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RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Surveys

RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey Devon

h&s Surveyors is a long-established local firm of Chartered Surveyors in South Devon, providing Mortgage Valuations, RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Surveys and RICS Level 3 Building Surveys for property clients in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth and the surrounding area. With a wealth of experience in residential property surveying, our directors have developed a strong reputation for excellence and professionalism in all our dealings.

What is a RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey?

An RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey is a detailed inspection and report designed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to provide prospective HomeBuyers with important information regarding the condition of the property they are looking to purchase.

The written survey report is produced in user-friendly and jargon-free English, making it a valuable document accessible to everyone. Its aim is to help you:

Make an informed decision on your impending property purchase
Discover and budget for any urgent or major repairs to the building
Consider if any other advice should be sought prior to exchanging contracts
Gain peace of mind in knowing all important facts about the property
Use the survey findings as a basis for renegotiating the purchase price, where relevant

As a Level 2 mid-range survey, the RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey is not as comprehensive as the Level 3 RICS Building Survey. The report is compiled on the basis of a non-invasive site inspection. This means our surveyors won’t be able to look under floor coverings or in other concealed areas, drill holes or conduct any invasive methods of investigation.

Is a RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey right for my property?

The RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey is the most popular report requested by property buyers. The survey is most suitable for conventional properties that are in a reasonable state of repair.

Modern buildings and standard-construction older homes built within the last 100 years
Properties of standard design
Homes built with conventional construction methods
Buildings that are in a good overall condition

If the property you are planning to buy is a period home or listed building, has undergone major alterations or extensions in the past, or you are planning to carry out extensive refurbishments and alterations, a RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey is unlikely to be the right choice of survey for your needs. In this case, we would strongly advise you to consider a Building Survey instead.

What is covered by a RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey?

The purpose of an RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey is to provide advice on any defects that may affect the value of the property in question, along with professional recommendations for repair and maintenance. In particular, the features of the RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey include:

Highlighting serious defects and urgent repairs such as structural movement, dampness and timber decay
Providing clear and concise colour-coded condition ratings for each part of the building, including outbuildings and services, making the report easy to understand
Advising on any further investigations the surveyor considers necessary
Advising on any issues that need to be referred to your legal adviser
Providing a current market valuation and advice on whether the agreed purchase price is reasonable
Highlighting decisions and actions to be taken before contracts are exchanged

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Why Choose Us?

25+ Years Experience
Family run business
Regulated by RICS
Excellent reviews
Comprehensive surveys
Competitive quotes

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We are regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to ensure we are delivering the highest standard of service.

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Choosing the right survey

Buying a house is possibly the single largest transaction that you are likely to undertake in your lifetime. A building is a major asset, so how can you be sure it’s worth the investment? Houses in this country can be of different ages and forms of construction; they may have defects or design faults or show signs of poor workmanship. The problems can be numerous and serious and prove expensive to remedy.

This is why it is important for you to arrange for a Surveyor to carry out a property survey prior to commitment to purchase. Commissioning your own home survey is the simple, economical way to avoid unpleasant and perhaps costly surprises after moving in.

What Our Clients Say

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
    William Elliott 
 15 April 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. h&s Surveyors conducted a level 2 survey ahead of our house purchase last year. Their communication was excellent from start to finish, and their report was thorough and very well written. One year on, the report describes everything we've learned from living in our home and we haven't hesitated to recommend h&s Surveyors to our friends and family. Hopefully, we won't need to move home for some time, but when we do, we will use h&s Surveyors.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Kerry Mann 
 26 March 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful and simple process to book in our survey and received back very quickly. Thorough and insightful report and lovely team to work with. Thank you so much.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Jennifer Harvey 
 14 March 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely first class service,  I had additional questions after the survey and nothing was too much trouble.  I would highly recommend this company.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Paul Sampson 
 10 February 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. H&S provided an efficient service at a very competitive price. Communication was great. The report was detailed and comprehensive and even our solicitor was impressed with it. We would use them again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Mike McGrove 
 1 February 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andy provided a really thorough RICS Level 3 survey for us, which was clear and easy to understand, for an excellent price. Would definitely recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Simone Talfourd 
 23 January 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently had a Grade 3 survey conducted as part of the process of purchasing a house, and we couldn’t be happier with the service provided! The survey was incredibly thorough, detailed, and professionally executed, giving us a clear and comprehensive understanding of the property's condition. The report was not only easy to understand but also highlighted important areas to address, which has been invaluable in helping us plan for possible future works. Chris' expertise, attention to detail, and willingness to answer any questions made the whole process seamless and reassuring. We truly feel that this survey was worth every penny and gave us the confidence to move forward with our purchase. Highly recommend to anyone looking for reliable and meticulous survey services!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Aidan Dominy 
 21 January 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Survey was promptly booked with helpful admin staff responding quickly by email. Survey was detailed (including plenty of photos) and arrived within the time promised. Seems to be much better value for level 2 surveys than other local providers. Would recommend - thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    sylvia punter 
 7 November 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chris is knowledgeable, efficient and helpful and provides an excellent professional service
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Teresa Smaridge 
 25 July 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was the second time using H&M Surveyors.  They were quick to respond to my initial enquiry and also arranging a date for the survey. Chris phoned me beforehand to ask if I had any particular concerns about the property. The level 2 homebuyers report was provided in the timescale advised and Chris was also happy to discuss the findings of the survey once I had seen the report, which I found very useful. Chris was friendly and explained everything I needed to know.  Would definitely recommend h&s and will be happy to use again in the future.

FAQs

Many homeowners underestimate the value of commissioning a report of their prospective new home. In some cases, this is due to not understanding the benefits of a property survey, while others mistakenly believe that their mortgage valuation will tell them about any defects.

Having a RICS survey is the only way to get a professional opinion about the condition of the building you are about to buy. Even if you think the property is sound, surveyors are trained to spot the symptoms of a problem that typically go missed by the average person, potentially allowing you to save thousands in unexpected repair costs when you move in.

A comprehensive survey will help you determine the true value of any property so that you can make an informed decision about proceeding.

You can minimise the risks of purchasing a property by asking a Surveyor to answer these questions: Is the agreed price reasonable? Are there any drawbacks I don’t know about? Are there any significant defects or urgent repairs? If so, what do I do about them?

At Hammond & Shaw, we offer friendly and professional advice to help you make the right property decision, with a full survey and valuation service for all types of residential property. Get in touch today to discuss your specific requirements and get a free, no obligation quotation.

Many people wrongly believe a mortgage valuation is a property survey. However, a mortgage valuation is purely for the use of mortgage lender and cannot be relied upon by you to protect your interests. Increasingly, mortgage lenders are willing to accept a mortgage application without a surveyor having physically inspected the property.

Although the cost of a survey may seem an unnecessary extravagance when making a decision to buy it could highlight costly repairs, help to re-negotiate the purchase price and potentially save thousands.

The following advice is given by both the consumer association Which? Magazine and the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML):

Even if you are seeking a mortgage and may be paying for a Mortgage Valuation report, it is advisable and prudent to arrange a property survey by your own Surveyors. The best way to reach an informed decision on such an important investment is to have a professional property survey before you decide to go ahead and commit yourself legally.