Expert Chartered Surveyors in Manchester

There are many kinds of report, and different surveying offices may not follow the same industry body guidelines. At Cosey Homes, our work is approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and as such, we offer the following:

• Level 3 RICS Building Survey
• Level 2 RICS Homebuyers Survey
• Level 2 RICS Homebuyers Survey + Valuation
• Level 1 RICS Condition Report

The most detailed survey type, a Level 3 Building Survey provides an in-depth examination of the property’s structure and condition.

• Ideal for: Older, historic, or larger properties; homes constructed with unusual materials or techniques; and properties requiring substantial renovation.
• Inspection Details: This survey offers a thorough, room-by-room inspection, with detailed analysis of defects, advice on maintenance, and estimates for repair costs.
• Benefits: Essential for buyers planning renovations or who want a complete assessment of a property’s structural integrity, this survey provides extensive insights into repair needs and future upkeep. The report is highly detailed, giving you confidence in understanding the full scope of the property’s condition.

The Manchester RICS Homebuyers Survey provides a more detailed evaluation of the property than the Condition Report, offering a comprehensive analysis in a standardised, easy-to-understand format.

• Ideal for: Properties in good overall condition that are under a century old, such as standard modern homes or flats.
• Inspection Details: The survey uses a “traffic light” system to indicate the urgency of any defects found—green for no major issues, amber for areas that may need attention, and red for urgent repairs.
• Benefits: In addition to defect identification, this survey highlights areas that may not meet current building standards, giving you an accurate picture of the property’s compliance and any foreseeable maintenance needs. It’s a non-intrusive inspection, making it cost-effective while providing a reasonable depth of insight.

This is the most basic survey type, providing a brief summary of the property’s overall condition at the time of inspection.

• Ideal for: New or nearly new homes with no expected issues, as it focuses on highlighting any visible concerns.
• Inspection Details: The Level 1 survey is a non-invasive inspection and does not delve into detailed diagnostics or recommend repairs.
• Benefits: Ideal for buyers looking for an affordable report that identifies major issues and provides peace of mind on straightforward properties. If further investigation is needed, you can seek professional advice on other survey options.

It’s recommended that every buyer commissions a survey before they proceed with a property purchase. Whether you are looking to move into a beautiful listed cottage, a newly-built modern apartment or are relocating your firm to a larger office complex, a survey can help you determine whether the property is as good as it looks, or whether there are hidden defects and substantial repairs needed before you can move in.

The results of a building survey (Level 3) often save buyers thousands of pounds in remedial work later down the line, and equip them with reasons to re-negotiate the purchase price. Even if no substantial defects are discovered, homeowners and building managers are usually quite pleased with the peace of mind a survey returns.

The cost of a property survey in Manchester will depend on the type of survey you choose, the level of detail required and property size. HomeBuyers Reports start from £400 and are suited to standard properties. They offer a more detailed look at visible defects and sometimes including a valuation. If you’re buying an older or larger property, the building survey cost in Manchester usually starts at £550 and provides a more in-depth structural analysis of the building.

It would be nice to think that a newly-built property is sold in a perfect condition. However, this is not the case, and it’s fairly common for new homes to feature a whole host of problems. A professional snagging list can capture smaller jobs, however a RICS Condition Report (Level 1) is usually chosen to reassure buyers that there are no significant problems with the construction or materials with the building.

Even if you have no specific concerns about a property, it is still important to have it surveyed professionally. Many structural issues are not immediately apparent, and it often takes specialist analysis to identify a defect, determine the cause and make accurate recommendations about how to repair it.

A survey can tell you about urgent remedial work that needs doing, as well as how much it is likely to cost. Many buyers use this information to negotiate the same amount of money off of the asking price for the property, although others prefer that the seller gets the work done as part of their sale agreement.

The most appropriate survey for a listed building is the RICS Building Survey (Level 3), as it will go into the depth necessary to cover the unique features and requirements of a historic, character home.

The main difference between a Building Survey (Level 3) and a HomeBuyers Survey (Level 2) is the depth of investigation. A HomeBuyer survey (Level 2) is non-invasive, meaning that only the visible and easily accessible parts of a building are inspected. On the other hand, a Building Survey (Level 3) will take every reasonable measure to check the condition of “hidden” areas, such as under floorboards and inside attics, and will also made informed speculations about the state of any completely inaccessible areas of the property.