The Best Building Survey if You're Buying an Older Property

Buying a property is a big decision by anyone's standards, which is why it's important to view one with a practical hat on rather than being ruled by your heart.

Falling in love with an amazing house you've viewed at face value is fine as long as you also think about what you can't see. Looking beneath the surface is especially important if you're interested in buying an older home. Whether it's a large detached place, a top-floor flat or a converted maisonette, it's better to get a survey that can help flag up any hidden costs before you sign on the dotted line.

Choose the Right Survey for an Older Property

For home hunters moving up the ladder or landlords eyeing up their next investment, choosing the right survey, particularly when you're purchasing a period property, therefore can be key. If you need to consider the range of surveys available in relation to the property you're interested in, this guide by Squarepoint Chartered Surveyors lists the scope of options, including:

• Dilapidation Survey
• Property Condition Survey (also referred to as a property condition assessment or PCA)
• HomeBuyer Survey (also known as a HomeBuyer Report)
• Specific Defect Survey
• Level 1 Condition Report; a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS Survey
• Level 2 Survey (a RICS Survey)
• Level 3 Building Survey (a RICS Survey) or Structural Survey

Although all surveys offer a thorough inspection that will assess the different aspects of your prospective home's condition, the most suitable one depends on its current age and condition. For those generally built before 1940, or with unusual construction features, the Level 3 Building Survey (Structural Survey) is the most appropriate choice. It provides the most detailed exploration which is invaluable and includes:

• a comprehensive inspection of all accessible parts of the property
• assessment of the building's structural integrity, movement and subsidence
• identification of major and minor defects
• advice on repair and maintenance options
• roof deterioration and potential leaks
• evaluation of the property's construction methods
• detailed reporting on damp issues including rising damp and penetrating moisture
• timber defects such as woodworm or dry rot

A survey's level of detail allows you to enter negotiations with complete awareness about any issues. Surveys can also point to problematic issues already there and those more likely to occur in older buildings, such as outdated electrics, ageing plumbing infrastructure or inadequate insulation, and energy-efficiency concerns. All the information can potentially save you money on price renegotiations, or point you towards reconsidering the sale altogether.

Identify Unique Aspects About Historic Homes

While you might not be sure about the history of certain parts or features of a property that you're interested in buying, a surveyor can help determine the areas that have been converted, refurbished and modernised in the past. For much older buildings and architectural guidance, Historic England can help you decipher the exact age and background of a building.

There is no denying that today's house hunters have an ongoing love affair with period homes with rich architectural features, a social history and areas that can be sympathetically extended and modernised with energy efficient and chic upgrades. If you have set your heart on that Victorian terrace or charming Edwardian semi, understanding the property's overall condition remains key.

Typically, these same homes that are brimming with character will come with a unique set of challenges that can develop over time. This might include sash windows that need constant repairing, slate tiles or flint walls that are hard to restore, or traditional brickwork that requires specialist attention.

If you're planning to renovate down the line, surveys can be valuable in pinpointing potential concerns that might impact your ideas for a loft conversion, double-glazed windows or side extension. Similarly , if you want to carry out renovations with respect to the building's age, style and character, such a report becomes a vital tool for planning your approach.

Whether you're intending to restore period features sympathetically or create a modern living space, the details garnered from a survey are excellent for negotiating an asking price or budgeting for projects, helping you to:

• prioritise urgent structural repairs
• create a realistic renovation budget
• identify issues that might impact your future design plans
• understand whether planning permission or building regulations approval might be needed
• assess whether specialist contractors will be required
• plan phased improvements if working with limited funds

Future-Proof Your Investment

Paying for a survey can seem like a lot of money to spend upfront but it's not when you take into account how much major roof repairs or rewiring an entire house might cost you after you've moved. It's more helpful to be alerted by a surveyor about whether the structure of a decades-old house is robust than to find out after you buy. Surveys can help you to make an informed decision about buying a property, keep a sale on track and protect your investment going forward.

When purchasing an older property, a full structural survey is more than an optional extra—it's an essential resource for what is likely to be one of the biggest investments of your life. The detailed information available will help you avoid costly surprises, plan renovations effectively, and negotiate with confidence.

Image is from a beautiful detached thatched house with wrap-around gardens in Selsey, Chichester. For sale in June 2025. For more details see the full listing here