RICS BUILDING SURVEY (LEVEL 3)
What is an RICS Full Building Survey in Wimbledon, London?
All accessible areas within the property will be subject to comprehensive internal and external scrutiny by experienced Wimbledon Chartered Surveyors, with an in-depth analysis of the construction and condition undertaken and results delivered in an easy-to-understand traffic light system for condition severity. A Building Survey can be tailored to focus and cover any particular concerns or issues you may have.
The building surveyors will describe significant defects with the property; visible defects that might need attention; what repair tool had been used and what condition was found. They will also provide you with professional advice by telling you what repair is needed and/or who can repair it. As an additional service, the surveyors can also provide a separate estimate of the costs of repairing which will allow you to work out an affordable budget and or negotiate with the vendor.
Do I need a RICS Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey)?
While many of the homebuyer’s reports can be adapted to fit your specific property, a Full Building Survey is ideally suited for Listed Buildings or properties built before the turn of the 19th Century or unusual properties (e.g. timber framed). Therefore, any period, expensive, unconventional or larger property is worth having a more detailed house survey of this kind commissioned before buying, since the surveyor will spend more time looking at common problems in the relevant type of structure and predicting the most likely future problems with the property.
With older homes, those that have already been modernised, extended or altered in some way shape or form, surveyors will go around the individual areas of the home to find out how the additions to the home are working together. With traditional materials (lime, brickwork etc.) being mixed with modern fittings (e.g. glass, PVC, concrete, etc.) can often become an issue.
If a house has survived decades, why would it need a survey?
Case Study: Wimbledon
The Surveyors recently undertook an RICS Home Survey Level 3 (formerly known as RICS Building Survey) with a reinstatement estimate in Wimbledon. Based locally, they were able to provide advice to homeowners and property purchasers about the particular characteristics of property in and around the Wimbledon area.
Commuter townhouse prices have been given a good boost and have seen healthy growth over the last few years. It is worth bearing in mind that UK-wide national average prices have naturally increased.
The house is around 60 years of age and is a detached 5-bedroom property built approximately in the 1960s. They did not consider the house to have any major defects requiring urgent attention but did feel that there were numerous minor or not-so-minor areas for improvement. That said, some of these areas for improvement included such items as insulating the pipes. That said several areas for improvement encompassed a fairly broad range, such as the installation of uPVC windows and doors.
At this stage, none of these matters affect the functionality of the property, however, they recommend that necessary action is taken now to ensure that the building continues to be adequately comfortable and is kept in good condition. Some of the suggested measures will prevent further damage to the property and others can make both the property more secure, and less susceptible to being damaged and more valuable.
How Much Does a Level 3 Building Survey Cost?
A Level 3 Building Survey in Wimbledon and across London typically costs between £600 and £1,200, depending on the size, age, value and complexity of the property. As a rough guide, flats and smaller terraced houses usually sit towards the lower end, three and four bedroom family homes in the middle, and large, listed, extended or unusual properties at the upper end.
Factors that affect the level 3 survey cost include:
- Property size and layout – more rooms, outbuildings and roof spaces mean a longer inspection.
- Age and construction – Victorian and Edwardian homes, non-standard construction and listed buildings take longer to assess.
- Alterations and extensions – loft conversions, basements and removed walls all need checking.
- Access – restricted roof, cellar or subfloor access can extend the inspection.
Compared with the Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey (typically £400–£600), a Level 3 survey costs more because the inspection is far more thorough and the report includes defect analysis, repair options and guidance on likely costs. On older or altered property that difference usually pays for itself: buyers routinely use the findings to renegotiate the purchase price by far more than the fee.
Every quote we give is fixed and agreed before we book the inspection – get your Level 3 Building Survey quote today.
Level 3 Building Surveys Across London & Essex
Level 3 surveys are our most-instructed service for the period, listed and high-value homes of Richmond, Westminster, Islington, Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Chiswick, Camberwell, Ingatestone, Southend-on-Sea. The older or more altered the property, the more a Level 3 pays for itself.
Guides for Buyers of Older Homes
Buying a period property? Read the hidden defects of 1930s–1970s houses, which home survey is right for you, and how to renegotiate after a poor survey.
Looking for a Building Surveyor Near You?
If you searched “building surveyor near me”, here is what matters: we are RICS-regulated chartered building surveyors based in Wimbledon, carrying out Level 2 and Level 3 surveys across every London borough and into Essex and Surrey – usually within a few working days of your call. Rated 5.0 on Google, with fixed fees confirmed upfront and reports delivered fast. Find your area on our London coverage page, or skip straight to a fixed quote – or call 020 4579 8270 and speak to a surveyor, not a call centre.