How long after a house survey to completion?
- Completion happens roughly six weeks after your survey, but there are many factors which could shorten or delay this.
- If you’re feeling unsure, consider a more in-depth property survey. It’s more of an upfront cost but can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run.
- Top Tip: Regularly contact your conveyancer and the seller’s agent. Good communication can help iron out any wrinkles and keep things on track since the offer was likely subject to survey.
- Keep your cool, be proactive, and before you know it, you’ll settle into your new home.
Buying a house is a big deal, and once you’ve had the building survey done, the finish line might feel just around the corner. But how long is it from the survey to completion? Let’s break it down step-by-step so you know exactly what to expect and how to keep things moving smoothly.
You’ve had a property survey done – what’s next? Let’s talk timeframes. The timeline to completion can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the sale, how quickly issues are resolved, and how responsive everyone is.
On average, expect about 4-6 weeks, but it can stretch longer depending on the circumstances. You may find issues are discovered in either legal paperwork or defects in the survey which extends the timeframe.
The timeline after survey
- Searches - 1 to 3 weeks.
- Mortgage checks - 1 to 2 weeks.
- Deposit - the day of.
- Contract exchange - 1 to 2 weeks.
- Completion - the day of.
We go into these in more detail here.
How long does it take to get survey results?
If you book with SAM, your RICS surveyor will call you on the same day of the survey to share their findings. Their full report will be with you within 5 working days**, but if you're in a hurry, call our survey team on 0333 344 3234 to see if we can expedite your service.
Survey day - how long does a survey take?
On the day of the survey, a professional surveyor will inspect the property. This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day, depending on the size and condition of the property.
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How to speed up the building survey process
To make sure things go smoothly during the survey process, here are our top tips for getting a survey done quickly and efficiently:
Book your home survey in advance.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Schedule your survey as soon as your solicitor has received the draft contracts from the seller's solicitor, but do not leave it until after the exchange of contracts.
A tidy home makes a surveyor’s job easier.
The seller should clear away any clutter, especially from areas with common issues like damp spots, lofts, and basements.
When booking, ask your surveyor how long the report will take.
Knowing the expected timeline helps manage your expectations and planning. At SAM, our surveyors will call you on the same day of the survey and delivers the report within 5 working days**.
Check if your surveyor is happy to go over the results on the phone.
A quick chat can clarify any concerns and save you from misunderstandings. Our surveyors will call you same-day.
Take your time reading the building survey report thoroughly.
Make sure you grasp all the details and implications of any issues found.
Be prepared for your surveyor to recommend speaking to a specialist if there are concerns about specific parts of the property, like the roof or foundation.
Waiting for the report can be frustrating, especially if it took a while to organise. However, surveys can reveal potential deal-breakers before you’re legally bound to complete the purchase, making them well worth the wait. Being proactive and prepared can speed up the process, getting you closer to your new home faster.
Ready for your homebuyer survey?
We'll provide you with an experienced and local RICS surveyor from our nationwide network to meet your needs.
Get a quote now or call us on 0333 344 3234 to speak to a friendly member of our team. We specialise in property surveys and can even help with your mortgage valuation.
RICS Survey Level 2
This is a mid-level house survey that’s more detailed than a basic survey valuation but less thorough than a full structural survey. Expect to receive the results in about 3-5 working days.
RICS Survey Level 3
The more detailed survey is ideal for older properties or more unusual properties (also referred to as a full building survey). This can take about 5-7 working days to get the results back, as it involves a thorough examination of the property.
If you need help choosing between Level 2 and Level 3, our survey team will look up the address and explain your best choice at no extra charge.
What happens if my survey results are bad?
No one wants bad news, but sometimes house survey results reveal serious issues. Here’s what you might be facing:
Cost of repairs
Common issues found can range from damp and mould to structural problems and roof damage. Repair costs can vary widely – minor damp issues might cost a few hundred pounds, while significant structural repairs can run into thousands.
Communicating with the seller
Once you know the issues, it’s time to chat with the seller. You can request they fix the problems before proceeding, or you might negotiate a lower price to cover the repair costs.
16% of homeowners discover defects
In our recent survey, 16% of homeowners found defects; including 2% who were able to pull out of a bad purchase, 7% who were able to negotiate a better price, and sadly, 7% of homeowners who did not get a survey and discovered defects after the purchase.
12 of the 39 who remembered how much these defects cost to remedy spent over £5,000
Don't burn your money, book a survey.
Negotiation
Armed with your house survey report, you can renegotiate the price. Sellers might agree to drop the asking price or fix the issues, especially if they want to close the deal quickly.
Potentially pulling out
If the issues are too severe and the seller isn’t willing to budge, you might decide to pull out. It’s a tough call, but sometimes it’s better to walk away than to buy a money pit.
If the problems affect the property's overall value, your mortgage lender might withdraw or reduce their offer, so you may have no choice but to pull out.
Negotiating after the survey
Get quotes: If the house survey highlights issues, get quotes for the necessary repairs. This gives you concrete figures to discuss in negotiations with the seller.
Be reasonable: Remember, every house has some issues. Be realistic about what you’re asking for and understand the seller’s perspective.
Use your conveyancer: They’re your ally in this. Your conveyancer can help draft a formal request for repairs or a price reduction based on the survey findings.
Be prepared to walk away: If negotiations don’t go your way and the issues are significant, it’s okay to step back. Better to find a home that’s right for you.
What are the next steps after a survey?
Once you’ve navigated the house survey results and any negotiations, it’s time to move forward. Here’s the conveyancing home-buying process, in a nutshell:
Searches
Your conveyancer will carry out searches to check for things like local planning issues, flood risks, and any other factors that could affect the property. This typically takes 1-3 weeks.
Mortgage checks
Your mortgage lender will want to see the house survey report and may require further checks or valuations. This is usually straightforward but can add a week or two to the timeline.
Deposit
You’ll need to transfer your deposit to your conveyancing solicitor, ready for the exchange of contracts. This is typically 10% of the purchase price.
Contract exchange
This is the big one. Once everything is in place, you’ll exchange contracts with the seller. You must have your home insurance in place for exchange so compare quotes and pay for this in advance. Exchange makes the sale legally binding, and you’ll set a completion date—usually 1-2 weeks later.
Get your home movers booked in as soon as you have a completion date.
Completion
On the agreed date, the remaining funds are transferred, and you get the keys to your new home. Congratulations, you’ve completed!
Ready for your homebuyer survey?
We'll provide you with an experienced and local RICS surveyor from our nationwide network to meet your needs.
Get an quote now or call us on 0333 344 3234 to speak to a friendly member of our team.
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Caragh is an excellent writer in her own right as well as an accomplished copy editor for both fiction and non-fiction books, news articles and editorials. She has written extensively for SAM for a variety of conveyancing, survey and mortgage related articles.
