A RICS Home Survey Level 1, previously known as a Condition Report, is a basic property survey. It will provide potential buyers with a simple overview of a home's condition. This includes the structure of the building, any maintenance concerns and the state of repair of the home.
As it’s a surface-level inspection designed to highlight obvious defects, the Level 1 survey cost is typically around £380 based on the average UK house price. Developed by RICS to help buyers identify major issues before committing to a purchase, the report will outline any areas of concern and provide useful insights about the property.
Below we look at when you may need a Level 1 Survey, how much it costs and what it includes.
The Level 1 Survey is recommended for conventional properties that are approximately less than 5 years old. The property must be in good condition with an easily accessible maintenance history. A condition report is also used when going for a survey when buying a flat. It can be used for new homes, however a Snagging Survey is the recommended survey for a newly built property.
This level of survey is not suitable for older buildings. It is also not recommended for unusually constructed homes or properties with known defects. There are other types of home surveys that offer deeper inspection.
For a more comprehensive report of a home, you may want to instruct a surveyor to conduct a Level 2 Survey. For older or unusual properties, the Level 3 Survey may be more suitable. The house survey prices for each will vary.
When Do You Need a Condition Report (Level 1 Survey)?
Any property survey should be arranged once your offer has been accepted on the home. It must be completed well before the sale concludes, ensuring you have time to review the findings.
A Level 1 Condition Report is not a legal requirement when buying a home, but it can provide you with essential information about the property.
When it comes to Scotland a Level 1 Condition Report is not used for the legal home buying process, as Scottish law requires a specific survey called a Home Report.
A RICS Level 1 survey, also known as a Condition Report, must be carried out by a RICS-registered surveyor. They will have the training needed to inspect the property and prepare the survey report.
Choosing the right surveyor matters. Look for someone with experience in Condition Reports and, where possible, the type of home you want inspected. We can help you find surveyors matched to your needs, so you can speak to trusted professionals and choose with more confidence.
How Much Does a Condition Report Cost?
A Condition Report costs around £380 based on the average UK house price of £270,000.
This will depend on the location, property size and its value. It will also depend on the surveying firm you opt for. This is why it is important to compare different surveyors.
Here are the average Condition Report costs depending on property value:
As this is a basic survey, the inspection of the home itself should only take around 2 hours. It will not be in-depth nor provide the same level of cover as the Level 2 or Level 3 surveys. Your report should be with you within 5 working days, depending on the surveying firm you use.
What’s Covered in this Survey?
As mentioned above, this is an elementary survey providing a simple overview of the home's condition.
It covers some of the common issues found in properties, plus any obvious surface-level issues. It will also advise on any legal issues that need to be addressed before the transaction is complete. The report includes information on the local environment and energy efficiency.
Like other property surveys, the report includes a ‘traffic light system’ to highlight any defects or damage. However, it does not include advice, recommendations or the cost of the expected repairs. It also doesn’t include a valuation of the property.
How to Read a Condition Report (Level 1 Survey)
Like other RICS surveys, the Level 1 Survey uses a ‘traffic light’ system to highlight any defects found. It’s an easy-to-use system that gives potential buyers a basic explanation of what needs attention in the home. As the name suggests, it is a colour-coded system based on three colours: red, amber and green.
Green
This refers to ‘Condition Rating 1’, indicating that the area referenced needs no repairs.
Amber
This refers to ‘Condition Rating 2’. This highlights areas that need repairing or replacing but are not considered urgent or serious. These areas are unlikely to impact the value of the home but will need some maintenance or repair in time.
Red
This refers to ‘Condition Rating 3’ and highlights defects that are urgent or serious. These problems may warrant re-negotiation based on potential repair costs or even cause the buyer to pull out of the sale.
A Level 1 survey has a limited scope, so it is not the right choice for every property. Before deciding, it is worth looking at the different property surveys available and choosing the one that best suits the home you want to buy.
A more detailed survey may be better if the property is older, unusual, in poor condition or has visible issues. A chartered surveyor can help you understand which level of inspection is suitable and explain what the report will cover.
We recommend choosing a qualified, experienced surveyor who understands the type of property you are buying.
1
Level 2 Survey
The Level 2 Survey, formerly known as a Homebuyers Survey, is available for many property types. It is suitable for conventional homes that are in good condition and fairly modern, typically up to 50 years old. This is the most popular and most recommended survey type.
2
Level 3 Survey
The Level 3 Survey, formerly known as a Building Survey, is recommended for homes that are older or in poor condition. It is also suited to properties made from unusual or non-conventional materials. This is the most thorough survey available and will give a breakdown of issues found in the home.
3
Snagging Survey
A Snagging Survey is designed for new build homes. A professional surveyor inspects the home to ensure everything is completed to a high standard and the snag list has been checked off. They will highlight any defects and compile a report of any issues they find. You can then address these with the home builder.
4
Valuations
The RICS Valuation Survey is a basic inspection that only indicates the value of the property. This is required when applying for a mortgage. It is often needed for changes in shared equity, shared ownership and legal reasons. It will only highlight any obvious damage that could affect the value and can be used for any property type. A valuation is not a survey and should not be treated as one.
Level 1 (Condition Report) vs Level 2 Survey (Homebuyers Survey)
A Level 1 survey is designed for new homes in good condition. These are homes that don’t need a thorough inspection. If you are buying a home that doesn’t fall into this category, you may want to opt for a higher level of survey.
If you want a mid-priced property survey that gives you a thorough report of the home's condition, it is worth considering the Level 2 Survey. This will provide a much more detailed summary of the condition of the home. This then allows you to determine whether it’s a worthwhile investment.
It is this detail that is lacking in the Level 1 Survey. This can be vital to the property transaction as it determines whether the asking price is reasonable compared to the cost of repairs.
Konnect You’s surveying companies are highly experienced and qualified. They can conduct a thorough investigation through either a Level 2 or Level 3 Survey.
Finding a Surveyor
Find a RICS surveyor with Konnect You. We connect you with up to 5 RICS-registered surveyors operating in your local area.
Fill in our short surveying form to get matched with checked professionals, review your options, and find a fair price for your survey. You could save up to 70% on your surveying costs.
Our surveying companies are regulated by RICS, which means they are RICS-registered surveyors. Every surveyor in our network has also passed our verification checks, so you can feel more confident that your Level 1 Survey is in safe hands.
Need a Removal Company?
After your survey and once the sale is complete, you may need to arrange a removal company.
Our form can also connect you with removal companies in your area, so you can find trusted professionals for the next stage of your move. We can match you with up to 5 surveyors and up to 6 removal companies.
