Residential Surveys
At Mutual Project, we provide professional residential property surveys and building inspections across London, helping homeowners, buyers, sellers and property professionals understand the condition of a property.
Our survey services range from RICS Home Surveys to more specialist inspections covering new-build defects, damp and timber, structural movement, building defects and roofing. Each survey is tailored to the property and the specific concerns or requirements of the client.
Whether you are buying a property, preparing to sell, investigating a defect or simply require a clearer understanding of a building's condition, our experienced surveyors provide clear, practical and independent advice.
1. RICS Home Surveys
Our RICS Home Surveys provide professional assessments of a property's condition at different levels of detail. The appropriate survey will depend on the property's age, type, construction and condition, as well as the level of information you require.
RICS Level 1 Survey – Condition Report
A Level 1 Survey provides a straightforward overview of the condition of a residential property. It highlights significant visible defects and areas requiring attention, giving you a basic understanding of the property's overall condition.
This survey is intended for properties where a simpler assessment is appropriate and should only be selected where the property's characteristics and your requirements make a Level 1 inspection suitable.
RICS Level 2 Home Survey
A RICS Level 2 Home Survey provides a more detailed assessment of the condition of a residential property. It highlights significant defects and issues that could affect the property or require further investigation.
It can be suitable for many conventional houses and flats where a buyer requires a clearer understanding of the property's condition before proceeding with a purchase.
RICS Level 3 Building Survey
A RICS Level 3 Building Survey provides a comprehensive assessment of the condition and construction of a property. It is particularly useful for older, altered, unusual or more complex properties where a greater level of inspection is required.
The survey provides greater detail on the property's condition and can identify areas where further investigation, maintenance or remedial work may be appropriate.
2. Property Purchase & Sale Surveys
Our property purchase and sale surveys provide independent information about the condition of a property at important stages of a transaction. They can help buyers understand potential issues before committing to a purchase and help sellers identify problems before putting their property on the market.
New Build Snagging Survey
A New Build Snagging Survey identifies visible defects, unfinished works and areas where the quality of construction or finish may require attention.
Our independent inspection helps homeowners identify potential snags that can be raised with the developer, giving you a clearer understanding of the condition and finish of your new home.
Pre-Purchase Survey
A Pre-Purchase Survey provides an independent assessment of a property's condition before you commit to buying. It can identify visible defects, maintenance issues and areas that may require further investigation.
Understanding the condition of a property before purchase can provide greater clarity when making one of the largest financial decisions you are likely to make.
Pre-Sale Survey
A Pre-Sale Survey assesses the condition of a property before it is marketed for sale. It can help identify defects and maintenance issues that may otherwise arise during the sales process.
Identifying potential problems early gives homeowners the opportunity to address relevant issues and provide prospective buyers with greater confidence.
3. Defect & Structural Surveys
Our defect and structural surveys are designed for properties where a specific problem or concern has been identified. These targeted inspections can help establish the nature of a defect, its likely cause and whether further investigation or remedial work may be appropriate.
Defect Diagnosis Survey
A Defect Diagnosis Survey investigates a specific defect or building problem affecting a property. The inspection focuses on understanding the visible symptoms, their likely cause and the areas that may require further attention.
This can be particularly useful where signs of deterioration, cracking, dampness or other building issues have been identified.
Damp & Timber Survey
A Damp & Timber Survey focuses on signs of dampness, timber deterioration and related building issues. The inspection can help identify areas of concern and provide an assessment of the condition of affected parts of the property.
Where appropriate, the findings can help determine whether further investigation or specialist remedial work may be required.
Structural Movement / Subsidence Inspection
A Structural Movement or Subsidence Inspection investigates signs that may indicate movement within a building. This can include cracking, distortion or other visible indications that require further assessment.
The inspection provides an independent assessment of the observed symptoms and can help determine whether additional investigation is recommended.
Building Defect Inspection
A Building Defect Inspection provides a focused assessment of an identified or suspected defect within a property. We investigate the visible symptoms and provide professional observations regarding their likely cause and significance.
This service can be useful where a homeowner, buyer or property professional requires a clearer understanding of a particular building defect.
