Almost a Quarter of Home Buyers Skip Property Surveys: What the New Data Reveals
Buying a home is the single largest financial commitment most people will ever make. Yet new data from the UK property market reveals a striking and somewhat alarming trend: almost one in four buyers are completing their purchases without commissioning a professional property survey. Instead, many of these buyers are relying on their own gut instinct or the informal opinion of a friend or acquaintance "in the trade." It is a gamble that could cost thousands of pounds — and one that property professionals are urging buyers to reconsider.
What Does the New Data Show?
The latest research indicates that approximately 23–24% of home buyers in the UK are forgoing a property survey at the point of purchase. Among those skipping the process, the most commonly cited reason is that they trust their own judgment when assessing a property's condition. A significant number also say they are relying on a friend or family member who works in a relevant trade — such as a builder, electrician, or plumber — to give them an informal verdict on the home's condition.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with seeking a second opinion from someone with relevant expertise, an informal assessment is no substitute for a professionally conducted, legally recognised survey. A qualified surveyor carries professional indemnity insurance, follows recognised standards, and produces a detailed written report that can be used in price negotiations, legal processes, and future planning. A quick walk-around by a mate who "knows about houses" simply cannot replicate that level of scrutiny.
Why Are Buyers Skipping Surveys?
The reasons buyers give for avoiding surveys are varied, but they tend to cluster around a few key themes.
- Cost concerns: A homebuyer survey or building survey typically costs anywhere from £400 to over £1,500 depending on the property type and size. In a market where buyers are already stretching their finances to secure a home, this can feel like an unnecessary extra expense — especially when the purchase is already going through.
- Overconfidence: Many buyers, particularly those who have purchased property before, believe they can spot serious issues themselves. While experience helps, it is rarely a match for the trained eye of a chartered surveyor who knows exactly where to look for hidden problems.
- Speed and competition: In a competitive housing market, buyers can feel pressure to move quickly and avoid anything that might slow down or complicate their offer. Commissioning a survey can sometimes feel like introducing friction into an already nerve-racking process.
- Misplaced reliance on the mortgage valuation: Some buyers mistakenly believe that the valuation carried out by their mortgage lender also functions as a structural survey. It does not. A mortgage valuation is carried out for the lender's benefit — to confirm that the property is worth the loan amount — and it will not identify many of the defects a full survey would flag.
The Real Risks of Skipping a Survey
The consequences of purchasing a property without a professional survey can be significant. Hidden defects that go undetected before exchange of contracts become the buyer's problem the moment they complete. Structural issues, damp, subsidence, roof deterioration, unsafe wiring, and drainage problems are all examples of costly surprises that a surveyor is trained to identify — and that are not always visible to the untrained eye during a standard viewing.
Research by various consumer groups over the years has consistently shown that buyers who skip surveys are more likely to face unexpected repair bills after moving in. In some cases, those bills have run into tens of thousands of pounds. Even where issues are less severe, a survey report gives buyers a powerful tool to renegotiate the asking price or request that remedial work is carried out before completion — a financial benefit that can easily outweigh the cost of the survey itself.
What Type of Survey Should You Get?
For those who are unsure which level of survey is appropriate, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) sets out a clear framework.
- RICS Home Survey Level 1 (Condition Report): A basic, traffic-light style report suited to newer properties in good condition. It highlights urgent defects but does not go into great depth.
- RICS Home Survey Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report): The most popular choice for conventional properties in reasonable condition. It covers the condition of the main elements of the property and includes a market valuation.
- RICS Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey): The most comprehensive option, recommended for older properties, listed buildings, unusual constructions, or any home that appears to need significant work. It provides a detailed analysis of the property's structure and condition.
Speaking with a qualified surveyor before making a decision is always advisable. Many surveyors will offer an initial conversation free of charge and can help you determine which level of inspection is most appropriate for the property you are buying.
The Bottom Line: Don't Let Confidence Become Costly
Trust in one's own judgment is an admirable quality in many walks of life, but when it comes to one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, professional expertise matters. The data showing that nearly a quarter of buyers are skipping surveys should serve as a wake-up call — not just for buyers themselves, but for estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage advisers who have an opportunity to guide their clients toward more informed decisions.
The cost of a survey is modest when compared to the value of the asset being purchased. More importantly, it is small change compared to the potential cost of discovering a serious structural problem after the keys have changed hands. Before you exchange contracts on your next property, make sure a qualified surveyor has had the chance to take a proper look — because trusting your instincts alone is a risk the data increasingly suggests is not worth taking.