A short conversation before instruction can prevent a mismatch between the survey you expect and the service delivered. The aim is not to test the surveyor with technical questions, but to establish whether they understand the property and can provide the level of advice you need.
Give accurate information in return. Share the particulars, alteration history where known, visible concerns and intended use. Surveyors rely on agreed terms and reasonable access, so the discussion should cover both what will be done and what will remain outside scope.
Suitability and experience
Ask which survey level the surveyor recommends and why. A conventional property in reasonable condition may suit Level 2, while an older, altered or neglected home may need Level 3. Rules based only on price or age can miss important complexity.
Ask about recent experience with comparable buildings: period terraces, converted flats, modern apartments or non-standard construction. Confirm who will inspect, their qualification and whether the firm is RICS regulated.
Scope and limitations
Ask how roofs, lofts, drainage, services, grounds and common parts will be approached. The answer should acknowledge safe access and visual-inspection limits rather than promise that every element will be reached or tested.
Confirm excluded work such as asbestos sampling, electrical testing, drainage surveys, structural calculations or opening-up. If you need valuation, repair-cost or specialist advice, establish whether it is available as an agreed addition.
Reporting and communication
Ask to see a representative anonymised report and whether a post-report discussion is available. Find out how urgent defects, further investigations and legal matters are presented. Clear communication matters as much as technical vocabulary.
Confirm current inspection and report availability without treating it as an unconditional guarantee. Ask whom to contact if access changes or a significant concern emerges before inspection.
- Which level fits this property and why?
- Who will inspect and what relevant experience do they have?
- What cannot be inspected or tested?
- Are valuation or other additions included?
- Can I discuss the report afterwards?
Terms and consumer protection
Read the fee, payment terms, liability provisions, cancellation arrangements and complaints procedure. RICS requires clear terms matched to the specific instruction. Ask about anything you do not understand before accepting them.
A regulated firm should explain its complaints process and alternative dispute resolution arrangements. Professional regulation does not guarantee a defect-free property, but it provides standards and routes for addressing service concerns.
Advice for your property
Get the right professional inspection
Online guidance is useful, but it cannot account for the construction, condition and history of an individual property. Tell us what you are buying or need valued and we will explain the appropriate service.
Authoritative sources and further reading
The guide is general information, not property-specific, structural, legal, tax or financial advice. Source pages can change; consult the relevant professional for your circumstances.