Property buyer tools
Practical tools to help you choose the right survey
Use Aspect Surveying’s buyer tools to understand which RICS survey may be suitable, check visible property concerns, review wider property risk considerations and request a survey quote.
Recommended route
1
Choose the right surveyUse the survey guidance tool.
2
Check property concernsReview visible defects and risk factors.
3
Request survey adviceGet a quote for the right survey level.
Start here
Buyer tools
These tools are designed to help homebuyers make clearer decisions when buying a property.
They do not replace a RICS survey, legal advice or specialist investigation, but they can help you understand
what to consider before instructing a survey.
Which Survey Do I Need?
Answer a few questions about the property’s age, type, condition, alterations and visible concerns
to understand whether a RICS Level 2 Home Survey or RICS Level 3 Building Survey may be more suitable.
Property Defect Checker
Select visible concerns such as damp, cracking, roof defects, timber decay or movement and receive
general guidance on possible next steps.
Homebuyer Risk Snapshot
Review EPC information, long-term flood risk guidance, radon guidance, coal mining considerations
and conservation area screening before purchase.
How to use the tools
A simple buyer workflow
If you are unsure where to start, use this step-by-step route.
1
Use the survey guidance tool
Start by checking whether Level 2 or Level 3 may be more suitable for the property.
2
Check visible defects
If you have noticed damp, cracks, roof issues or timber decay, use the defect checker.
3
Review wider risk factors
Use the Risk Snapshot for EPC, flood, radon, coal mining and conservation area considerations.
4
Read relevant guides
Use the Property Guides Hub to understand common survey and defect issues in more detail.
5
Request a quote
Tell us about the property and we can quote for the appropriate survey level.
6
Proceed with confidence
Use the survey findings to understand condition, risks, repairs and possible next steps.
Survey choice
Not sure whether you need Level 2 or Level 3?
The right survey depends on the property’s age, type, construction, condition, alterations and any visible defects.
A Level 2 Home Survey may be suitable for conventional properties in reasonable condition, while a Level 3 Building
Survey may be more appropriate for older, altered, extended or visibly defective properties.
Quick guide
- Level 2: conventional property, reasonable condition
- Level 3: older, altered, extended or visibly defective property
- Level 3: more detailed repair and maintenance advice
- Use the tool if you are unsure which route is right
Property concerns
Tools linked to common buyer concerns
If you have already noticed a concern at the property, these routes may help you decide what to read or do next.
Damp or mould
Use the defect checker, then read the damp and moisture guides.
Cracks or movement
Review structural defects and consider whether Level 3 may be more suitable.
Older property
Older homes often benefit from more detailed inspection and maintenance advice.
Wider property risk
Check EPC, flood, radon, coal mining and conservation area considerations.
Ready to request survey advice?
Tell us about the property and we will respond with a suitable survey quote.
If the property appears older, altered, extended or higher risk, we may advise that a Level 3 Building Survey is more appropriate.
environmental search, flood report, radon report, coal mining search, specialist inspection or professional assessment
of a specific property.
