Building Inspection Services
A flexible, general-purpose building inspection service suitable for a wide range of property types and situations. We combine elements of condition assessment, defect diagnosis and maintenance advice in a format tailored to your specific requirements.
Whether you need a condition check on an investment property, an independent assessment for an insurance claim, or a general inspection that does not fit neatly into a standard survey category, our building inspection service gives you the information you need in plain English.
Building Inspection Services
Our Home Surveyor & Property Valuer Accreditation & Professional Membership
Our Building Inspection Services are carried out by qualified surveyors who belong to the professional bodies that set UK property standards. Every report is prepared to recognised guidance and is completely independent, so you can rely on the findings when you buy, sell or value a home.
What Is a Building Inspection?
A building inspection is a flexible, general-purpose assessment of a property's condition that is tailored to your specific situation. Unlike standard home surveys which follow rigid RICS formats (Level 1, 2 or 3), a building inspection can be adapted in scope to cover exactly what you need — whether that is a broad condition overview, a focused check on specific elements, or an independent assessment for a non-standard purpose such as an insurance claim, neighbour dispute or periodic condition review.
What It Covers
- General visual inspection of the building fabric — roof, walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors
- Assessment of visible structural elements including load-bearing walls, lintels and beams
- Inspection of external areas — boundaries, paths, driveways, drainage and retaining walls
- Review of accessible services including plumbing, heating and electrical installations (visual only)
- Identification and description of visible defects with severity ratings
- A tailored written report with photographs, findings and recommendations
What It Does Not Cover
- A formal RICS Level 1, 2 or 3 survey report in the standardised format
- A market valuation or reinstatement cost assessment
- Specialist damp diagnosis or structural engineering assessment (dedicated surveys are available)
- Invasive or destructive testing — our inspections are visual and non-intrusive
- Testing of gas or electrical installations beyond a visual check
Is a Building Inspection Right for You?
A building inspection is ideal for non-standard situations where a traditional home survey may not be the best fit. Here is how to tell whether it suits your circumstances.
Suitable For
- General property condition checks
- Pre-purchase inspections for non-standard situations
- Periodic condition monitoring
- Insurance claim assessments
- Dispute resolution support
Not Suitable For
- Standard property purchases (use Level 2 or Level 3)
- Specialist structural or damp issues (dedicated surveys available)
Not sure which service you need? Speak to a surveyor for free, no-obligation advice tailored to your situation.
What Is Included in Our Building Inspection
Every building inspection we carry out includes the following as standard.
Tailored Inspection Scope
Inspection scope agreed with you in advance so you get exactly what you need — no more, no less.
Condition Assessment
General assessment of building fabric condition with traffic-light ratings for clarity.
Defect Identification
Identification and description of visible defects with severity ratings.
Plain English Report
Clear report written in straightforward language with supporting photographs.
Expert Advice
Direct access to your surveyor before and after the inspection to discuss findings.
External Inspection
Visual examination of roofs, chimneys, gutters, downpipes, walls, windows, doors and site boundaries from ground level (and adjacent levels where safely accessible).
Internal Inspection
Assessment of visible internal elements — ceilings, walls, floors, staircases, joinery and accessible roof spaces.
Colour Photographs
Photographs of all significant findings included in your report so you can see exactly what the surveyor saw.
How Our Building Inspection Process Works
From enquiry to report — straightforward and transparent.
Enquire
Contact us with the property details and a description of what you need. We respond within 24 hours with a fixed-price quote and a proposed inspection scope for your approval.
Book
Choose a convenient date once you are happy with the scope and price. We typically schedule within 5–10 working days of your instruction, subject to access and availability.
Inspect
The surveyor attends the property and carries out a thorough building inspection to the agreed scope, usually taking 1–3 hours depending on the size and complexity of the property.
Report
Your detailed building inspection report — including findings, photographs and recommendations — is delivered within 5 working days of the inspection.
Building Inspection Questions
What does a building inspection cover?
The scope of a building inspection is flexible and agreed with you in advance. A typical inspection covers the building's external envelope (roof, walls, windows, doors, chimneys, gutters), internal structure (ceilings, walls, floors, staircases), visible services (heating, plumbing, electrical where accessible), and the site (boundaries, drainage, paths, driveways). We can include or exclude specific areas depending on your requirements and the reason for the inspection.
How is this different from a home survey?
A home survey follows the standardised RICS format (Level 1, 2 or 3) and is designed for residential property purchases. Our Building Inspection Services are more flexible — the scope is tailored to your specific situation rather than following a fixed format. This service is often used in non-standard scenarios: insurance claims, neighbour disputes, periodic condition checks on investment properties or where a full RICS survey would be more than you need.
How much does a building inspection cost?
Our building inspection service starts from £250 plus VAT for a typical residential property. The exact price depends on the size of the property, the scope of the inspection agreed and the complexity of the building. We provide a fixed-price quote within 24 hours of your enquiry — the price we quote is the price you pay, with no hidden extras, no travel surcharges and no additional fees for any location within our seven counties (Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire).
Can I tailor the scope of the inspection to my specific needs?
Yes — this is the key advantage of our building inspection service over a standard home survey. The scope is agreed with you in advance and can be as broad or as focused as you require. For example, you might want a general condition overview of the whole property, or you might only need a specific element inspected — such as the roof, the external walls, or the drainage. We will discuss your requirements when you enquire and propose a scope that matches your situation before we quote a price.
How long does a building inspection take on site?
A building inspection typically takes between 1 and 3 hours on site, depending on the size of the property, the scope of the inspection and the complexity of the building. A small flat with a focused scope may take an hour; a large detached house with a broad inspection scope and multiple outbuildings may take up to three hours. The surveyor will examine every element within the agreed scope systematically and methodically. You are welcome to be present during the inspection — the surveyor can explain what they are looking at as they go and answer your questions on the spot.
Do you cover my area for a building inspection?
We provide building inspections across all seven of our counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Greater London and Oxfordshire. Every surveyor who works with us is based locally and understands the local building types, common construction methods and property issues in their area. There are no travel surcharges for any location within our coverage area — the price we quote is the price you pay regardless of where you are within our seven counties.
Get a Fixed-Price Building Inspection Quote
Free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours. Independent, impartial advice with no ties to contractors or treatment companies.