Trusted RICS
Surveyors
in Portsmouth, Hampshire

A Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey (sometimes called a homebuyer report) is ideal for conventional properties built after 1900 that appear in reasonable condition. It uses a traffic light system to grade defects and highlights any urgent matters, damp or potential issues. A Level 3 Building Survey is far more detailed and covers the full building fabric — including structural issues, subsidence, roof void, and cavity wall construction. It's the right choice for older or more complex properties, such as Portsmouth's Georgian terraces in Old Portsmouth or extended Victorian terraces in Southsea. For any property over 100 years old, we almost always recommend a Level 3 survey.

The on-site inspection typically takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the size and type of property. A standard two-bedroom Victorian terrace in Southsea usually takes around 2–2.5 hours. A larger Georgian townhouse or extended property can take 3–4 hours. After inspection, your written survey report is usually delivered within 3–5 working days. If you have an urgent deadline (for example, exchange of contracts is imminent), let us know and we'll do everything we can to prioritise your report.

Yes — absolutely. This is one of the most important things we tell every client. A mortgage valuation is not a survey. It is a very brief assessment carried out purely for the lender's benefit, confirming the property is worth enough to secure the loan. It does not check the overall condition of the property, identify structural issues, or flag damp and potential issues. Many buyers in Portsmouth have been caught out by relying on a mortgage valuation alone — only to discover costly problems after moving in. A professional survey in Portsmouth protects your investment and gives you quality advice before you commit.

Yes. Portsmouth Surveyors UK is regulated by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), which is the gold standard of the surveying profession in the UK. All our surveyors are RICS-accredited and are required to adhere to RICS's strict professional standards, ethics and continuing professional development requirements. Several of our team are also accredited under CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) and RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association). This means you benefit from full consumer protection and the assurance that every survey is carried out to the highest professional standards.

We cover the whole of Portsmouth and its surrounding areas, including Southsea, Old Portsmouth, Gunwharf Quays, Fratton, North End, Cosham, Hilsea and Portsmouth's unique coastal neighbourhoods. We also cover much of Hampshire, including Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Waterlooville, Havant, Chichester and the surrounding areas. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, just get in touch — we're usually able to accommodate requests across the wider South of England.

Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must notify your neighbours in writing before starting certain types of building work — including extensions, loft conversions and underpinning. If a neighbour objects, both parties must appoint party wall surveyors (or agree to use a single 'agreed surveyor') to draw up a Party Wall Award. Given that much of Portsmouth is made up of terraced properties sharing party walls, this is a very common requirement. Our surveyors act for both building owners and adjoining owners, and will guide you through the whole process to keep your building project moving.

Survey costs in Portsmouth depend on the type of survey and the size and value of the property. As a guide: a Condition Report starts from around £250; a Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey starts from around £350; a Level 3 Building Survey starts from around £550; and a RICS Property Valuation starts from around £300. Given that a survey might uncover issues worth tens of thousands of pounds in repair costs — or save you the same in negotiating the purchase price down — a professional survey represents outstanding value. Contact us for a personalised, fixed-price quote.