The RICS Home Survey Level 1 offers a cost-effective, entry-level assessment for conventional properties in good condition across Cheshire and Greater Manchester. This survey is ideal for home buyers, particularly first-time buyers or property investors, seeking a snapshot of a property’s overall condition without the depth and expense of higher-level surveys.
What is a RICS Home Survey Level 1?
The RICS Home Survey Level 1 is a service designed to provide a concise overview of a property’s condition. The survey includes a visual inspection of the inside and outside of the main building and any permanent outbuildings, documenting the construction and highlighting visible defects that are evident at the time of inspection.
Following the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Home Survey Standard, our Level 1 survey uses a clear ‘traffic light’ rating system to identify the condition of different elements of the property, making it easy to understand areas of concern:
- Condition Rating 3 (Red): Defects that are serious and require urgent repair, replacement, or further investigation
- Condition Rating 2 (Amber): Defects that need repair or replacement but are not considered serious or urgent
- Condition Rating 1 (Green): No current issues – normal maintenance required
What’s Included in the RICS Home Survey Level 1?
Our Level 1 survey provides essential information about the property’s condition, including:
- An inspection of all visible and accessible parts of the property
- Clear ‘traffic light’ condition ratings for key elements
- A summary of the risks to the building’s condition
- Identification of any serious defects that may affect your decision to buy
- Information for your legal advisers regarding planning, building regulations, and other legal matters
- Energy efficiency information (where an EPC is available)
The Survey Process
When you commission a RICS Home Survey Level 1, our process includes:
- Initial consultation to understand your specific requirements and concerns
- Arrangement of a convenient time for the survey
- Visual inspection of the property by a qualified RICS chartered surveyor
- Preparation of a concise, easy-to-understand report
- Delivery of your report within 5 working days
- Follow-up discussion to explain findings and answer any questions
The inspection does not include invasive testing, moving of furniture, lifting of floor coverings, or checking services (such as electrics or plumbing).
Why Choose a RICS Home Survey Level 1?
This entry-level survey is particularly suitable for:
- Conventional properties (houses, flats, bungalows) in apparently good condition
- Properties built from common building materials with standard construction
- First-time buyers looking for an economical option
- Property investors requiring essential condition information
- Anyone buying a newer property in a good state of repair
- Time-sensitive purchases where a quick assessment is needed
While the Level 1 survey provides valuable insights, a more comprehensive Level 2 or Level 3 survey may be appropriate if the property is older, larger, more complex, or if you’re planning significant renovations.
Choosing the Right Survey
If you are unsure about which survey you might need, then contact us. Or go to our Survey Comparison page, where you can see what features are included in each survey level, and use our Survey Selector tool.
Professional Qualifications
All our Level 1 surveys are conducted by experienced Chartered Surveyors who are full professional members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), either MRICS or FRICS.
Our surveyors have extensive local knowledge of property issues specific to Cheshire and Greater Manchester, including common property types found in areas such as Manchester, Stockport, Wilmslow, Altrincham, and Chester.
