Surveys
A survey undertaken by a Chartered Surveyor gives the buyer a professional opinion about the property in question. It should be carried out, and the findings considered, prior to entering into a contractual commitment purchase. Where defects are found, the purchase price may be re- negotiated to reflect necessary repair work, unless the asking price already reflects this.

There are two types of survey: 

• A Homebuyer Survey and Valuation
• A Building Survey.

Homebuyer Survey and Valuation
The RICS Homebuyer Survey and Valuation is designed specifically as an economy service and is intended only for particular types of home: houses, flats and bungalows which are:

• conventional in type and construction
• apparently in reasonable condition.

It focuses on essentials: defects and problems which are urgent or significant and thus have an effect on the value of the property. Because of the practical limits on the type of property and of the scope of its coverage, the HOMEBUYER Service is priced mid-range - more expensive than a Mortgage Valuation, but less than a Building Survey.

The surveyor's main objective in providing the service is to assist a purchaser to:

• make a reasoned and informed judgement on whether or not to proceed with the purchase
• assess whether or not the property is a reasonable purchase at the agreed price
• be clear what decisions and actions should be taken before contracts are exchanged.

The surveyor also gives his or her professional opinion on the particular features of the property which affect its present value and may affect its future marketability.

Building Survey
A Building Survey is suitable for all residential properties and provides full details of their construction and condition. It is needed if the property is, for example, of unusual construction, an historic or Listed Building, dilapidated or extensively altered - or where a major conversion or renovation is planned. It is usually tailored to the client's individual requirements. A building survey is more comprehensive than a homebuyer report and includes extensive technical information on construction and materials as well as details of the whole range of defects, major to minor.
A valuation is not included and will only provided by prior agreement.

Valuations
All building societies are required by law to undertake a valuation before making a mortgage offer on a property (the same does not currently apply to banks, although almost all will require a valuation). A valuation is not a survey, it is a property inspection undertaken for the sole purpose of deciding on the amount and terms of any loan and the adequacy of security provided by the property against the loan. Buyers usually  pay for a valuation to be carried out and are usually given a copy of the report. However, the extent of the inspection is very limited when compared to a survey and potential buyers should not rely solely on the information provided by a mortgage valuation when deciding whether or not to buy a particular property.