About the RICS Level 2 Home Survey

This service applies to houses, bungalows and flats that are conventional in type and construction and are apparently in reasonable condition. This would generally include property conversions and properties that:

• Are typically less than 100 years of age

• Are built of conventional building materials and construction methods

• Have service systems commonly used in domestic residential properties

A surveyor may have particular technical skills and experience of unusual or specialist construction types and thus may be satisfied that he or she can offer the service on an extended range of properties. Examples typically include;

• Properties built using less common structures and materials (e.g. 1920s timber-framed etc)

• Prefabricated, concrete and steel-framed properties built after the Second World War

• Properties using new and developing technologies or materials

Key Features

Describes the construction and condition of the property on the date of inspection:

• Aims to identify any problems that need urgent attention or are serious

• Aims to identify things that need to be investigated further to prevent serious damage

• Aims to tell about problems that may be dangerous

• Aim to show up potential issues and defects, before any transaction takes place

• Aims to help you decide whether you need extra advice before committing to a purchase

• Aims to enable you to budget for any repairs or restoration

• Aims to advise you on the amount of ongoing maintenance required in the future

• Where practical and agreed as a separate service, provides a reinstatement cost to help you avoid under or over-insurance if requested

• Where practical and agreed as a separate service, provides a market valuation if requested

Focus And Limitations Of The Service

The service is specifically designed for lay clients who are seeking a professional opinion at an economical price. It is, therefore, necessarily less comprehensive than a Level 3 Building Survey.

The focus of the service is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property and identifying and evaluating the particular features that affect its present value and may affect its future resale. The inspection is not exhaustive, and no specific tests are undertaken of service installations. The surveyor will however, carry out a full visual surface level examination of all readily accessible components in order to determine a general impression of the installations.