Home Surveys for First-Time Buyers

Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. We make sure you know exactly what you are buying before you commit.

SURVEY CALCULATOR
✓ We've helped over 25,000 customers
SURVEY CALCULATOR
✓ We've helped over 25,000 customers
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Over half our clients are
first-time buyers
400+ five-star reviews
£42.5m saved for our customers
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Over half our clients are first-time buyers
★★★★★ 400+ five-star reviews
0 saved for our customers
Pay in 3 with Klarna

WHY YOU NEED A SURVEY

The mortgage valuation is not protecting you. It is protecting the bank.

When your mortgage is approved, the lender carries out a valuation. Many first-time buyers assume this means the property has been checked and is fine. It has not!
A mortgage valuation confirms the property is worth what you are paying for it. That is all it does. It is not checking for structural problems, hidden damp, roof defects or any of the issues that could cost you thousands after you have already exchanged contracts.
A RICS home survey is the only independent inspection that works entirely for you. No lender, no estate agent, no seller. Just an honest, expert assessment of the property you are about to buy.

WHAT WE FIND

What our surveyors find that buyers have no idea about

Our surveyors carry out thousands of inspections every year. Here are the kinds of issues that get missed without a professional survey.

Active woodworm in roof structures

Subsidence that sellers have not disclosed

Damp hidden behind freshly painted walls

Roof defects requiring thousands of pounds of work

Structural movement in older properties

Drainage issues and failed guttering

In every one of these cases, the buyer used their survey report to renegotiate the price, budget for repairs before committing, or make an informed decision to walk away. That is what a survey is for.

WHICH SURVEY DO YOU NEED

Which survey is right for your first home?

Level 2

RICS Level 2 Survey

The most popular choice for first-time buyers purchasing a standard property built after 1900 that appears to be in reasonable condition. A thorough inspection covering the condition of the property, any visible defects and maintenance concerns, with a clear report you can actually understand.

Level 3

RICS Level 3 Survey

For older properties, those that have been significantly altered, or anything that feels more complex. The most detailed inspection available. Your surveyor spends a full day at the property and produces a comprehensive report covering structure, condition, defects and repair costs.

Not sure which survey you need?

Answer three quick questions and we will tell you exactly which survey is right for your property.

Find my survey

Why choose Home Surveying

We are the UK’s largest independent surveying firm. Survey only — no conflicts, no compromises. We have no ties to lenders, no pressure to tell you what you want to hear. Our only job is to give you the most honest and accurate picture of the property you are buying.
Guidance throughout the whole process

From booking your survey to receiving your report, you get support at every stage so you always know what is happening and what to do next.

Fast, clear survey reports

You receive your report quickly, with clear information about the property’s condition, so you can make decisions without unnecessary delays.

Direct support from your surveyor

You can speak directly with your surveyor, ask questions, and get clear answers from the professional who understands your property.

Clear communication from start to finish

We keep things simple and easy to understand, so you are never left confused by technical language or unsure about the next step.

Personal attention for every client

We take the time to understand your needs and concerns, giving you a service that feels personal, helpful, and focused on you.

Honest advice you can trust

You get straightforward, independent advice that helps you understand any issues with the property and move forward with confidence.

Over half of our clients are first-time buyers. We understand the process, the anxiety and the questions you have — because we have answered them thousands of times. Our surveyors are available to speak to you directly, explain their findings in plain English and make sure you feel confident about every decision.

First-time buyer survey questions answered

Yes. Your mortgage lender carries out a valuation, not a survey. A valuation protects the bank. A survey protects you.
Book your survey as soon as your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts. This gives you time to act on the findings.
A Level 2 survey typically takes half a day on site. A Level 3 survey takes a full day. Your report is usually delivered within 3.2 days of the inspection.
Yes. All of our clients have direct access to their surveyor to ask questions and discuss the report.

Survey findings may help you make a more informed decision about a purchase, including raising issues with the seller if significant defects are identified. Any negotiation will depend on the circumstances and the nature of the findings.

Recent news & events

Back to Back: Joe Miller Named Best Surveyor Leader at the British Mortgage Awards 2026
First-Time Buyers Are Now Driving the Housing Market
What Is Non-Standard Construction? A UK Buyer’s Guide