Home Inspection in Durham

Read the summary of major defects first, then decide: proceed, renegotiate the price, ask the seller to fix items, or walk away. Get quotes for any big-ticket findings so your negotiation is grounded in real numbers. A good report is a negotiating tool, not just a formality.

Often yes — many standard inspections exclude timber pests (termites) and invasive moisture testing. In termite-prone or damp-prone regions, a combined building-and-pest inspection or a specialist damp report is money well spent. Ask exactly what's included and what's excluded before booking.

A typical house takes two to three hours on-site, with the written report following within a day or two. Larger or older homes take longer. Attend if you can — walking the property with the inspector at the end turns a PDF into a practical to-do list and lets you ask about severity.

Depth varies: a basic condition/homebuyer report suits newer, conventional homes, while a full structural/building survey suits older, larger or altered properties and costs more. New builds get a 'snagging' inspection for defects before handover. Match the level to the property's age and complexity, not just the lowest quote.

A RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report commonly runs £400-1,000 and a Level 3 Building Survey £600-1,500+, scaling with property value and size. New-build snagging surveys typically £300-600.

Level 2 (HomeBuyer) suits conventional, reasonably modern homes in decent condition; Level 3 (Building Survey) is for older, larger, listed or heavily altered properties where you need detail on construction and defects. When in doubt on an older home, pay for Level 3.