Homebuyer Survey and Valuation

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has designed the Homebuyer Survey and Valuation report to provide a prospective purchaser with basic information in a standardised format and the minimum of technical jargon. It is an economy report and therefore less costly and less detailed than a Building Survey.

David Rawlins offers clients the RICS HomeBuyer Report which replaces the RICS Homebuyer Survey and Valuation.  The new format was launched by the RICS in April 2009 & became compulsory for all surveyors from 1 April 2010.  The service includes an inspection, a report and a valuation. The report is designed to have a crisp colourful design and uses condition ratings on a 1 to 3 traffic light style. It is important to appreciate that the surveyor is not required to provide advice on repair or to comment in detail.

 It includes:

  • A clear layout which is easy to understand, so clients will quickly find the details they need.
  • Reference to the Energy Performance of the property, as recorded in the Energy Performance Certificate.
  • Client satisfaction from knowing their property report will be undertaken by a highly skilled member of RICS, the leading property organisation in the world.
  • 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.
  • Colour coded condition ratings will help buyers and their advisers interpret the condition of elements of the property.
  • Valuation for insurance.

Information is provided in a simple, straightforward form, easy to read and understand.


Inspection is limited to those parts of the building that can be reached safely and easily using a 3m (10 ft) ladder. It does not include examination of inaccessible parts or testing of services.


It is generally for houses, bungalows and flats that are:

  • of a traditional type and construction and apparently in reasonable condition
  • Post 190o

Its simple format is not usually satisfactory for large houses or those that are unusual by virtue of design or construction. It is also not suitable for those that have been converted, extended, altered significantly or Listed Buildings.  (See Building Surveys)

The report also provides an insurance figure where possible, so you can obtain competitive quotations for buildings insurance. Fee levels from area to area do vary due to local factors. Our fees are based on an estimate of the time it will take a surveyor to inspect the property, draw conclusions and then prepare a report.  The assessment & report on an older property tends to take longer than one of modern construction.

A Homebuyer Report is carried out in accordance with Standard Terms of Engagement produced by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. For further details about this type of survey and to obtain a quotation please contact us at 01757 249327.