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myHouse Survey Cost
At a Glance
- The average house survey costs around £500 in the UK.
- Surveying a home will take approximately 2 to 6 hours to complete.
- NEW! Our house survey cost calculator, which offers you an interactive and personalised way of understanding what this type of job will cost you.
- A complete pricing breakdown of how much different types of house surveys cost in the UK, including residential, commercial, and structural survey costs.
- The average cost of building surveyors, and how long house surveys take to complete.
- How to easily find and hire a house surveyor using MyJobQuote's online directory.
How much does a house survey cost in the UK?
In 2025, the average building survey cost is around £500. However, the cost of house surveys are impacted by how extensive the survey is, the size of the property, and a few other important factors.
It can also be impacted by individual building surveyor costs, with those in major UK cities being more expensive than smaller locations.
This guide covers everything you need to know about house survey costs, as well as the things you need to know about property surveys, and whether you can carry out building surveys as a DIY project.
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£500
Table of Contents
House Survey Cost Calculator
How Much Is a House Survey?
Property and building surveys are extremely informative — they're the starting point for learning about structural and other property issues.
The price of a house survey depends on the type of survey you're having conducted, with building and land surveys costing more than commercial or residential surveys. The average cost of a residential house survey in the UK is between £400 to £500 for the surveyor's labour rate alone, with an extra £100 to £250 added on for necessary equipment.
Cost of House Survey
Let's take a closer look at house survey costs in a range of scenarios:
| Job Description | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building and Land Survey | 1 – 6 hours | £100 – £250 survey equipment | £400 – £750, flat rate for surveyor to inspect the property |
| Commercial Evaluations | 1 – 8 hours | £100 – £250 equipment cost | £250 – £400 per surveyor, to find issues with the land and property |
| Residential Evaluation of Property and Land | 1 – 4 hours | £100 – £250 equipment cost | £400 – £500 is the average cost for a residential property in need of survey |
| Reports/Data | 1 – 4 hours to write up/assess land and building | N/A | Including in labour costs for surveyor doing survey of your land |
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What Is a House Survey?
Put simply, a house survey is the starting point to learn what might be wrong with a structure. Whether it is requested by you for peace of mind, or required if you're planning an extension or other building works, a house survey will help to outline any existing - and potential - defects in a structure.
To evaluate a structure, a house surveyor will visit the building and conduct the house survey. After this, a detailed report of known issues, necessary changes, and/or conflicts with code regulations will be shared with you.
If there are issues with structure or foundation, the surveyor will include this in their notes. If there are areas which need repair, you will receive a detailed inspection report - basically, any and all property or structural issues will be dictated in a surveyor's report.
I am buying a 1960s house, but the house survey says there are no lintels above doors or windows. There are no signs of sagging brickwork except diagonal crack over patio doors. Do I need to put in lintels on first floor or just ground floor? How much will it cost?
"All windows and doors will need new lintels, however small. The cost depends on the size scaffold will need to be erected to carry out the work safely."
Why Do I Need a House Survey?
Property surveys can be requested in the event of a property sale. If you are selling a building (commercial or residential), the buyer may request a home buyer's survey prior to agreeing to and signing the purchase agreement.
You can also be required to do a survey by local municipality or code enforcement to see if local rules have changed after the building was constructed.
If you're requesting a house survey for personal use, you can use the findings to enlist the help of contractors to bring your building up to code, and correct any flagged construction work.
Having a house survey conducted during house buying processes is a savvy move as it will alert you to problems with the property's structure. If there are substantial issues requiring remedial work, you can use these findings as bargaining tools with the house seller to negotiate the price down, or agree to have the work completed by the seller before you exchange.
What Problems Can Be Found in a House Survey?
The list is practically endless when it comes to what can be found in a house survey. Depending on the type you choose - a full structural survey or a home buyer's report - you will have different levels of detail.
Here's what you may come across:
Structural Problems
High on the list of critical issues are structural problems. These can concern the property's foundations, either evidenced in subsidence or movement in the foundations, or concerning cracks in the property's walls, ceilings, or floors.
The cost of laying foundations ranges from £7,000 to upwards of £11,800. It's an invasive correction, leading to further costs as the house structure itself will likely need to be revised once the foundations are corrected, depending on the severity of the foundation issue.
Damp, Moisture, and Timber Rot Issues
If the property has been subject to flooding or water issues in the past, there's a liklihood that moisture and damp problems will be flagged in the house survey report. This can lead to greater issues like rotting house timbers which will require swift treatment.
If mould is found in the house, the cost to remove mould from a single, large room can range from £220 to £280, while larger issues such as a mould infestation throughout the entire property can cost closer to £725 to £1,100.
Rising damp can damage not just the property, but the inhabitants' health, and requires fast action to remedy. The cost to treat rising damp is around £2,750.
