When Should You Get a House Survey?
A house survey is usually arranged after your offer has been accepted and before exchange of contracts, giving you time to understand the property's condition before you become legally committed.
When is the right time to book a house survey?
The best time to arrange a house survey is normally after the seller has accepted your offer but before you exchange contracts.
At this point you are progressing with the purchase, but you still have time to understand the property's condition, ask questions and investigate significant issues before becoming legally committed.
Quick answer
Book your house survey once your offer has been accepted, and make sure you have reviewed the findings before exchange of contracts.
Arranging the survey relatively early also gives you more time if the report recommends specialist investigation or if you want to obtain repair quotations.
Where does the house survey fit into the buying process?
Offer accepted
Once the seller accepts your offer, you can begin progressing the purchase and arranging your survey.
Survey arranged
The surveyor inspects the property and prepares the appropriate Level 2 or Level 3 report.
Review findings
Consider any defects, repair requirements or recommendations for further investigation.
Exchange
Ideally, resolve any important survey questions before the purchase becomes legally binding.
Why should you get a survey before exchange?
Exchange of contracts is normally the point at which the purchase becomes legally binding, so the survey is most useful when you have had time to consider the findings beforehand.
Before exchange, the survey may help you:
- Understand visible defects and condition concerns
- Assess possible repair requirements
- Ask the seller further questions
- Obtain contractor quotations where useful
- Arrange specialist investigation if recommended
- Discuss significant findings before proceeding
If you want to understand what comes next, read our guide to what happens after a house survey .
What happens if you leave the survey too late?
Leaving the survey until shortly before exchange can create unnecessary pressure if significant defects are identified.
Some findings may require further investigation, additional questions or contractor quotations. These can take time to arrange, particularly where a specialist needs access to the property.
Booking the survey earlier gives you more opportunity to properly understand the findings rather than feeling pressured to make a quick decision.
Should you wait for the mortgage valuation before booking a survey?
Some buyers choose to wait until their mortgage application has progressed before paying for a survey, particularly if they want some reassurance that the transaction is moving forward.
However, a mortgage valuation should not be confused with a buyer's property survey. The valuation is primarily for the lender, while the survey provides you with information about the visible condition of the property.
For more detail, read Do Mortgage Lenders Require Surveys? .
Which house survey should you arrange?
The right survey depends on the age, construction, condition and complexity of the property.
Dunford Penrose Surveyors carries out the same level of property inspection for both Level 2 and Level 3 surveys. The principal difference is the depth of reporting afterwards.
Level 2 Home Survey
A Level 2 Home Survey may be suitable for many conventional properties that appear to be in reasonable condition.
Level 3 Building Survey
A Level 3 Building Survey provides more detailed reporting and estimated repair costs where appropriate, making it particularly useful for older, altered, extended or more complex properties.
If you are unsure which is appropriate, read Building Survey vs Homebuyers Report .
What if the survey identifies problems?
Finding defects does not automatically mean you should withdraw from the purchase. Most properties have some maintenance requirements, particularly as they get older.
The important thing is understanding the significance of the findings and whether anything needs to happen before exchange.
Depending on the report, you might obtain specialist advice, request contractor quotations or discuss significant repair requirements with the seller.
Our guides to reading a house survey report and whether a house can fail a survey explain this in more detail.
More property survey guidance
For more advice on choosing a survey, survey costs, the buying process and understanding property defects, visit our Property Survey Help Centre .
When to Get a House Survey FAQs
When should you get a house survey?
You should usually arrange a house survey after your offer has been accepted and before exchange of contracts.
Should I get a survey before making an offer?
Most buyers wait until their offer has been accepted before arranging the survey, as they are then actively progressing with that particular property.
Can I get a survey after exchange?
You can, but it is usually much more useful before exchange because you still have time to respond to important findings before becoming legally committed.
Should I wait for my mortgage valuation first?
Some buyers choose to wait until the mortgage application has progressed, but a mortgage valuation is not a replacement for an independent property survey.
How soon after my offer is accepted should I book the survey?
It is sensible to start arranging the survey reasonably early so there is enough time to consider the report and investigate any significant findings before exchange.
What happens after the survey?
You can review the report, ask questions, obtain specialist advice or quotations where appropriate and decide whether any findings need to be addressed before the purchase proceeds.
Ready to arrange your house survey?
Tell Dunford Penrose Surveyors about the property you are buying and we can help you choose the most appropriate survey before exchange.
