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In this guide, we’ll take you through every step after a house survey, ensuring you're fully informed and confident in your next move—right up to getting the keys to your new home.
Condition Report (Level 1) – A basic survey, mainly for newer homes with no major concerns.
HomeBuyer Report (Level 2) – More detailed, suited for modern homes that appear in reasonable condition.
Building Survey (Level 3) – A full house survey, ideal for older homes or those requiring renovation.
During a survey for home purchase, a surveyor will assess various aspects of the property’s condition. Key areas of concern include:
Receiving a survey report with unexpected issues can be concerning, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the deal is off. Many homes, especially older ones, will have some defects. The key is to understand the severity of the problems and their potential impact on the property’s value and safety.
The surveyor will provide a breakdown of the findings, and for in-depth reports, they may offer professional advice on the next steps. It’s always a good idea to discuss the report directly with the surveyor to clarify any concerns
Once you have a clear understanding of the issues, the next step is to determine how much repairs will cost. To do this:
If repairs are expensive, it may be worth negotiating with the seller to cover costs or adjust the asking price.
If the survey uncovers major concerns, you have three options:
Your mortgage lender may also have concerns if significant issues are found. Some lenders may require repairs to be completed before releasing funds, so it’s crucial to check how this affects your mortgage approval.
If repairs are needed, buyers can take one of the following approaches:
Estate agents often mediate these discussions, so it’s essential to communicate clearly and back up your requests with evidence from the survey report and repair quotes.
If your survey report doesn’t highlight any major issues, or if you’re satisfied with the findings, you’re one step closer to completing your home purchase. Here’s what happens next:
Scenario: A property investor wins a property at auction and needs £350,000 to complete the purchase within 28 days.
Solution: Catalyst provides quick approval and funding, ensuring the investor meets the deadline.
Your solicitor or conveyancer will continue carrying out legal checks on the property. These checks ensure:
At this stage, your mortgage lender will review all necessary documents, including the survey results, to confirm that they are happy to proceed. Your solicitor will ensure that all mortgage conditions have been met before setting a date for contract exchange.
Once all checks are complete, you’ll be ready to exchange contracts with the seller. To do this:
Booking a survey is a straightforward but essential step when purchasing a property. Here’s how to do it:
A house survey is a crucial step in the buying process, helping you identify potential issues, negotiate repairs, and make an informed decision. Whether your survey reveals no concerns or uncovers major repairs, knowing what happens next ensures a smooth path to completion.
If you’re planning to buy a property and need guidance on financing options—especially for auction purchases—Auction Finance provides expert solutions to help you move forward confidently.
Ans: A house survey is conducted by a qualified surveyor, usually accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA). You can arrange a survey through your mortgage lender, estate agent, or by hiring an independent surveyor.
Ans: To arrange a survey:
Ans: The time needed for a house survey depends on its type:
The survey report is usually delivered within 3-8 working days, depending on the survey type.
Ans: If your house survey highlights issues, you should:
Consider whether the issues are deal-breakers or manageable with the right fixes.
Ans: Yes, if significant issues are found, you can use the survey report to negotiate a lower price or request the seller to fix the issues before completing the purchase. The success of negotiations depends on the seller’s willingness and market conditions.
Ans: Although newly built homes come with warranties (such as NHBC or LABC), it’s still advisable to get a snagging survey to identify defects that the builder should fix before you move in.
Ans: A mortgage valuation survey is different from a home survey. It is conducted for the lender’s benefit to confirm the property’s value. If the valuation is lower than your offer, you may need to renegotiate the price or increase your deposit to cover the difference.
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