What Happens After a House Survey?

After a house survey, you will receive a written report explaining the surveyor’s findings and any visible defects, risks or areas that may need further investigation.

Your next steps may include speaking to the surveyor, getting repair quotations, raising legal matters with your solicitor, arranging specialist inspections or discussing the purchase price with the seller.

The important thing is to review the report before exchange so you have time to investigate anything significant before becoming legally committed to the purchase.

What should you do after receiving a house survey?

Once the report arrives, read it carefully from start to finish rather than looking only at the most serious condition ratings.

Make a note of anything you do not understand and highlight findings that could affect your decision, budget or future maintenance plans.

Pay particular attention to:

• Urgent or significant defects
• Recommendations for specialist investigations
• Repairs that may involve significant cost
• Legal matters to raise with your solicitor
• Potential ongoing maintenance liabilities
• Anything that could affect your decision to proceed

Should you speak to the surveyor after the report?

Yes. If anything in the report is unclear, speaking to the surveyor can help you understand the significance of the issue and what should happen next.

The surveyor may be able to explain whether a defect is relatively common, whether it needs urgent attention and whether further investigation or specialist advice is recommended.

What happens if the survey finds problems?

Finding defects does not automatically mean you should withdraw from the purchase. Many surveys identify maintenance issues or repairs that can be managed.

The first step is to understand:

• How serious the defect is
• Whether further investigation is required
• How urgently repairs may be needed
• What the likely repair cost could be
• Whether the issue changes your view of the property

Our guide to common property survey problems explains some of the defects frequently identified during surveys.

Should you get repair quotations after a house survey?

If the survey identifies potentially expensive work, obtaining repair quotations can give you a clearer idea of the likely financial impact.

This may be useful for issues involving:

• Roof repairs
• Damp or timber problems
• Drainage repairs
• Structural investigations
• External wall or render repairs
• Windows and joinery
• Other substantial maintenance work

Having realistic costs can help you decide whether to proceed, budget for the work or discuss the purchase price with the seller.

Should you send the survey report to your solicitor?

You should raise any relevant legal or documentary matters from the report with your solicitor or conveyancer.

These may include questions about:

• Extensions and alterations
• Planning permission
• Building regulations approval
• Boundaries
• Rights of access
• Leasehold responsibilities
• Shared building elements

The surveyor primarily considers the physical condition of the property, while your solicitor deals with legal ownership, documentation and enquiries.

What happens if damp is found in the survey?

The appropriate next step depends on the type, likely cause and extent of the dampness.

Where the cause cannot be established during the inspection, the surveyor may recommend further investigation before exchange.

You can read more about the different causes and warning signs in our guide to damp in properties.

Can you renegotiate after a house survey?

Potentially, yes. If the survey identifies significant defects that you were not aware of when making your offer, you may choose to discuss the purchase price with the seller.

A survey does not automatically entitle you to a price reduction, but evidence such as the survey findings and repair quotations can help inform the discussion.

Read our guide to renegotiating after a house survey for more information.

What if the survey recommends specialist investigations?

Some issues cannot be fully assessed during a general property survey and may require specialist advice.

This could include further investigation from a structural engineer, electrician, drainage specialist, roofing contractor or another suitably qualified professional.

Where further investigation is recommended, it is normally sensible to complete it before exchange if the findings could materially affect your decision to buy.

What if you arranged a Level 2 survey?

A Level 2 Home Survey provides clear information about visible defects and the condition of the property.

It may also recommend further investigation where concerns are identified, but it does not include estimated repair costs.

You can read more about what a Level 2 Survey covers.

What if you arranged a Level 3 Building Survey?

A Level 3 Building Survey provides more detailed reporting and, with Dunford Penrose Surveyors, includes estimated repair costs where appropriate.

This can make it easier to understand the potential financial implications of significant defects and plan your next steps.

What if the house survey is mostly reassuring?

A survey does not need to uncover serious problems to be useful.

If no major visible defects are identified, the report can provide reassurance while also highlighting routine maintenance issues that you may need to budget for after purchase.

What if serious problems are found?

If the report identifies significant concerns, avoid making a rushed decision. Establish what the issue is, whether further investigation is needed and what the likely repair implications are.

You may then decide to:

• Proceed with the purchase as agreed
• Obtain repair quotations
• Arrange specialist investigations
• Ask the seller additional questions
• Renegotiate the purchase price
• Ask the seller to address particular issues
• Withdraw from the purchase

Do you need to act before exchange?

Where possible, significant survey findings should be investigated before exchange of contracts.

Once you exchange, you are normally legally committed to the purchase, so completing important enquiries beforehand gives you the opportunity to make an informed decision.

If you have not yet arranged your survey, our guide explains when you should get a house survey.

What happens after a house survey? A simple checklist

• Read the full survey report
• Highlight significant defects and recommendations
• Ask the surveyor about anything you do not understand
• Obtain specialist investigations where recommended
• Get repair quotations for significant work
• Raise legal matters with your solicitor
• Consider whether the findings affect your budget or decision
• Discuss the purchase price with the seller if appropriate
• Resolve important issues before exchange

House survey next steps FAQs

What should I do first after getting a survey report?

Read the complete report and identify any significant defects, further investigations or legal matters that need attention before exchange.

Can I speak to the surveyor after receiving the report?

Yes. If you need clarification about a defect or recommendation, speaking to the surveyor can help you understand the significance and appropriate next step.

Can I renegotiate the house price after a survey?

You may choose to discuss the price with the seller if significant unexpected defects are identified. Repair quotations can help provide context for those discussions.

What happens if the survey finds serious problems?

You may need further investigations or repair quotations before deciding whether to proceed, renegotiate or withdraw from the purchase.

Should I show the survey to my solicitor?

Raise any legal or documentary matters identified in the report with your solicitor, particularly issues involving alterations, permissions, boundaries or leasehold responsibilities.

Should I complete further investigations before exchange?

If the findings could materially affect your decision to buy or the cost of ownership, it is generally sensible to complete recommended investigations before exchange.