The Good Surveyor

10/06/2026

Great article from Cheltenham Civic Society about conservation areas and in many of the areas we survey it is often to find houses are within these areas and their rules and guidelines that can affect development.

04/06/2026

UPDATE: We received an overwhelming response to this appeal and our stores are now full! Thank you to everyone who helped us in our time of need. If you still have items to donate we would be very grateful if you could wait a month or two before dropping them off.

We are currently running very low on essential bedding supplies and would be incredibly grateful for donations of:

✅ Blankets
✅ Towels
✅ Non-feather duvets

These items help keep the animals in our care warm, comfortable and cosy while they wait for their forever homes. With so many pets relying on us every day, our stock is being used up quickly and we are now in urgent need of replenishment.

If you have any clean, unwanted blankets, towels or non-feather duvets tucked away at home, please consider donating them to help our Shelter residents. Every donation, no matter how big or small, makes a real difference and helps us provide the comfort and care our animals deserve.

Donations can be dropped off in our donations shed 8am to 6pm weekdays and 8am to 4:30pm at weekends. Thank you for your continued support – our dogs, cats and small animals really do appreciate it! ❤️🐾

03/06/2026

A new client left this note on their forms
"I wasn't referred by anyone, but from my very first conversation with Mike, I knew I'd come to the right place. He was calm, knowledgeable, and genuinely understanding of my situation. Nothing I said seemed to faze him or was too much trouble to answer."
such lovely words about Mike! This is before we have even conducted the survey :-)

01/06/2026

"Mike completed a level 2 survey on the house we're buying stc and was incredibly professional and quick. He rang the same day with very detailed notes and sent the in depth report within 4 days! Extremely impressed and would thoroughly recommend."

30/05/2026

What a lovely property, as Leon says so so much potential!

25/05/2026

In 2026, the average cost of a house survey in the UK typically ranges from £300 to over £1,500.
Prices have increased due to inflation and tighter reporting expectations, though they remain a small fraction of your total purchase cost and often result in renegotiations that assist in your covering the cot of the survey indirectly.
Typical Survey Costs by Level (2026)
Level 1 (Condition Report) £300 – £600 Modern, simple homes 2000 onwards.
Level 2 (Homebuyer Report) £450 – £1000 Conventional properties in reasonable condition.
Level 3 (Building Survey) £750 – £1,500+ Older, altered, or complex properties.
Key Factors Influencing Cost
Property Value: High-value homes (e.g., £500k+) carry more liability, so surveyors charge more to cover increased insurance.
Property Age: Homes built before 1900 can add 20–40% to the basic fee due to increased structural complexity.
Extras: Adding a formal market valuation to a Level 2 report typically adds £200+
📍 Note: For properties worth over £1 million, expect to pay upwards of £1,500 for a full Level 3 survey.
Specialist Add-On Costs
If your main survey flags specific concerns, you might need:
Damp Survey: £150 – £400.
CCTV Drainage Survey: £100 – £300.
Structural Engineer Report: £300 – £800 (for specific movement issues).
And if the property is brand new a new Build Snagging Survey may be more appropriate: £300 – £600.
At The Good Surveyor we are never the cheapest, and never the soonest! We are popular and offer a quality service with an in-depth report and a lot of after-care! Our Level 1 starts at £500, our level 2 at £600 and our level 3 at £1200, all including VAT. If you want a quote just drop us a message or email at [email protected]

22/05/2026

Level 1 vs. Level 2: The "Health Check" vs. The "Deep Dive"
When you are buying a relatively new, standard home, you might wonder if you need a full inspection or just a basic overview. This is where the choice between a Level 1 and Level 2 report comes in.
The RICS Level 1: Condition Report
Think of this as a basic "traffic light" summary. It is the most affordable and concise option.
Best for: Very modern properties in excellent condition built since 2000.
What you get: A snapshot of the property’s condition. It uses a red/amber/green rating system to highlight urgent defects.
The downside: It is very high-level. It won't give you advice on repairs or maintenance, nor will it look deep into the "bones" of the building.
The RICS Level 2: HomeBuyer Report
This is the most popular choice for the average UK house hunter. It is much more detailed than a Level 1.
Best for: Mid-aged properties (1930s onwards) that are in reasonable condition and haven't been heavily modified.
What you get: Everything in Level 1, plus an assessment of maintenance and more detail on construction.
The Key Difference: While Level 1 just tells you something is broken, Level 2 tells you how it might affect the property and what needs to be done.
The Verdict: Unless you are buying a house built in the last 25 years, most experts recommend skipping Level 1 and going straight to Level 2 for peace of mind.

19/05/2026

The "DIY" Extension
Found an extension or loft conversion that doesn’t have building regulations or planning approval? 🧐 This is a classic "red flag" that can be hard to mortgage. I always recommend asking before a survey for confirmation changes have received approval, especially big changes such as extensions and lofts. If not the rooms are not "habitable" meaning that 4 bed home could now effectively be a 2 bed and this can drastically reduce values without even considering the structural changes that may cause problems longer term, many of which are hidden within the construction so can not be inspected.
The Takeaway: ask the seller to get a retroactive building regulations certificate or provide proof of compliance.

15/05/2026

The Hidden Energy Killer: Poor Insulation
If the survey highlights cold spots, condensation, or inadequate insulation in the loft/walls, your energy bills are going to be high.
The Takeaway: Get a builder or specialist insulation company to check insulation thickness. This is an easy fix that adds value to your new home! ❄️➡️🔥 It is even within the realms of a DIYer to the loft. See this buying guide from Wickes. Don't forget even uneven insulation can cause issues with condensation so ensure it is lovely and even throughout your loft spaces.

Discover Step-by-step DIY guides and expert advice to help you save on energy costs when insulating your loft, and make your home more comfortable with Wickes.

15/05/2026

Japenese knotweed in Japan - fancy that!