Buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Without the right professional advice, it’s easy to overlook hidden issues or overpay for a property that needs costly repairs.
Before you commit to a purchase, it’s vital to have an independent RICS survey carried out on your behalf and not just the basic valuation arranged by your lender.
RICS surveys are available at different levels, depending on the property’s age, condition and complexity, allowing you to choose the level of detail that’s right for you.
Our reports can:
Highlight structural issues or urgent repairs before you buy.
Confirm that the price you’re paying reflects true market value.
Give you peace of mind that your investment is sound.
Provide leverage for negotiation if problems are identified.
At Bramleys, our team of Surveyors are all RICS Registered Valuers with extensive local experience. We provide clear, reliable valuations for a wide range of purposes, including mortgage, re-finance, probate, dispute resolution, development and expert witness reports.
An RICS Valuation is a professional, independent assessment of your property’s current market value, carried out by one of our RICS-Registered Surveyors.
Unlike a detailed survey, an RICS Valuation focuses purely on the market value, rather than identifying detailed building defects. It’s ideal for situations where you need an accurate, impartial valuation such as:
Mortgage or remortgage purposes
Probate or inheritance tax
Shared ownership or Help to Buy
Divorce or matrimonial settlements
Capital Gains Tax and other legal requirements
All valuations are undertaken by our experienced RICS Registered Valuers, giving you complete confidence in the accuracy and professionalism of your report.
An RICS Level 2 Home Survey (previously known as a Home Buyer Report) is the most popular choice for conventional homes built from standard materials and in reasonable condition.
This report provides a detailed overview of the property’s condition, highlighting any visible defects, urgent repairs or maintenance issues you may need to plan for. It helps you make informed decisions before you commit to buying or selling, offering reassurance that there are no costly surprises ahead.
There are two options available, depending on your needs:
Ideal if you’re buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow in generally good condition. It offers clear, easy-to-understand information about the property’s overall state and any repairs or maintenance required.
Includes everything in the survey above, plus a professional market valuation and insurance reinstatement figure, helping you avoid under- or over-insurance and ensuring you’re paying a fair price.
All Level 2 Home Surveys are carried out by RICS Registered Surveyors with extensive local knowledge, giving you complete confidence in your results.
An RICS Level 3 Building Survey (previously known as a Structural Survey) is the most comprehensive and detailed type of inspection available. It provides an in-depth analysis of the property’s structure and condition, offering expert advice on defects, repair options, maintenance needs, and likely future issues.
Choose an RICS Level 3 Home Survey if:
You’re buying a large, older or run-down property
The building is unusual, significantly extended or altered
You’re planning major renovation or structural work
All Level 3 surveys are carried out by RICS Registered Surveyors, giving you complete confidence in the accuracy and independence of your report.
Both Level 2 and Level 3 Home Surveys provide detailed descriptions of key building elements, such as the roof, walls, floors, ceilings, windows and drainage, including their type, construction, and current condition.
Each element is given a condition rating, making it clear and easy to understand the severity of any issues identified.
Red - Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently.
Amber – Defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered serious or urgent. The property must be maintained in the normal way.
Green – No repair is currently needed. The property must be maintained in the normal way.
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