Services
RICS Home Surveys
RICS Home Surveys
Buying or maintaining a property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make. A professional survey gives you peace of mind, protects you from unexpected costs, and helps you make confident decisions.
At Sutherland Surveyors, we are RICS-regulated Chartered Building Surveyors with deep local expertise across Dorset, Hampshire, and the New Forest.
Our surveys are:
Clear & Impartial
Written in plain English.
Highly Visual
Our reports are photo-rich, so you can easily see what we’ve found.
Tailored
No boilerplate text; each report is bespoke to your property.
Trusted
RICS regulated, insured, and fully independent.
You can also view sample reports before you instruct us, so you know exactly what to expect.
Services
Level 2 Home Survey
The Level 2 Home Survey (previously the HomeBuyer Report) is the most popular option for modern homes built in the last 100 years and in reasonable condition.
What it includes:
- Visual inspection of the property inside and out
- Identification of urgent problems and significant defects
- Clear “traffic light” ratings for each building element
- Advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance
- Optional market valuation and insurance reinstatement cost
- Visual inspection of the property inside and out
Best suited for:
- Conventional homes in generally good condition
- Buyers who want clear, jargon-free advice before committing to purchase
- Conventional homes in generally good condition
How much does a Level 2 Home Survey cost?
The cost of a Level 2 Home Survey depends on several factors, including the size, age, and location. Contact us for a free quote.
Services
Level 3 Building Survey
The Level 3 Building Survey (formerly the Structural Survey) is our most detailed inspection and report, giving you a comprehensive picture of the property’s construction, condition and repair needs.
What it includes:
- Thorough inspection of all accessible areas
- Detailed description of construction and materials
- In-depth reporting on defects, their causes, consequences and repair options
- Guidance on long-term maintenance, including estimated timelines for works
- Detailed comments on energy efficiency, ventilation and thermal performance
- Optional budget cost guidance for major repairs
- Thorough inspection of all accessible areas
Best suited for:
- Older or historic properties
- Homes that have been extended, altered or poorly maintained
- Properties where major refurbishment or renovation is planned
- Older or historic properties
How much does a Level 3 Building Survey cost?
The cost of a Level 3 Building Survey depends on several factors, including the size, age, and location. Contact us for a free quote.
Which Survey Do I Need?
Not sure which survey is right for you? Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison.
Both surveys are carried out by our RICS Surveyors and provide clear, independent advice.
| Feature / Benefit | Level 2 Home Survey | Level 3 Building Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Mid-level inspection with clear traffic-light ratings | Most detailed inspection and report available |
| Best for | Conventional homes built in the last 100 years and in reasonable condition | Older, historic, extended, unusual or poorly maintained homes |
| Inspection detail | Visual inspection of key elements (roof, walls, windows, services, grounds) | Comprehensive inspection of all accessible areas, with more intrusive checks where possible |
| Report content | Concise, clear explanations of problems, repairs and maintenance | In-depth analysis of defects, their causes, consequences and repair options |
| Cost guidance | ✖ | Available as an optional add-on for major repairs |
| Valuation | Available on request | Available on request |
| Reinstatement Cost Assessment (RCA) | Available on request | Available on request |
| Energy efficiency & performance | Basic comments | Detailed commentary on efficiency, ventilation and thermal performance |
Services
Reinstatement Cost Assessments
We can provide a Reinstatement Cost Assessment (RCA) alongside any survey. This is an independent calculation of how much it would cost to rebuild your property if it were destroyed. An up-to-date RCA is vital for insurance purposes, ensuring you are not under-insured (risking financial loss if you need to claim) or over-insured (paying more than necessary for cover).
Services
Specific Defect Surveys
If you are concerned about a particular issue, we can carry out a focused Specific Defect Survey. This type of inspection investigates one area in detail and provides clear advice on the cause and remedy.
| Examples include: | |
|---|---|
| ✓ Cracking or movement in walls | |
| ✓ Damp, condensation or water ingress | |
| ✓ Roof defects and structural issues | |
| ✓ Timber decay or rot |
We provide a clear diagnosis supported by photographs and practical advice on the next steps, helping you avoid unnecessary costs or inappropriate contractor recommendations.
Services
Snagging Surveys (New‑Build Inspections)
Buying a brand‑new home? A Snagging Survey identifies construction defects, poor workmanship and items that fall short of warranty provider or developer standards. We inspect internal and external elements and provide a clear, itemised snagging list you can give to the developer for rectification.
What it includes:
- Visual inspection of finishes, fixtures and fittings across all rooms and common areas
- Checks to doors, windows, stairs, joinery, plaster, tiling, sanitaryware and ventilation
- External checks to brickwork/render, roof coverings, rainwater goods, paving and boundaries (where accessible)
- Compliance observations against plans and obvious safety concerns
- A prioritised snagging schedule with photos to assist follow‑up with your developer
Best suited for:
- New‑build houses and apartments (pre‑completion or within the builder’s initial warranty period)
- Buyers who want a professional, independent list to ensure issues are addressed promptly
When to book:
- **Pre‑completion** (with developer agreement) for early rectification, or
- **Post‑completion** within your snagging/warranty period to ensure items are captured in time