Survey costs
Should you expect to pay more only because a house is old?
You should expect the firm to price the time and the level, and age is one reason a Level 3 may be the right product. RICS does not add a fixed sum per century. A small, simple, well-maintained older house can take less time than a large altered modern one. Ask what they have assumed. Do not demand the Level 1 “few hundred pounds” description for a building that needs Level 3.
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Written for buyers in England and Wales unless this answer says otherwise. No named surveyor has signed this page. It is general guidance, not a report on your house, and not legal advice.
What is the fuller explanation?
The consumer guide’s range is descriptive: Level 1 at the lower end, some bespoke Level 3 services over £1,000. Old roofs, hidden valleys, listed fabric and annexes change the visit. Listed status does not by itself multiply the fee by a published factor. Tell them about access, parking and whether the house is occupied. Those change quotations as much as the date stone.
Repairs the report may find are not the fee. A seller’s demand that you “just get a cheap one” is not a specification. There is no heritage surcharge in the RICS range. If the quote seems to be only the year of construction, ask the firm to re-price from the actual building.
What should you ask your surveyor?
- What about this building, other than its age, sets the fee?
- Which level are you quoting, and why?
- What assumptions about access are in the number?
What are the typical next steps?
- Describe the building. Do not only send the year.
- Compare quotes at the same level.
- Do not buy the wrong level to hit a number you saw online.
Costs vary with the building and with who you instruct. Where this page does not cite a published figure, ask the surveyor, a relevant specialist, or your solicitor for a written quote. Do not treat a forum average as the price.
Also asked about this
Is a new build always the cheap survey?
Not always. Snagging, access and warranties change the job. A small new flat can be simpler. Ask.
Does listed mean double?
No published RICS multiplier says that. Listed changes what you must not do later. It may change how long the inspection takes. Get a quote.