4. Roof & Specialist Inspections
Our roof and specialist inspection services provide focused assessments of areas that may be difficult to inspect as part of a standard property survey. We can assess accessible roof areas and, where appropriate, use specialist inspection methods to provide additional information.
Roof Inspection
A Roof Inspection provides an assessment of the visible condition of a property's roof. We look for signs of deterioration, damage and other issues that may require maintenance, repair or further investigation.
A professional roof inspection can be particularly useful where concerns have been identified or where the condition of the roof needs to be understood as part of a wider property assessment.
Roof Space Inspection
A Roof Space Inspection assesses accessible areas within a property's roof space. The inspection can identify visible issues affecting the roof structure, insulation, ventilation and other accessible components.
The findings can provide useful information where concerns exist about the condition or performance of the roof space.
Drone Roof Survey
A Drone Roof Survey uses aerial imagery to assist with the inspection of areas of a roof that may be difficult or unsafe to access directly.
Drone technology can provide additional visual information about roof coverings and other external areas, helping identify potential defects or areas that may require closer inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which residential survey do I need?
The appropriate survey depends on the property's age, type, construction, condition and the level of information you require. A RICS Level 2 Home Survey may be suitable for many conventional properties, while a Level 3 Building Survey provides a more comprehensive assessment and may be more appropriate for older, altered or unusual properties.
What is a RICS Level 2 Home Survey?
A RICS Level 2 Home Survey provides an assessment of the condition of a residential property, identifying significant defects and issues that may require attention or further investigation.
What is a RICS Level 3 Building Survey?
A RICS Level 3 Building Survey is a comprehensive inspection providing greater detail about the condition and construction of a property. It can be particularly useful for older, unusual or substantially altered properties.
Should I have a survey before buying a property?
A survey can provide valuable independent information about the condition of a property before you commit to a purchase. It can identify defects and areas requiring further investigation that may not be apparent during a standard viewing.
What is a New Build Snagging Survey?
A New Build Snagging Survey identifies visible defects, unfinished works and issues with the finish or construction of a new property. It can help homeowners raise relevant issues with the developer.
What is a Pre-Purchase Survey?
A Pre-Purchase Survey provides an independent assessment of a property's condition before you buy. It can help identify defects, maintenance issues and areas that may require further investigation.
What is a Pre-Sale Survey?
A Pre-Sale Survey assesses the condition of a property before it is marketed for sale. It can help identify potential issues early and allow homeowners to address relevant defects before they become an issue during the sales process.
What is a Defect Diagnosis Survey?
A Defect Diagnosis Survey investigates a particular defect or building problem. The inspection focuses on understanding the visible symptoms, their likely cause and whether further investigation or remedial work may be appropriate.
What does a Damp & Timber Survey look for?
A Damp & Timber Survey focuses on signs of dampness, timber deterioration and related building issues. It can help identify areas of concern and whether further investigation or specialist remedial work may be required.
What is a Subsidence Inspection?
A Structural Movement or Subsidence Inspection investigates visible signs that may indicate movement within a building, such as cracking or distortion. The inspection can help determine whether further investigation is recommended.
What does a Roof Inspection cover?
A Roof Inspection assesses the visible condition of a property's roof and can identify signs of damage, deterioration or other issues that may require maintenance, repair or further investigation.
What is a Roof Space Inspection?
A Roof Space Inspection assesses accessible areas within a property's roof space. It can identify visible issues affecting the roof structure, insulation, ventilation and other accessible components.
What is a Drone Roof Survey?
A Drone Roof Survey uses aerial imagery to inspect areas of a roof that may be difficult or unsafe to access directly. It can provide additional visual information and help identify areas that may require further investigation.
What is a Building Defect Inspection?
A Building Defect Inspection provides a focused assessment of a specific defect or building issue. It can help establish the nature and likely cause of a visible problem and determine whether further investigation is required.
Do I need a specialist survey if I have noticed cracks?
If you have noticed significant or unusual cracking, a specialist inspection may be appropriate. The correct service will depend on the location, appearance and extent of the cracking and the characteristics of the property.
Can you inspect roofs that are difficult to access?
Where appropriate, specialist inspection methods such as drone surveys can provide additional information about areas that are difficult or unsafe to access directly. The appropriate approach will depend on the property and the nature of the inspection required.