Buying your first home in Chiswick is a wonderful, nerve-wracking experience. You're making the biggest financial commitment of your life, navigating a process you've probably never been through before, and being given advice by estate agents, mortgage brokers and solicitors who all have different — sometimes conflicting — perspectives on what you should do.
One question that first-time buyers ask me constantly is: "Do I really need a survey? The estate agent says the property is in good condition."
I always give the same answer. Yes. Absolutely. And here's why.
What a Survey Actually Tells You
An estate agent's opinion of condition is based on what they can see during a sales viewing. They're not qualified to assess the structural integrity of a building, interpret signs of damp or movement, evaluate the state of the drainage, or estimate the likely lifespan of the roof. They're salespeople — and excellent ones often — but their job is to sell the property, not to protect your interests.
A RICS-accredited surveyor's job is entirely different. Our loyalty is to you, the buyer. We inspect the property systematically, from the chimney stacks to the drains, and we tell you what we find — good and bad. We're bound by professional standards and ethics. We carry professional indemnity insurance. We're accountable for what we say.
What Happens During a Survey
On survey day, your Chiswick Surveyors surveyor will arrive at the property — usually by prior arrangement with the estate agent. The survey typically takes between two and four hours depending on the property type and the level of survey commissioned.
We'll inspect systematically, covering:
- The external fabric: roof, chimneys, walls, windows, drainage
- The internal structure: walls, floors, ceilings, loft space
- Services: electrical, heating, plumbing (visual inspection only)
- Grounds and boundaries
- Any garages, outbuildings or ancillary structures
You're welcome to be present during the survey — we actively encourage it for first-time buyers. Being there helps you understand the findings in context and ask questions while we're on site.
Understanding Your Survey Report
Within 24–48 hours of the survey, you'll receive your written report. For a Level 2 Home Survey, this uses a traffic-light system: green (no concerns), amber (requires attention) and red (urgent action needed). For a Level 3 Building Survey, the report is more detailed and descriptive.
Reading a survey report for the first time can feel overwhelming. Don't panic. Here's how to approach it:
- Start with the summary. Your surveyor will highlight the most significant findings at the start of the report.
- Focus on the reds and ambers. The red (condition rating 3) items are what need immediate attention. The amber (condition rating 2) items are important but not necessarily urgent.
- Call us. We always follow up our reports with a phone call to first-time buyers. If there's something in the report you don't understand, ask.
What If the Survey Finds Problems?
Finding issues isn't necessarily bad news. In fact, it's often better to know before you exchange. Here are your options:
- Renegotiate the price. Use the survey findings and estimated repair costs to ask the seller for a reduction. This is entirely normal and most sellers expect it if a survey finds significant defects.
- Ask the seller to fix it first. For certain defects, you can make completion conditional on the seller carrying out repairs. This is more common for urgent issues like a leaking roof or failed damp-proof course.
- Walk away. If the survey reveals problems that are more serious than you're comfortable taking on, you can withdraw from the purchase. Yes, you'll lose the survey fee and some legal costs — but far better that than committing to a property with major structural problems.
Which Survey Do I Need as a First-Time Buyer?
For most first-time buyers in Chiswick purchasing a Victorian or Edwardian property, we recommend a Level 3 Building Survey. I know it's more expensive than a Level 2 — but for older properties, the additional detail is invaluable, particularly when you're new to the homebuying process and might not know what the amber and red flags actually mean without context.
If you're buying a modern, post-2000 flat in a purpose-built block, a Level 2 survey is usually appropriate.
Not sure? Contact us and we'll advise you based on the specific property you're buying.
Related Guides
- Level 2 vs Level 3 Survey: Which Do You Need?
- How to Use a Survey to Renegotiate Your Price
- All our survey services
Sarah Mitchell
RICS-accredited surveyor and registered valuer at Chiswick Surveyors. Has helped hundreds of first-time buyers navigate the survey process with confidence.