The RICS provides clear advice to clients regarding why a survey is required. Before you decide to commit yourself legally, you need to consider whether there are any potential defects to the structure which are likely to result in costly repairs either at the present time, or in the near future. In some cases the survey document may enable you to re-negotiate the purchase price with the seller based on defects which are discovered.

When you purchase a property with a mortgage you will normally pay for a valuation which is undertaken by the Bank or Building Society. This is either a brief internal inspection or may be a ‘drive past’ inspection. It is not intended to be a survey and will not provide you with advice regarding the condition of the property. It is used by the lenders to confirm that the property is an adequate security to lend against. The RICS, the consumer magazine ''Which?'' and the Council of Mortgage Lenders all suggest that a survey of the property is required in addition to the mortgage valuation report.

There are two types of more detailed survey which are available, the RICS HomeBuyer report and the full Building Survey (previously known as a Structural Survey). I will attempt to give you a brief overview of the services which are provided in each instance on the next page.