Electrical, Plumbing, and Heating Issues
Unsafe boilers can be prevalent in older properties where maintenance has slipped over the years. In these situations, it may be suggested that old boilers are replaced with new models - especially if there is a problem with the safety of the old appliance.
New boiler installation costs start at £2,000 in the UK, but can depend based on the ease of access and size of the property in question.
Similarly found in older properties is unsafe electrical wiring. The cost of rewiring a house can start from £4,000, but easily rise in excess of £10,000 for large properties.
Water and Drainage Issues
Following on from internal plumbing issues, you may have problems with larger drainage in and around the home. To identify these problems and begin to recify them, a drain survey costs £250 on average.
Discovery of Hazardous Materials
Your home survey may find evidence of hazardous materials in the property, ranging from lead paint to asbestos. Both materials need removing or containing depending on their state to ensure the safety of those living in the property.
If asbestos is found in a property's roof, the typical asbestos removal costs are around £2,500.
The cost of removing lead paint ranges from £70 to £770 depending on wall size and volume of lead paint. Following removal, you'll then need your walls replastered and made good with painting or wallpapering.
Plastering a wall costs around £500 for an average-sized room, while re-painting a wall costs £400.
I have a Level 2 survey report with several R3 issues, namely cracked roof beams and cracks on the walls. How can I obtain an estimate of repair costs?
"Typically any general builder or roofer can assist you with assessing the issues from the chartered surveyors report."
What To Consider When Having Property Surveyed
A building and land survey is the ideal way to find out what is wrong with your property.
Here's what to consider when hiring a surveyor:
- How long they’ve been surveyors – Find out if they do residential or commercial surveys, and what you can expect in their reports upon completion.
- What they include – Are you simply paying for the survey, or do you get a full report and included repair/upgrades?
- Learn about coding enforcement – When hiring a surveyor, make sure they are familiar with code and municipal land ordinances, to ensure they check property for compliance.
There are many questions you can ask when having a building surveyed, and each company will take on a different approach when doing the survey.
So, when the time comes to hire a surveyor, make sure you are aware of these factors, as well as any additional questions you may have as it relates to what you are going to pay for their survey.
Can You Do Property Surveys Yourself?
You cannot survey a property yourself, as surveyors should be fully licensed, insured, and bonded. In many cases, there is a stipulation in a contract as to which surveyor or company you can hire to do the land and building surveyor.
So, even if you know how to do a survey, if you are not licensed you are not able to do it prior to the sale of a building or property. You have to comply with the coding and local regulations in place when hiring a surveyor.
We've heard lots of scare stories about new-build homes not being built to good standards. What should we be looking out for and what questions should we be asking before we part with any money?
"First off all, inspect the brick work — ones I’ve been on have a massive blug in them. Also, check the air vent bricks are on ground level (i.e., in the grass or stone, they should be 75mm above ground level). I like them 150mm personally, otherwise you get damp issues.
Another issue I found on these sites are fascias and sofets. Make sure they are square and not damaged. Check to see how many joins there are, too. If you can also get in the loft, inspect the ventalation pipe and the insulation. Ones I’ve been on are not connected or the insulation is just thrown down.
Really go through it with a keen eye. Ideally get someone in the trade to come along and help inspect."
Another issue I found on these sites are fascias and sofets. Make sure they are square and not damaged. Check to see how many joins there are, too. If you can also get in the loft, inspect the ventalation pipe and the insulation. Ones I’ve been on are not connected or the insulation is just thrown down.
Really go through it with a keen eye. Ideally get someone in the trade to come along and help inspect."
Checklist: Hiring a House Surveyor in the UK
- Find out the type of property surveys they do.
- Learn how they do surveys and what the report indicates.
- Learn about how long it takes, and what they will do to the building and land.
- Learn about costs associated with different types of surveys.
- Ensure the house surveyor is accredited and qualified.
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FAQs
Do I Have to Hire a Surveyor?
Yes, it is often something you have to do in a sale transaction, or for regulation or ordinance issues. If there are property issues, or regulations your property isn't in compliance with, a surveyor will learn of them, and let you know what has to be done to remedy the issues.
How Often Do I Have to Survey the Building?
It really depends. Usually, only if there is a sale agreement - however, there are instances when a local municipality may require it as well, so you have to comply with these regulations also.
How Much Do Home Surveys Cost?
Home survey costs depend on type of surveyer you're hiring, the scope of the job, and the company you're using. On average, expect to pay anywhere from £400 to £1,000 for commercial or larger jobs.
Sources
https://www.rics.org/consumer-guides/house-surveys-uk-the-costs-types-and-benefits-of-an-rics-home-survey
https://www.robinson-elliott.co.uk/do-i-need-a-survey-when-buying-a-house/
https://www.ageco.co.uk/useful-articles/money/do-i-need-survey-buying-house/
https://www.landc.co.uk/mortgage-guides/property-surveys-explained
