Previously known as a Building Survey (Level 3), the Level 3 Home Survey is the most comprehensive property inspection we offer. This in-depth home survey provides a detailed assessment of a property’s construction, condition, and any potential defects.
During the inspection, our expert surveyors conduct a thorough internal and external review of all accessible areas. The report uses a clear traffic light system to indicate the severity of any issues, helping you understand the condition of the property at a glance. If you have specific concerns, we can tailor your building survey to focus on particular areas of interest.
Any defects identified in the Level 3 Home Survey will be clearly described, with expert recommendations on how and when to address them. We also provide estimated repair costs, enabling you to plan maintenance effectively. While valuations and reinstatement costs for insurance purposes are not included as standard, we can provide them alongside your home survey for a small additional fee.
How do I know if I need a Home Survey (Building Survey)?
A Level 3 Home Survey, previously known as a Building Survey, is ideal for older, unusual, or non-standard properties. If you’re purchasing a period home, a listed building, or a property constructed with unconventional materials or techniques, this type of home survey provides essential insights into its condition and long-term maintenance needs.
For older homes—such as Edwardian, Victorian, or earlier properties—a building survey will assess both the original structure and any modern alterations or extensions. Our expert surveyors examine how traditional materials like lime mortar and brickwork interact with newer elements such as glass, PVC, or concrete. This helps identify potential issues that could arise from poor integration and ensures you have a clear understanding of the property’s overall condition.
If you’re unsure whether a Level 3 Home Survey is right for your property, our team is happy to advise based on your specific needs.
If a house has stood for decades (or centuries), why will it need a survey now?
Even the most well-built homes require ongoing maintenance, and there’s no guarantee that previous owners have given your period property the care it needs. Issues such as damp may have been covered up with paint, while hidden problems like timber decay could have gone unnoticed for years.
A Level 3 Home Survey provides a detailed assessment of the property’s structure and condition, helping to uncover any underlying defects. Without a professional home survey, it can be difficult to determine whether your house is in good shape for the next hundred years or if it’s in urgent need of repairs.
Investing in a building survey ensures you have a clear picture of the property’s long-term durability, allowing you to plan for necessary maintenance and avoid costly surprises.
Home Survey Level 3 Case Study
In September 2017, Able Surveyors carried out a Home Survey Level 3 (Previously known as a Building Survey) with a reinstatement estimate for a property in Shenfield, Essex. Just outside of Brentwood, we frequently work with homeowners and buyers in this area and are very familiar with the styles of property and the issues that commonly affect homes in Shenfield.
With the promise of a station connected to the upcoming Elizabeth line, property prices in and around attractive commuter towns like Brentwood and Shenfield have seen healthy growth over the last few years. Average values for flats have increased to around £287,000 and buyers can expect a detached family home to set them back by £790,000. In August 2017, the national averages for the same type of home were £225,943 and £369,588 respectively.
The home we visited was a five-bedroom detached property that had been built around 1960. Overall, we found the building to be in a reasonable condition with no defects that required urgent attention. There were several areas for improvement, however, ranging from small measures, such as insulating the pipes to the outside tap, to much more extensive work like installing uPVC windows and doors. You can see the full list of recommendations with cost guidance in section C of the report.
Primary areas of concern included:
• Evidence of leaking gutters
• Single-glazed casement windows have reached the end of their lifespan
• External walls with a damp reading of 22.5% WME (acceptable levels are 20% or below)
• Uneven flooring upstairs, although the investigation was limited by fitted floor coverings
• Glazed internal doors pose a potential risk to children
None of these matters affects the functionality of the property at this stage, but it is recommended that action is taken to ensure the ongoing comfort and good condition of the building. Certain measures have been suggested to protect the property from future damage, while others would maximise the potential value of the home.
To see the full level of detail provided in a Home Survey Level 3, including photographs and traffic-light ratings, please click on the link below for the PDF. If you still aren’t sure about the best survey for your home you can compare the Home Survey Level 3 with our other approved surveys, or contact our team for advice.
Why Choose Us?
- Able Surveyors have built up an excellent reputation for commercial property management services and specialist building surveys for homes and businesses in London and the Home Counties. From our offices in Essex and Central London, we deliver valuable, commercially focused advice and guidance to assist property owners, operators and managers of retail premises, industrial units, educational establishments and other business premises, as well as residential property, to make informed decisions about their asset acquisition, disposal or management.
- We have 25+ years of surveying experience and a seasoned team of Chartered Surveyors to put at your disposal. Our highly competent, motivated surveyors have a wealth of expertise dealing with different types of residential and commercial property in and around London, providing commercial property management services and building surveys for homes and businesses. If you are looking for valuable professional insights to help you get the most from your property investment or building management, you couldn’t be in better hands.
- Able Surveyors are proud to be a Chartered professional body. We comply with the strict code of conduct, rules and regulations and are regularly monitored for quality. That way, we can provide peace of mind to all clients that they will continue to receive the highest standards of service excellence. As experienced construction management professionals in the London area, we are proud members of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
- We offer a wealth of professional surveying and building-related services for residential and commercial property clients in Central London, Greater London and Essex. Our extensive service portfolio comprises the full suite of property surveys and valuations as well as in-depth surveys for specific defects or concerns, including detailed damp and subsidence investigations, and snagging reports for new-build property. For commercial landlords and tenants, we can help with Schedules of Condition and Dilapidation Surveys as well as Lease Extension Surveys and more.
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