Getting a building survey is an important step in any house purchase, and understanding the timescales involved helps buyers plan their overall conveyancing programme. The time for a survey involves both the on-site inspection itself and the time for the written report to be prepared and delivered.

Types of Survey and Their Duration

RICS Home Survey Level 1 (Condition Report)

The most basic form of survey, providing a traffic-light rating of the property's condition without detailed commentary. An on-site inspection typically takes one to two hours for an average-sized house. The report is usually delivered within two to three working days.

RICS Home Survey Level 2 (Home Buyer Report)

The most commonly commissioned survey type for standard residential properties. The surveyor inspects all accessible areas of the property, assesses condition, identifies significant defects, and provides a market valuation. On-site this typically takes two to four hours for a standard three to four-bedroom house, depending on the property's size and condition. The written report is typically delivered within three to five working days of the inspection.

RICS Home Survey Level 3 (Full Structural Survey or Building Survey)

The most comprehensive survey, recommended for older properties, properties with unusual construction, or those showing signs of significant defects. The surveyor inspects and assesses the property in more detail than a Level 2 and produces a more extensive written report. On-site inspection typically takes three to five hours, or a full day for larger or complex properties. The report takes longer to prepare and is typically delivered within five to ten working days of the inspection.

Booking Lead Times

The elapsed time from deciding to book a survey to receiving the report includes the booking lead time before the surveyor can visit. In busy markets or popular areas, surveyors may have a waiting list of two to three weeks for appointments. The on-site inspection can then happen within a day once the appointment arrives, with the report following a few days later. Total time from booking to receiving the report is typically one to three weeks.

Mortgage Valuation vs Survey

The mortgage valuation arranged by the lender is not a survey. It is a brief inspection designed to confirm that the property provides adequate security for the loan, typically taking 30 to 60 minutes. It does not provide the detailed condition assessment of a proper building survey. Buyers who rely solely on the mortgage valuation without commissioning their own survey are not getting an independent assessment of the property's condition.

Summary

A home buyer's survey takes two to four hours on site and the report is delivered within three to five working days. A full structural survey takes longer on site and up to ten working days for the report. Booking lead times mean the total elapsed time from booking to receiving the report is typically one to three weeks. Booking early in the conveyancing process ensures survey results are available before exchange of contracts.