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RICS LEVEL 2 SURVEY & HOMEBUYERS SURVEY
Buying a house or flat? A RICS Level 2 Home Survey gives you a clear, independent assessment of the property's condition before you commit to your purchase.
At AMS Surveys, our RICS Level 2 Home Surveys are carried out by experienced Chartered Building Surveyors across Liverpool, Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, the Wirral and North Wales.
A Level 2 survey is designed for conventional houses, flats and bungalows that are in reasonable condition. We inspect accessible areas of the property and highlight significant defects, risks, maintenance issues and repairs that could affect your decision to buy.
Our reports are written in clear, practical language, so you can understand what we've found without having to work through unnecessary technical jargon.
We at AMS Surveys offer RICS Level 2 Surveys from £450 inc. VAT.
WHAT DOES A RICS LEVEL 2 SURVEY INCLUDE?
A RICS Level 2 Home Survey is a visual inspection of the property designed to identify significant defects and potential risks before you buy.
Depending on the property and accessibility, our surveyors assess areas including:
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Roof coverings and visible roof structure
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Chimneys, flashings and roof drainage
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External walls, brickwork, render and pointing
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Windows, doors and external joinery
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Evidence of damp and moisture
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Floors and ceilings
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Internal walls and partitions
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Visible signs of structural movement
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Roof spaces where safely accessible
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Accessible drainage chambers
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External areas, paths and boundaries
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Visible services and installations
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Signs of timber decay and other significant defects
Your report will explain the condition of the main elements inspected, identify significant defects and highlight areas where repairs, maintenance or further investigation may be required.
What isn't included in a Level 2 Survey?
A Level 2 survey is a visual inspection and is not an invasive investigation. Surveyors do not normally lift fitted floor coverings, open up walls, dismantle construction or carry out specialist testing of services.
If the property is older, heavily extended, unusual or appears to have significant defects, a RICS Level 3 Building Survey may be more appropriate.
WHAT IS THE RICS LEVEL 2 HOME SURVEY?
A RICS Level 2 Survey, formerly known as a Homebuyer Report, is a visual inspection designed for conventionally built properties in reasonable condition. It identifies significant issues such as dampness, subsidence, and structural concerns, providing a clear overview without invasive procedures.
WHY CHOOSE AMS SURVEYS?
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Chartered Expertise: RICS-accredited surveyors with extensive local knowledge.
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Comprehensive Reports: Detailed yet accessible reports to guide your property decisions.
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Prompt Service: Efficient turnaround times to meet your deadlines.
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Client-Centric Approach: Dedicated support throughout the surveying process.

IS A LEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3 RIGHT FOR YOU?
The right survey depends on the property type and level of risk. Most modern, conventional homes are suitable for a Level 2 Homebuyer Survey, while older or altered properties often benefit from a Level 3 Building Survey.
Not sure which survey you need?
Tell us about the property, and we'll recommend the most appropriate survey. We won't recommend a Level 3 Survey when a Level 2 Survey is suitable.
Featuring | Level 2 Survey | Level 2 Plus | Level 3 Survey |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Modern homes in reasonable condition | Modern homes where you want greater cost certainty | Older, extended or more complex properties |
RICS survey level | Level 2 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
Inspection and condition assessment | ✓ | ✓ | In-depth |
Significant defects identified | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Photographs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Priority Condition ratings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Repair and maintenance advice | Essential advice | Essential advice | Detailed advice |
Analysis of defects | Appropriate to Level 2 | Appropriate to Level 2 | Detailed analysis and explanation |
Older or heavily altered properties | May not be suitable | May not be suitable | ✓ Recommended |
Unusual construction | May not be suitable | May not be suitable | ✓ Recommended |
Budget repair costs | Optional upgrade | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
Drone roof inspection | Optional upgrade | Optional upgrade | ✓ Included |
Pre-survey consultation | Standard client support | Standard client support | ✓ One-to-one with your Surveyor |
Post-survey consultation | Call with Surveyor | Call with Surveyor | ✓ One-to-one with your Surveyor |
Listed building option | Not normally recommended | Not normally recommended | *Upgrade to Historic Building Survey |
Overall detail | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
*Buying a Listed Building?
Upgrade your Level 3 to an AMS Historic Building Survey for specialist advice on historic fabric, traditional materials, conservation and sympathetic repair.
HOW MUCH DOES A LEVEL 2 SURVEY COST & WHAT DOES AMS SURVEYS CHARGE?
The cost of a RICS Level 2 Home Survey depends on the property's size, location, age, construction and complexity.
At AMS Surveys, RICS Level 2 Home Surveys start from £450 inc. VAT.
The price may increase for larger or more complex properties, or where additional services are required.
For example, we can also provide optional services such as:
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High-definition drone roof surveys
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Budget cost estimates for identified repairs
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Additional specialist investigations where required
Rather than choosing a survey based solely on price, it's important to make sure you're paying for the right level of inspection for the property you're buying.
Request a quote from AMS Surveys and we'll confirm the appropriate survey level and provide a clear price for your property.
Found significant defects in your survey?
A survey can sometimes provide useful evidence when discussing the property's condition and potential repair costs with the seller. Read our guide to "Can You Negotiate House Price After a Survey?" to understand what you can do next.
LEVEL 2 HOMEBUYER SURVEYORS NEAR YOU
Our Chartered Building Surveyors operate across England and Wales, with strong regional coverage in Liverpool, Wirral, Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Shropshire and North Wales.
We regularly advise on residential property across urban, suburban and rural areas, including traditional housing stock, modern developments, conversions and extensions, supported by local surveyors with detailed regional knowledge.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RICS LEVEL 2 HOMEBUYER SURVEYS ACROSS THE NORTH WEST AND NORTH WALES
Call your local AMS Surveys, based in Liverpool. Serving North Wales, Manchester, Preston and Chester.
GET OUR RICS LEVEL 2 SURVEY EXAMPLE
When you request a quote, we'll happily send you an example report, so you know exactly what to expect and can see the true quality of our homebuyers reports.

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