Welcome to MyLocalSurveyor

Buying a property?  once you have negotiated the price had your offer accepted you will need to find a surveyor to carry out a property survey. There are other reasons you may need to find a surveyor, like if you need a party wall agreement, a valuation survey or you’re buying a new build and want a snagging survey. But how do you find a surveyor and how do you choose the best one at the best price?

There are a number of different survey options available including:

RICS Home Survey – Level 1: A RICS Level 1 Home Survey, previously called a ‘Condition Report’, describes the condition of the property, identifies any risks and potential legal issues, and highlights any urgent defects. Typically the lowest-priced survey, it is aimed at conventional properties and newer homes. It will note defects in the property but will generally not provide advice on how to manage those defects. Choose an RICS Level 1 Home Survey if you’re buying a conventional house, flat or bungalow built from common building materials and in good condition.

RICS Home Survey – Level 2: Previously called a ‘Home Buyer Report’ or ‘Home Buyers' Survey’, an RICS Level 2 Home Survey is most suitable for conventional properties that are in reasonable condition and are simple in form and layout (for example, a property that does not have multiple alterations or extensions). The report gives you more detailed information about the property, and ideas about future repairs or maintenance that may be required.

RICS Home Survey With Valuation– Level 2: This survey is the same as above but also includes and reinstatement sum to help you avoid under or over insurance and a valuation on the basis of market value

RICS Home Survey – Level 3: A Level 3 Home Survey is the most comprehensive survey report. It provides you with an extensive, in-depth analysis of the property’s condition and includes advice on defects, repairs and maintenance options. Choose a Level 3 Home Survey if you’re dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works on a property.

RPSA Homebuyer/Home Condition Survey: Offered by the Residential Property Surveyors Association rather than RICS, A RPSA Home Condition Survey is equivalent to the RICS Home Survey Level 2.

A Level 2 Home Survey is most suitable for conventional properties that are in reasonable condition and are simple in form and layout (for example, a property that does not have multiple alterations or extensions). The report gives you more detailed information about the property, and ideas about future repairs or maintenance that may be required.

RPSA Building Survey: A Level 3 Home Survey is the most comprehensive survey report. It provides you with an extensive, in-depth analysis of the property’s condition and includes advice on defects, repairs and maintenance options. Choose a Level 3 Home Survey if you’re dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works on a property.

All the surveyors listed on MyLocalSurveyor are regulated by RICS or RPSA

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a global professional body for those working in the Built Environment, Construction, Land, Property and Real Estate. The RICS was founded in London in 1868. It works at a cross-governmental level, and aims to promote and enforce the highest international standards in the valuation, management and development of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

The Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) is a not-for-profit representative body for independent residential surveyors who are the industry's leading specialists in reporting on the condition of residential properties on behalf of homebuyers.