of Engineer etc….. Often each version of a Structural Survey was completely different and the Public were highly confused.

The main Controlling Bodies eventually came together and decided enough-was-enough with the result that nowadays these Professionals offer the following services (related to House selling/purchase):-

Structural Engineers – Forsenic diagnostic reports on structural movement including load-bearing calculations. Often described as “you know you have a problem, now let’s analysis it”.

Chartered Surveyors (PROinspect) – House Building Surveys (condition reports) on the very large majority of UK housing. Can include Market Valuations.

Chartered Building Surveyors – Usually highly detailed Building Surveys but in circumstances where exposure of foundations etc… may be required (or other “further investigations”). Can include repair costings but generally cannot provide Market Valuations.

Various differing forms of Engineer – Without wishing to be too elitist such persons usually offer only a diluted or partial service.

Home Inspectors – Most cannot or could not complete a Building Survey or Valuation. These complete Level 2 survey products alone.

Most UK Buyers, Owners and/or Sellers use Chartered Surveyors for survey requirements.

By the way, don’t get confused about qualifications: the professional heavyweights have FRICS after their name. AssocRICS and MRICS are valid qualifications also but these persons may have limited experience compared with FRICS members of the Royal Institution (RICS).

You can check Surveyor qualifications at this website RICS.

Don’t think that you get decent advice in a full Building Survey. A well crafted level 2 Survey Product will give you what you want to know about the presence of defects and the effect they have on property value; what a level 2 product may lack is some of the finer detail in terms of extensive explanatory comments. Don’t forget you can always call your PROinspect Surveyor if you want additional advice: we don’t charge extra for talking to you!