When buying a new house or flat, one of the most important steps you can take is to arrange for a survey by an independent building surveyor to ensure you understand the property's actual condition. This will enable you to avoid – or plan for – potentially expensive future repairs.
Our sister company, Stirling Ackroyd Chartered Surveyors, provides a range of residential surveys and essential, independent advice so that you are fully aware of the condition of the property you are buying prior to purchase. The two most popular surveys are the HomeBuyer Report and Building Survey.

Surveys completed annually
RICS qualified surveyors
Years of surveying expertise
Client satisfaction rate
Stirling Ackroyd Chartered Surveyors can also provide:
You can contact our survey team directly on 01932 736 507 or enquire online by clicking the button below.

Get an accurate valuation. Discover the true market value of your property with our expert valuation service.

Over 10,000 property surveys conducted annually through our surveying partners.
All our surveyors through Stirling Ackroyd are fully qualified members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Detailed, jargon-free reports that clearly highlight any issues and their implications for your purchase.
From basic HomeBuyer Reports to comprehensive Building Surveys, we offer the right level of inspection for your property.
We help you understand the survey findings and their implications, supporting you in making informed decisions.

Speak to one of our friendly agents for tailored advice.

A HomeBuyer Report is suitable for conventional properties in reasonable condition, providing a surface-level assessment using a traffic light system to highlight issues. A Building Survey (formerly called a Structural Survey) is more comprehensive, examining all accessible parts of the property and providing detailed advice on defects, repairs, and maintenance. Building Surveys are recommended for older or unusual properties, or those requiring renovation.
Survey costs vary depending on the type of survey and the property's value. HomeBuyer Reports typically range from £400-£950, while Building Surveys generally cost between £600-£1,500. While this may seem significant, the cost of a survey is minimal compared to the expense of dealing with undiscovered structural issues later on.
The physical inspection usually takes 2-4 hours for a HomeBuyer Report and 4-8 hours for a Building Survey, depending on the property's size and complexity. You typically receive the report within 3-5 working days after the inspection, though this can vary during busy periods.
While you generally cannot accompany the surveyor throughout the entire inspection due to professional indemnity insurance requirements, many surveyors are happy to meet you at the property either before or after their inspection to discuss any particular concerns you may have.
If significant problems are identified, you have several options: request that the seller fixes the issues before completion, negotiate a reduction in price to cover repair costs, seek quotes for remedial work to inform your decision, or in extreme cases, withdraw from the purchase. Our surveyors can advise on the most appropriate course of action based on the severity of the issues.